Lactose Intolerance

Symptoms often occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat or drink milk products, and are often relieved by not eating or drinking milk products. Large doses of milk products may cause worse symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Gas (flatulence)
• Nausea
• 

  Treatment

  Decreasing or removing milk products from the diet usually improves the symptoms.

  • Try dairy foods that have less lactose than milk, as they may not bother your stomach as much. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar and romano, and yogurt are examples.
  • Drink lactose-reduced and lactose-free milk, which can be found in most grocery stores.
    
  • Talk to your doctor about pills and drops that may make it easier for you to digest milk and dairy products.
  • Try calcium and vitamin D fortified soy milk if you find you can’t tolerate milk at all.
  • Rice milk, Almond milk, and soy milk is also a good source of lactose free milk.
    

  Points to Remember

  • Lactose intolerance is the inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products.
  • Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine.
  • Not all people with lactase deficiency have digestive symptoms, but those who do may have lactose intolerance.
  • Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet.
  • People with lactose intolerance may feel uncomfortable after consuming milk and milk products. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea.
  • The symptoms of lactose intolerance can be managed with dietary changes.
  • Getting enough calcium and vitamin D is a concern for people with lactose intolerance when the intake of milk and milk products is limited. Many foods can provide the calcium and other nutrients the body needs.
  • Talking with a doctor or registered dietitian may be helpful in planning a balanced diet that provides an adequate amount of nutrients—including calcium and vitamin D—and minimizes discomfort. A health professional can determine whether calcium and other dietary supplements are needed.
  • Milk and milk products are often added to processed foods. Checking the ingredients on food labels is helpful in finding possible sources of lactose in food products.   

  
  
  

          Products That Contain Lactose

Milk and milk products are often added to processed foods—foods that have been altered to prolong their shelf  life. People with lactose intolerance should be aware of the many food products that may contain even small amounts of lactose, such as

• bread and other baked goods
• waffles, pancakes, biscuits, cookies, and mixes to make them
• processed breakfast foods such as doughnuts, frozen waffles and pancakes, toaster pastries, and sweet rolls
• processed breakfast cereals
• instant potatoes, soups, and breakfast drinks
• potato chips, corn chips, and other processed snacks
• processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and lunch meats
• margarine
• salad dressings
• liquid and powdered milk-based meal replacements
• protein powders and bars
• candies
• non-dairy liquid and powdered coffee creamers
• non-dairy whipped toppings
  

Check Food Labels

Checking the ingredients on food labels for sources of lactose in food products. If any of the following words are listed on a food label, the product contains lactose:

• milk
• lactose
• whey
• curds
• milk by-products
• dry milk solids
• non-fat dry milk powder
  

 Resource: 

 Medical Encyclopedia : Dept. of Agriculture : Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research:

 National Health Institute : Health Gov.

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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