Lactose is a carbohydrate found in most dairy products, and is made out of two sugar molecules, glucose and galactose, which are linked together. In order for the body to digest and absorb lactose, an enzyme known as lactase must be present in the intestines. Some people do not make enough lactase, which means that they have trouble with digesting foods that contain lactose. This condition, known as lactose intolerance, can be minimized by following a special diet, but it cannot be cured.
Step 1
Introduce lactose-containing foods to your diet gradually. Most people with lactose intolerance can manage their condition by beginning with small amounts of dairy products, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders explains. Start with small amounts of milk or cheese and gradually increase your dairy intake to train your digestive tract to handle lactose.
Step 2
Try a wide variety of dairy products. Different kinds of dairy products have differing amounts of lactose, MayoClinic.com explains. Identifying which dairy products your system can handle can help your digestive tract gradually adapt to digesting lactose.
Step 3
Utilize lactase supplements. If you are lactose intolerant, you do not make enough lactase to fully break down lactose. You can take lactase supplements when you are consuming dairy products to help break down some of the lactose. Training your digestive tract to be able to handle increasing amounts of lactose will allow you to be able to more easily manage your problem. You also can consume foods that have lactase added to them.
Step 4
Consume dairy products only along with other foods. At first your body might have trouble if you eat cheese or drink milk on its own. Combining lactose-containing foods with other food items can make it easier for your digestive tract to handle the lactose, the Food and Drug Administration explains.
