LACTOSE INTOLERANT? ARE YOU SURE?

LACTOSE INTOLERANT? ARE YOU SURE?

First off, lactose intolerance is the incomplete digestion of the lactose in milk due to low levels of the intestinal enzyme lactase.

Lactose intolerance is far less prevalent than commonly believed. Many factors unrelated to lactose including strong beliefs, can contribute to this condition. Studies have demonstrated that among self-described lactose-intolerant individuals, one-third to one-half develop few or no gastrointestinal symptoms following intake of lactose under well-controlled, double-blind studies.

Don’t self-diagnose yourself as lactose intolerant! Even if you experience symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.

This could lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions, expense, nutrient deficiency, and failure to detect or treat a more serious gastrointestinal disorder.

People with real [maldigeston] or perceived lactose intolerance may limit their consumption of dairy foods unnecessarily and jeopardize their intake of calcium and other essential nutrients.

A low intake of calcium is associated with increased risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, and colon cancer.

AVOIDING ALL LACTOSE IS NEITHER NECESSARY NOR RECOMMENDED BECAUSE SOME LACTASE IS STILL BEING PRODUCED!

Lactose maldigestors need to determine the amount of lactose they can comfortably consume at any one time.

Lactose maldigestion is prevalent among Asians, Native Americans, and African Americans. In these individual lactase activity declines with weaning. Lactose maldigestion occurs in about 25% of the U.S. population and in 75% of the worldwide population.

Lactose intolerance can also be secondary to diseases or conditions [e.g., chohn’s disease, celiac disease, gastrointestinal surgery, and certain medications] that injure the intestinal mucosa where lactase is expressed. Secondary lactose maldigestion is temporary, and lactose digestion improves once the underlying causative factor is corrected.

***HERE ARE SOME STRATEGIES for including milk and other dairy foods in your diet without developing symptoms:

1) Initially, consume small servings of lactose-containing foods such as a half cup of milk. Gradually increase the serving size until symptoms begin to appear, then back off.

2) Consume lactose with a meal to improve tolerance.

3) Adjust the type of dairy food. Whole milk may be tolerated better than low-fat milk, and chocolate milk may be tolerated better than unflavored milk. Yogurt with live, active cultures are another option [ the bacteria will digest lactose]

***BOTTOM LINE:

With the exception of a rare inherited disorder in which infants are born without lactase, infants have sufficiently high levels of lactase for normal digestion. However, lactase activity declines with weaning in many racial/ethnic groups.

***DONT SELF DIAGNOSE!!!

Some Dr’s may even be too quick to diagnose you as lactose intolerant. Lactase is produced at some level and lactose should be able to be tolerated at some level. Becoming nutrient deficient is the likely result among other risks.

I hope if you have been told that you are lactose intolerant you look into it further and if you are a self-described individual, then I hope after reading this - some light has been shed on the subject.

Hugs & Health
Bernadette xoxo