Lactose intolerance affects some 30 million American adults, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information's PubMed Health website. Almost all babies are born with the ability to make lactase -- the digestive enzyme needed to break down lactose into two simple sugars -- glucose and galactose -- that your body can easily process. But as you age, your body can stop producing lactase. Taking an enzyme supplement, such as Super Lactase, manufactured by Good 'N Natural, can help you digest diary products containing lactose.
Lactose Intolerance
Infants are born with the ability to make the digestive enzyme lactase so they can absorb the nutrients from breast milk. Premature infants may not produce lactase because that ability develops during the last trimester of pregnancy. As early as 3 years old, some children stop producing lactase -- especially black children. People of Native American, Asian and Mediterranean descent seem to be more likely to become lactose intolerant than those from Western or Northern Europe. Symptoms of lactose intolerance including bloating, gas, cramps and diarrhea, usually occurring 30 minutes to two hours after consuming lactose.
Super Lactase
There is no cure for lactose intolerance. Your choices are avoiding dairy products that contain lactose or taking supplemental lactase enzymes. Green 'N Natural manufactures Super Lactase -- a supplemental lactase enzyme that allows you to digest lactose -- at least temporarily. Super Lactase are non-chewable rapid-release softgels. The recommended dosage is between one and three softgels, taken right before your meal containing lactose. These softgels are meant to be swallowed -- not added to food.
Supplements
Supplemental lactase enzymes are not effective for everyone, warns the Mayo Clinic. The only way to know if they work for you is to try them. Most people with lactose intolerance are able to digest small amounts of dairy -- 4 oz. or less, so start off small and gradually increase your lactose consumption to find your personal tolerance and if a product such as Super Lactase works for you. Cultured dairy products, such as yogurt, may be easier to digest because the live bacteria help break down lactose.
Alternatives
Some dairy products have a lactase enzyme added to them for easier digestion. Other products have the lactose removed so that it's not an issue. Other foods contain the same nutrients that dairy does. If you choose to limit or eliminate dairy from your diet, add almonds, kale, broccoli, bok choy, spinach, tofu, canned salmon and pinto beans to your diet. Many milk substitutes, such as those made from soy or rice, are fortified with calcium and other vitamins or minerals to give them a similar nutritional profile to cow milk.
