Fat and lactose exist naturally in a wide variety of foods. Eating a diet that is high or low in foods that contain lactose or fat carries both potential risks and benefits. Your body needs a healthy balance of all of the essential nutrients in order to function properly. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your current intake of fat or lactose.
Fat
Fats are natural substances that perform a variety of important functions. According to MedlinePlus.com, fats provide your body with energy, calories and insulation. Fats also supply your body with essential fatty acids, including a type of fatty acid called linoleic acid that your body cannot produce on its own. These fatty acids work in your body to help promote proper brain development and to inhibit dangerous blood clotting and inflammation.
Lactose
Lactose is a sugar that is present in milk and in products made from milk. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), your body uses an enzyme called lactase to break down the lactose molecules that you consume. Those who do not possess this enzyme will not be able to digest lactose molecules. If you are lactose intolerant, consuming lactose can cause unpleasant symptoms such as gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Lactose-Free Diet
Making some adjustments to your diet can help prevent or reduce the occurrence of unpleasant symptomsrelated to lactose intolerance. Adopting a lactose-free diet involves avoiding foods containing lactose such as milk, soft cheeses and ice cream. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), processed foods like salad dressing, whipped cream, bread, margarine and coffee creamer can also contain traces of lactose. Adopting a lactose-free diet does not necessarily require removing milk from your diet completely. In place of regular milk, you can try drinking milk products that contain the lactase enzyme necessary to break down lactose.
High-Fat Diet
According to MedlinePlus.com, eating a diet high in fat increases your risks for obesity, heart disease, cancer and heart attacks. Fats like saturated fats and trans fatty acids can increase your LDL cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in foods like fatty meat, whole milk, cheese and butter. Trans fatty acids are present in fried foods and in processed foods. While unsaturated fats may help reduce cholesterol levels, these fats tend to be high in calories. Unsaturated fats include oils like corn oil, fish oil, canola oil and olive oil.
Warning
According to MedlinePlus.com, both fat and cholesterol play a vital role in brain development. Therefore, children younger than two years of age should not be placed on a low-fat diet. If you have to cease your consumption of milk and milk-based products due to lactose intolerance, be sure to pay special attention to your calcium intake. Over time, not getting enough calcium can lead to problems like osteoporosis. While milk is among the most abundant sources of calcium, calcium is also present in non-dairy foods like green vegetables, salmon, pinto beans, oranges and sardines.
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