Lactose is a carbohydrate that is found in dairy products. Some people develop digestive problems, such as gas, diarrhea and flatulence when they consume foods with lactose. This condition is known as lactose intolerance and while it does not pose a serious medical problem, it can cause significant discomfort. Treatment options for this condition are limited, as there are no medications that can definitively "cure" lactose intolerance.
Lactose Intolerance Mechanism
To understand how lactose intolerance can be treated, it is important to understand the physiology behind lactose intolerance. In order for your digestive tract to absorb lactose, you have to break down the lactose into its composite sugars. In order to do this, your digestive tract uses an enzyme known as lactase. If you have lactose intolerance, you don't make enough lactase, which means you can't break down and absorb this carbohydrates, which is what causes your symptoms, the Cleveland Clinic states.
"Drugs" For Lactose Intolerance
The only type of drug you can take to treat lactose intolerance is lactase supplements, Drugs.com notes. Lactase supplements are preparations of the enzyme that your digestive tract lacks. You can take these supplements, such as Lactaid and SureLac, along with dairy products to help break down the lactose. As long as the lactose is broken down, your digestive tract will be able to absorb the resulting sugars.
Probiotics
Your digestive tract naturally contains some bacteria that do not cause any health problems and help break down food. Probiotic supplements can be used to boost the levels of these "healthy" bacteria, which may help aid in the breakdown of lactose in your intestines. In theory, probiotic supplements can help treat lactose intolerance, though a 2005 article in the "Journal of Family Practice" notes that research on the effectiveness of probiotics for lactose intolerance has yielded mixed results. In addition, dairy products that contain live bacteria may be tolerated as the bacteria can break down some of the lactose in the food, MayoClinic.com states.
Considerations
Although lactase supplements can help reduce the symptoms of lactose intolerance, there is no true "cure" for this disorder. The only way to completely eliminate symptoms is to avoid all lactose-containing products. Some people can gradually develop a tolerance to lactose by starting with small amounts of dairy products and gradually increasing the amount you consume.
