If you suffer from lactose intolerance, heating milk may make some dairy products more tolerable for you. Before attempting any preventive treatment for lactose intolerance, talk with your doctor to ensure safety. If you're lactose intolerant, you develop gas, bloating, cramping and diarrhea after ingesting dairy products. Not everyone is intolerant to lactose to the same degree. Some people may be able to digest certain dairy products that you cannot. Lactose intolerance is incurable, but some medications and dietary changes can help prevent symptoms.
About
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive condition that is caused by the inability to digest the sugar found in milk products. Lactose is a complex sugar that needs to be broken down into glucose and galactose for it to be absorbed into the body. Lactase is the enzyme needed to properly digest the lactose. Because your body cannot digest the lactose, it goes undigested until it reaches the colon. In the colon, the lactose comes into contact with various types of bacteria, which is the cause of most symptoms. The interaction with bacteria causes the colon to expel the waste as quickly as possible, leading to diarrhea.
Symptoms
Most symptoms of lactose intolerance begin during adolescence when your small intestines naturally stop producing as much lactase. Some bodies stop producing too much lactase, which results in lactose intolerance. Symptoms typically develop within 20 to 30 minutes after you eat dairy but could take up to a few hours before you develop symptoms. The most common symptoms include bloating, gas, cramping and diarrhea. Once you've ingested dairy products, your symptoms are untreatable. You need to wait for your body to naturally expel the lactose for symptoms to subside.
Heated Milk
According to the University of Oregon, heating milk may be easier to digest for some people who are lactose intolerant. Some dairy products are heated during the manufacturing process, such as custard, pudding, yogurt, soups and condensed milk. Ingest a measured amount of these products to determine if they cause symptoms. If heated milk products continue to cause symptoms, take a dietary lactase supplement before the first bite or sip of the milk product. When taken as directed, the supplement can prevent common symptoms.
Consideration
Lactose intolerance does not cause any other symptoms, such as hives, asthma or nasal congestion. Any other symptoms may be related to a milk allergy. A milk allergy is not the same condition as lactose intolerance. A milk allergy is a more serious condition that could cause minor to severe reactions. Your doctor can diagnose your condition.
