Between 30 and 50 million Americans have lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest milk and dairy according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Those who cannot digest lactose experience stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhea upon ingestion of this sugar. Lactose intolerance can be genetically inherited and cause a bowel disorder such as Crohns disease.
Lactaid
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse suggests using dietary supplements to facilitate lactose digestion. Lactaid is one brand of dairy digestive supplements incorporating 9,000 units of lactase per tablet. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down dairy sugars into absorbable molecules. Available in chewable tablets or capsules, Lactaid can be taken at the start of a dairy-rich meal or with a dairy food. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders suggests Lactaid use to reduce symptoms of gas and bloating, a common byproduct of improper dairy digestion.
SureLac
Another form of lactase, SureLac tablets are an over-the-counter dairy digestive supplement. Those with difficulty digesting dairy may carry these tablets and take one at the start of consuming any meal or food containing lactose. Drugs.com suggests taking another tablet within 45 minutes if dairy is still being consumed, such as in an ice cream after dinner. Lactase enzymes are not meant for children under the age of 4, according to Drugs.com.
Dairy Care
In contrast to the other mentioned dairy digestive supplements, Dairy Care must be taken as a daily supplement rather than at the time of dairy ingestion. True Prism Technologies, the creators of Dairy Care, suggest that daily consumption will provide around-the-clock dairy digestion so you are covered, for example, if you eat a food that you did not realize included dairy. This supplement does not contain the enzyme lactase, it contains a probiotic meant to sit in the intestines and assist with dairy digestion. Dairy Care has cultures similar to those found in yogurt called Lactobacillus acidophilus.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Lactose Intolerance
- International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Controlling Gas
- International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Lactose Intolerance
- Lactaid: Lactaid Fast Act Chewables
- Drugs.com: Lactase
- Dairy Care: Innovative and Effective
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