How to know if you are lactose intolerant and what to do about it

What is lactose

Lactose (aka milk sugar) is a disaccharide carbohydrate found in milk and dairy products. In order for the body to absorb lactose, it must be broken down into glucose and galactose. This is done by lactase, an enzyme produced in the small intestine.

It happens that there is too little lactase to completely break down lactose. Milk sugar is not completely processed and is sent to the large intestine. There he begins to wander under the influence of bacteria, and the person develops characteristic symptoms. This is called lactose intolerance, it can be encounteredLactose intolerance 65% of the world's population. At least 16-18% of Russian residents sufferThe spread of hypolactasia among the world population the same, and for individual nationalities in the country, this figure may exceed 80%.

The most commonEverything You Need to Know About Lactose Intolerance type - primary intolerance. In infancy, lactase is produced in the required amount, so there are no problems with milk consumption. The child grows, other foods appear in his diet, and the level of lactase gradually decreases. Usually adults have enough enzyme to digest milk normally, but in some cases lactase production drops dramatically, hence the problem.

With secondary intolerance, lactase levels may decreaseLactose intolerance causes due to surgery on the small intestine or certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease. With timely and competent treatment, the lactase level can be restored.

Rarely, but congenital lactose intolerance still occurs - this condition can be transmittedLactose intolerance from generation to generation. In infants with congenital intolerance, diarrhea begins even from breast milk. If the problem is not noticed in time, there may be a risk to the child's life.

How does lactose intolerance manifest?

It is quite easy to suspect this condition in yourself. Here are typicalWhat Are the Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance? symptoms:

• Bloating.
• Pain or cramps in the stomach.
• Increased gas formation.
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting.
• Diarrhea.

Such manifestations can be characteristic of other diseases, so it is important to understand whether the discomfort is associated with the use of dairy products. Typically, with lactase deficiency, symptoms will show up within 30 minutes to 2 hours after you drink a glass of milk.

To know for sure that lactose intolerance is to blame for feeling unwell, and not stale curd cheese, it is better to consult a doctor. Survey methods includeLactose intolerance in children and adults analysis of stool acidity and determination of the carbohydrate content in it, as well as breath hydrogen tests and a glycemic load test with lactose.

If you have a difficult relationship with lactose, this does not mean that you need to give up dairy products and fresh cheeses once and for all. In the line of Italian cheeses Unagrande lactose-free mozzarella has recently appeared.

At the stage of cooking, the enzyme lactase is added to the milk, which breaks down the milk sugar. Taste lactose-free mozzarella is no different from the usual one, but you can forget about digestive problems.

What to do if milk gets bad

The solution seems to be obvious: since after consuming dairy products, you feel sick and twist in your stomach, you just need to exclude them from the diet. But you don't need to do this. First, milk is a source of protein that you need to build muscle. Milk also contains calcium, which is necessary for bones, and potassium - it helps to maintain a good cardiovascular system.

Secondly, lactose intolerance in humans is manifestedEating, Diet, & Nutrition for Lactose Intolerance in different ways: one gets sick even from a small amount of milk, while others can drink a whole glass without any special consequences. It happens that fermented milk products like yogurt or cheese do not cause such a violent reaction as milk.

It is simply not worth giving up milk just in case. Try keeping a food diary: write down what, when and how much you ate or drank, and then note how your body reacted to it. It is important to find your norm: it is quite possible that drinking milk in small doses does not cause you no problems, but after a couple of glasses in one gulp it is better not to plan anything serious for the next 2 hours.

If your body is determined and even a cup of coffee with milk is unsettling, try adding lactose-free dairy products to your diet. The milk sugar in them is already broken down by lactase. The taste of such products does not differ from ordinary milk, fresh cheeses or yogurt, and also contain the same vitamins and minerals.