When there is an absence of particular enzymes in the body, food intolerance can result. Food intolerances affect many people, causing physical discomfort and limiting the types of food that affected people are able to eat. Healthcastle.com reports that over 70 percent of people in the world have lactose intolerance: trouble digesting milk and dairy products.
What is Lactose Intolerance
The natural sugar that is in milk is called lactose. The enzyme lactase is needed to digest the lactose, and people without it or who produce less of it as they get older are classified as being lactose intolerant. These people have trouble digesting most milk and dairy products and often need to avoid consuming them. Not only will eating lactose cause discomfort for lactose intolerant individuals, but when lactose is not digested properly, bacterial colonies can grow in the intestines.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are stomachache, cramps, diarrhea and flatulence. The severity of the intolerance can differ from person to person. Healthcastle.com reports that lactose intolerance is often genetic and the populations most affected by it are of African, Asian, and Mediterranean descent. Many people determine if they have the condition according to their symptoms, but you can get a definitive diagnosis from your doctor through blood or breath-hydrogen tests.
About Yogurt
Most with lactose intolerance need to avoid dairy products, including cheese, ice cream, sour cream, condensed milk and evaporated milk. However, many are able to eat yogurt. Healthcastle.com reports that the probiotics in yogurt can help with lactose digestion, making it tolerable by those who suffer with other types of dairy products. The National Institute of Health explains that probiotics are similar to the good bacteria found in our gut, which help with digestion. However, frozen yogurt lacks the bacterial cultures found in regular yogurt.
Calcium
The ability to eat yogurt is good news for most with lactose intolerance, because it provides a healthy source of calcium. Since people who are lactose intolerant cannot consume most dairy foods, which are high in calcium, they need to make sure that they are getting enough of it either through other foods or by taking supplements. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that good food sources of calcium besides dairy foods include, rhubarb, sardines, spinach, salmon, soy milk, oranges, broccoli, pinto beans, green lettuce and tuna.
Treatment
The degree of lactose intolerance varies from person to person; while some people must avoid dairy foods altogether, others are able to handle eating small quantities. Askdrsears.com reports that eating yogurt can help lactose intolerant people. Dr. Sears says that the live active cultures in yogurt create lactase, which is the enzyme needed to digest lactose. Additionally yogurt contains beta-galactosidase, which is another enzyme that can help in lactose digestion.
