People with lactose intolerance have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is most common in African-American and Asian adults and not as common in children of any ethnicity, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Symptoms include gas, bloating, abdominal cramping, flatulence, nausea and diarrhea. The best way to prevent the symptoms is to avoid consuming milk products. But if you can't live without milk products, you may be able to eat them without discomfort by taking a few precautions.
Cause
When you eat, your body releases several enzymes to break down the food and access the nutrients. The enzyme lactase breaks down lactose. People with lactose intolerance either do not make enough lactase or do not make it at all. Symptoms may set in within minutes of ingestion and vary from mild to severe depending on the amount of lactase you naturally produce. Lactose intolerance is not a life-threatening condition, but it is distressing and potentially embarrassing, especially if you experience the symptoms in a public setting.
Lactase Enzymes
You can buy chewable lactase enzymes over the counter at most drugstores. These products are available in the digestive aid aisle. Take the lactase enzyme before eating milk products to help you digest them and reduce or prevent symptoms.
Lactose-reduced Products
Lactose-reduced products are milk products that have been treated to have less milk sugar than conventional products. These products are available in the dairy and freezer aisles in most large chain grocery stores. You can consume these products right out of the container without having to take additional supplements. If you are severely intolerant, you may not be able to consume even lactose-reduced dairy products without discomfort.
Conventional Dairy
You may find that some dairy products affect you differently than other. For example, some people digest yogurt and cheese more easily than milk or ice cream. One brand of dairy may also produce a stronger reaction than another. If you prefer not to use enzymes or lactose-reduced products, experiment at home with different products to see which cause a strong reaction. You may also find that you can tolerate small amounts of milk products or that your reaction is less severe if you consume them with nondairy products.
References
- "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology"; Gerard J. Tortora, et al.; 2010
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Lactose Intolerance
- KidsHealth: Lactose Intolerance
