Lactose intolerance is a medical condition that occurs when your body fails to produce the enzyme known as lactase. Lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products, consists of two simple sugar molecules -- glucose and galactose -- bound together. During the process of digestion, the cells lining the small intestine produce lactase which functions to break the bond so the body can absorb the sugar. To manage your symptoms of lactose intolerance you must restrict your consumption of dairy foods, which includes condensed milk.
Condensed Milk
Condensed milk, also known as sweetened condensed milk, is a thick, sweet milk product sold in a can. Originally created to provide a safe milk product that needed no refrigeration, it is a common ingredient in cooking and baking. Manufacturers produce condensed milk by heating regular milk to evaporate some of the water from the milk, then adding sugar. The high sugar content prevents the growth of microorganisms, which extends the shelf life. Due to the removal of the water, condensed milk contains a higher lactose content than regular milk. A 1 cup serving of milk contains 11 g of lactose while the same size serving of condensed milk contains an average of 40 g of lactose.
Treatment
No specific treatment exists for lactose intolerance. Doctors cannot prescribe a medicine to increase your level of lactase in your small intestine. To effectively manage your symptoms, restrict your intake of lactose-containing foods. Because the degree of lactose intolerance varies from person to person, some must remove all lactose form their diet while others may tolerate some lactose. For those who still want to drink milk, many manufacturers produce lactose-free milk. Some dairy products contain less lactose than fluid milk, including yogurt and cheese. Most who suffer from lactose intolerance should avoid products that contain higher lactose levels, like evaporated milk and condensed milk.
Hidden Lactose
Patients suffering from lactose intolerance must carefully read food labels and the list of ingredients. In general, most people do not drink condensed milk, so avoiding it in your diet seems simple. However, baked goods and no-bake pies often contain condensed milk. This means eating a piece of cake, a brownie or lemon pie could trigger your symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Symptoms
Lactose intolerance causes digestive symptoms that resemble the symptoms of many other digestive diseases. The symptoms, which usually occur 30 minutes to two hours after consuming products like condensed milk, include gas, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. Because these symptoms occur in other conditions like irritable bowel disease, keeping a food diary can help you and your doctor determine the cause. Doctors can also perform tests like the hydrogen breath test or the lactose tolerance test to provide a definitive diagnosis.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Pyramid -- Milk
- The Ohio State University Medical Center: Lactose Intolerance
- MayoClinic.com: Lactose Intolerance; February 2010
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Lactose Intolerance; June 2009
- National Dairy Council: Lactose Content of Milk and Other Dairy Products; 2000
