Lactose, or milk sugar, is the only sugar of animal origin. It is a disaccharide, which is a combination of two simpler monosaccharides -- galactose and glucose. Lactose is broken into its monosaccharide constituents by an enzyme called lactase in your intestine. Many people stop making lactase shortly after they are weaned, which can cause problems with milk digestion. If you have an intestinal disorder, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or celiac disease, lactase deficiency could aggravate your condition.
Lactose Intolerance
Scientists at the University of Kansas School of Medicine report that nearly 100 percent of individuals in some ethnic groups, such as Asians and Native Americans, cannot digest lactose by the time they reach adulthood. In fact, humans lose 90 to 95 percent of their birth levels of lactase by early childhood. If you have insufficient lactase levels in your intestine, consumption of milk products typically leads to bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea. These symptoms could be caused by an underlying intestinal disease.
Colitis
Ulcerative colitis, often simply called colitis or UC, is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and erosion of the lining of your colon. This condition usually waxes and wanes, and dietary indiscretions, such as milk consumption, can trigger an episode. Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss and dehydration are symptoms of active UC. According to a November 2007 "American Family Physician" review, UC most often begins between the ages of 15 and 40, when lactose intolerance also frequently occurs.
Treatment
Lactose intolerance is addressed by avoiding dairy products or by supplementing milk-containing meals with commercial preparations of lactase. Ulcerative colitis is treated with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs, immunomodulating medications, anti-diarrheal agents, probiotics, fluid replacement and, occasionally, blood transfusions. Surgery is required to control UC in one-third of patients. Avoidance of raw fruits and vegetables helps reduce trauma to the lining of your colon. A milk-free diet is only necessary if it decreases your symptoms.
Considerations
People with UC only need to adhere to a milk-free diet if it is beneficial. However, if you have UC and you are lactase deficient, consumption of dairy products could trigger an episode or worsen ongoing symptoms. If you are concerned about lactose intolerance, your doctor can order a breath hydrogen test to see if you are lactase deficient, but this test requires the consumption of a measured dose of lactose. Since this could aggravate your UC if you are lactase deficient, avoidance of dairy products might be more prudent.
References
- "Staying Healthy with Nutrition: Disaccharides"; Elson M. Haas, M.D.; 2006
- "American Family Physician"; Lactose Intolerance; D.L. Swagerty, et al.; May 2002
- "American Family Physician"; Ulcerative Colitis: Diagnosis and Treatment; R.C. Langan; November 2007
- "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 18th Edition: Ulcerative Colitis"; Mark H. Beers, M.D., Editor-in-Chief; 2006
