Lactose Intolerance

About the Allergy
Foods to Avoid
More Information and Links

About the Allergy

What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is the body's' inability to correctly digest lactose containing products. Lactose intolerance results from insufficient amounts of lactase, an enzyme that breaks up lactose. Normally the body is able to breakdown lactose into two simple sugars: galactose and glucose. However, when the lactase enzyme is not present, lactose is not broken down and is not tolerated by the body, resulting in a reaction.

What are symptoms of Lactose Intolerance?
Depending on the degree to which a person is intolerant to lactose he/she will suffer from different symptoms. Symptoms include: diarrhea, bloating, cramping, overall gastrointestinal discomfort, and gas. These symptoms can arise as soon as 30 minutes and as late as 2 hours after having consumed a form of lactose. The more sensitive one is to lactose the more worse the reaction will be.

Foods to Avoid

What is Lactose in?
Lactose can be found in a variety of foods including: milk, cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, and any dairy products. There are certain cheeses and yogurts that are tolerated because they have very low levels of lactose. There are some foods such as baked goods, salad dressings, margarine, and various beverages that may have hidden forms of lactose. Just as with any intolerance, labels should always be read to ensure there is no lactose in the product. If you are ever unsure of a product, it's best to avoid it all together.

More Information and Links

What about Calcium?
Apart from taking a calcium supplement there are various foods with no lactose or very little lactose that can be consumed to meet daily calcium needs. Pinto beans, broccoli, soymilk, and fortified orange juice are great sources of calcium. If you choose to use a supplement make sure to buy one that is made from calcium citrate or calcium carbonate (they are better absorbed by the body). Also, keep in mind that your body cannot absorb more than 500 mg of calcium at once. Taking a supplement twice a day may be most beneficial.

For more information check out this website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/lactose-intolerance/DS00530

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