This is known aslactose intolerance.
Lactose is the natural sugar in milk and dairy foods.
Your small intestine produces anenzymecalled lactase to break this sugar down for digestion.
Lactose Intolerance Symptoms
Worldwide, upwards of 70% of adults are lactose intolerant.
Causes of Lactose Intolerance
Your body stops making lactase by age 5.
From there, levels of this enzyme decrease.
For some, a naturally occurring bacteria called lactic acid bacteria can take over for the missing lactase.
But even with that present, that may not be enough to digest lactose.
It is only after this that it eventually leaves the body in feces.
Approximately 30 million American adults have some degree of lactose intolerance by the time they are 20 years old.
The decrease in the lactase enzyme, called lactose non-persistence, is the most common cause of lactose intolerance.
Genetics is the least common cause.
Others may experience lactose intolerance due to a digestive disorder.
Conditions such asCrohn’s diseaseorceliac diseasecan damage the intestinal cells that produce lactase.
Lactose intolerance may be triggered by an illness, injury, or surgery that affects your small intestine.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance in children are the same as those in adults.
Keep in mind that breastmilk and infant formula made with cow’s milk both contain lactose.
Lactose Intolerance or Dairy Allergy?
Adairy allergy is not the sameas lactose intolerance.
Symptoms of dairy allergy are different from those of lactose intolerance.
Many people determine that they or their child has lactose intolerance simply because they experience symptoms after consuming dairy.
While your assumption may prove true, remember that other medical problems can produce similar symptoms.
Examples include infection, inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption, and food allergy.
It is important to eliminate only dairy when doing this.
Otherwise, you won’t be as certain about what foods trigger your symptoms.
Adults are less likely to “cure” their intolerance.
Treatment, therefore, is focused on management.
Diet Changes
You may find that cutting out all dairy makes you feel your best.
However, this may not be necessary for everyone.
Lactose-free milk and lactose-free ice cream are available in most grocery stores.
Be sure to follow the package directions when taking these to have the beneficial effects when needed.
Probioticshelpful bacteria that naturally live in thedigestive tractmay also help ease symptoms in some people with lactose intolerance.
Complications of Lactose Intolerance
If you have severe lactose intolerance, some complications can occur.
Some people who have lactose intolerance avoid all dairy products.
As a result, they can become deficient in essential nutrients such ascalcium,vitamin D, and protein.
These deficiencies can cause several health effects, such as bone fragility.
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