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Lactose Intolerance Diet - Dealing With Milk Digestion Issues

A lactose intolerance diet will help you if you experience stomach problems every time you eat dairy products. You might be suffering from lactose intolerance, a condition that develops when your body is unable to metabolise lactose.

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Some people cannot digest lactose as the enzyme lactase which is required for its metabolism is either absent or is available in very small amounts in the body. When lactose containing foods are digested, the body produces large amounts of gas which in turn causes symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and flatulence. Lactose intolerance is sometimes confused with milk allergy. A milk allergy differs from lactose intolerance as if you suffer from a milk allergy your body has an abnormal immune response usually to milk proteins, whereas with lactose intolerance you are unable to metabolise the lactose due to a deficiency in lactase.

Lactose Intolerance Test

The tests done to confirm lactose intolerance are:
  1. Hydrogen breath test: The patient is required to fast overnight after which they are fed 50grams of lactose. If the lactose is unable to be digested, enteric bacteria metabolise it and produce hydrogen which is detected by the test.
  2. Stool acidity: This test is used to diagnose lactose intolerance in infants where other tests cannot be carried out.
  3. Intestinal biopsy: This test is usually carried out after conducting a hydrogen breath test to confirm the diagnosis.

What Can You Eat When You Have Lactose Intolerance?

Foods that contain lactose include milk, cheese, yoghurt, ice cream, margarine, cookies, breads and desserts. Most lactose intolerance sufferers can tolerate small amounts of lactose in their diet. The main concern for lactose intolerance sufferers is obtaining an adequate amount of calcium in their diets. Calcium is required for strong bones and teeth. They are various foods you can include into your diet that will be able to provide you with the calcium you would normally be getting from dairy products. Good sources of calcium include canned salmon, calcium fortified orange juice, almonds, yoghurt, tofu, cabbage and broccoli. In the past lactose intolerance sufferers were recommended to stay away from all dairy products. However, modern day treatments recommend you try various foods and personally determine what foods exactly you are intolerant to.

Lactase Supplements

Suffering from lactose intolerance does not have to mean that you will never be able to consume any lactose containing foods. Lactase enzyme supplements are available that can help you digest lactose.

In summary, a lactose intolerance diet should include foods that will provide you with plenty of calcium.

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