How to Prevent Lactose Intolerance

How to Prevent Lactose Intolerance
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Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest milk products. Consuming milk products results in stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and excessive gas. Lactose intolerance occurs because your small intestines do not have a sufficient supply of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, or the milk sugar. Older patients of African American, Asian or American Indian background are more likely to be lactose intolerant. You should be aware of changes you can make to your lifestyle to reduce your lactose intolerance.

Step 1

Reduce the amount of dairy products you consume to prevent symptoms of lactose intolerance. If you can reduce your consumption of dairy products, your lactose intolerance will improve.

Step 2

Drink milk with food to prevent lactose intolerance. Drinking milk with food will slow digestion and may prevent the development of symptoms.

Step 3

Take a lactase enzyme pill to prevent lactose intolerance. It will provide your digestive system with the enzyme necessary to break down lactose milk sugar. Because you can break it down effectively, you will not have symptoms of lactose intolerance.

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: Jan 23, 2011

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