Lactose Free Information

Being lactose free can be devastating to some, but it does happen and you must learn to deal the best with the situation. Do you commonly experience cramps, bloating and gas? How about diarrhea and nausea? Although these symptoms may be signs of another digestive problem such as IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you could be lactose intolerant.


If one is lactose intolerant, the individual is unable to digest the product called lactose. Lactose is actually a sugar which is milk and milk by-products. How does one become lactose intolerant? There are enzymes called lactose which are created by the small intestine lining’s cells. These unique enzymes break down the lactose into simple sugars called galactose and glucose so the blood stream can absorb it much easier.


This condition generally doesn’t develop until after 2 years of age as this is when the body can begin producing a lesser amount of lactase. It could be inherited, due to the small intestines being injured or due to a medical illness such as celiac disease, chemotherapy or Crohn’s disease. Adults are affected more than children and the reason for this in unknown.


Generally, one who is lactose intolerant will feel uncomfortable about 30 minutes to around 2 hours after they have ingested milk or any milk products. The individual may feel abdominal pain, bloating and/or gas, nausea and diarrhea. Each of these symptoms may be mild to severe depending upon the amount of dairy consumed and their level of pain tolerance.


Becoming lactose free is relatively easy for most sufferers. By making a few simple changes in their daily diet, the symptoms will quickly disappear especially if the tolerance level is minimal. However, there are some who may experience a more severe case of intolerance. 


What changes can you do first before seeking further assistance? If you don’t want to be totally lactose free, try ingesting milk or milk products with a regular meal rather than by themselves. One could also try to only consume those dairy products that have a smaller amount of milk in them. 


There are also over the counter products that one could try as well; these are found at your local pharmacy and in drop or tablet form. These products contain the lactase enzyme and are taken when drinking milk or eating a milk product. If these simple changes do not help to reduce the condition, a visit with their physician should be able to resolve the issue.


The qualified medical provider can determine if the individual does indeed have intolerance to lactose and should be lactose free to be healthier. Basic tests can be ran to determine the intolerance level and the results can help determine the best resolution to the medical condition. We consume milk and its by-products for its calcium benefits which we need for our bones and teeth. A lack of calcium could lead to osteoporosis or other skeletal problems later in life which we need to avoid. 


Many people are actually unable to consume the amounts of milk and milk products that they would like, but are able to still enjoy their favorite dairy products by simple changes in their diet. For those who are lactose free, they are still able to obtain the necessary calcium their body requires while still enjoying their favorite foods. 

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