Continuing from my Quick Tip around lactose intolerance and how the body can sometimes be resistant to dairy products, here are 7 facts everyone should read to be more aware around this debilitating condition!

1. It’s all in the enzymes.

Normally, your body produces an enzyme called lactase. When you drink a glass of milk or eat cottage cheese, lactase helps you break down the milk sugar lactose into simpler sugars that are absorbed into your bloodstream. Lactose intolerance occurs when you have a lactase deficiency.

2. You should involve your doctor.

Some illnesses have stomach symptoms similar to those of lactose intolerance. Your doctor can help you pinpoint the cause of your complaints. He or she may start by asking you to remove all dairy from your diet to see if you feel better. Breath tests or tests of your stool can confirm the diagnosis.

3. Not everyone has symptoms.

Undigested lactose can produce a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms within two hours of consuming dairy. These include bloating, nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, you can have a lactase deficiency and have no signs at all.

4. You usually grow into it.

A few babies are lactose intolerant from birth and must drink lactose-free formula instead of breast milk. However, most people who are lactose intolerant lose their ability to digest milk sometime after infancy. Usually, this occurs between ages 2 and 12, though you may not experience symptoms until late adolescence or adulthood.

5. It’s not an allergy.

Milk allergy is less common but more harmful than lactose intolerance. If you’re allergic to milk, your body fights dairy as if it were a harmful invader. Symptoms are typically more severe and can include wheezing, itchy eyes, and rash. People with this allergy must avoid milk products entirely.

6. Not all dairy is off limits.

Unlike those with allergies, most people with lactose intolerance can drink up to a half-cup of milk with no symptoms. Other dairy products have lower levels of lactose and may be even easier to digest. These include hard or aged cheeses and yogurt.

7. Dietary changes can relieve symptoms.

Start with small doses of dairy and see if you can increase your intake over time. Lactose-free and reduced-lactose milk are increasingly available, as are soy milk and other milk substitutes. Finally, taking over-the-counter lactase drops or tablets can help you digest dairy.

© 2017 Ashishh Gupta