Have you ever had watery diarrhea, bloating, excessive flatus, nausea and abdominal cramps after ingesting food containing lactose? If you have experienced any of the combination above, you are probably lactose intolerant.
Overview
Step 1
Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize the sugar lactose, because the body lacks the enzyme lactase in the digestive system. Lactose, being a disaccharide, cannot be absorbed through the wall of the small intestine into the bloodstream, so in the absence of the lactase enzyme, lactose present in ingested dairy products remains undigested and passes intact into the colon. Then the action of the bacteria in the intestines will try to ferment and digest the lactose, which leads to the abdominal symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, acid reflux and flatulence.
Step 2
Unknowingly, there are a lot of lactose-containing ingredients and food out there. According to HealthandFinesse.com, these are among the foods that contain lactose: cheese, buttermilk, cream, milk, ice cream, hot chocolate mixes, malted milk, sherbet, sour cream, sweet acidophilus or lactobacillus milk, whey, yogurt with or without live cultures, and even some medication tablets and capsules contain lactose. Keep in mind that anything that contains any of these foodstuffs can also make your lactose intolerance act up. Examples of these are bread, instant mashed potato, pancakes, doughnuts, pastries, some cereals, chocolates and candies.
Step 3
Fortunately for lactose intolerant people, you don't have to completely abstain from lactose-containing foods in your diet. The lactase enzyme that is usually absent in lactose-intolerant people can be purchased in supplement form, or those who are lactose intolerant can also buy products such as milk and cottage cheese that already have the lactose removed.
Step 4
Basically, you can take lactose out of milk by adding sufficient amounts of the lactase enzyme to it. It may come in powder form or in caplets. By adding lactase enzyme to the milk, you break down the disaccharide lactose into two simple sugars, galactose, and glucose, making the lactose in the milk easier to digest and without discomfort.
Step 5
No matter what kind of lactose intolerance you have, you will still have the capacity to enjoy almost every dairy product there is as long as you add the enzyme lactose to it, or you take lactose supplements that may be available in chewables or tablets. But, before taking anything, please consult your doctor if this route is right for you.
Member Comments