Definition
People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in milk. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas, and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable.
• Inability to utilize lactose may be due to lactase insufficiency.
• In the absence of lactase, lactose remains not hydrolyzed to glucose and galactose.
Failure to gain weight is an important symptom in infants.
Congenital Lactose Intolerance:
• Symptoms occur following the ingestion of milk by the infant.
Secondary lactose intolerance is often observed following gastrectomy or extensive small bowel resection. And in celiac disease, sprue, colitis, enteritis, cystic fibrosis, kwashiorkor, and malnutrition
•Therefore, in these conditions, it may be necessary to omit obvious sources of lactose initially.
But a strict lactose–free diet is usually not required.
DIETARY COUNSELING
• Milk, cream soups, puddings, custards, ice cream must remain limited in symptomatic adults.
• Milk is better tolerated for some patients in small amounts several times a day or with meals and at room temperature rather than cold.
The protein intake may remain increased by adding meat, fish, poultry or eggs, lactose-free milk substitutes, or cereals.
• Chocolate milk is sometimes better tolerated than plain milk.
This may remain related to a slower emptying rate from the stomach.
Individuals failing to respond to a lactose-controlled diet may need to restrict lactose intake further.
• Fermented farm products such as yogurt, buttermilk, and cheese may remain included if tolerated.
• Lactose remains used in the production of many foods and medicines.
Read labels of commercial products before use.
• Foods containing milk, butter, margarine are to remain avoided.
• Sources of lactose include pieces of bread, candies, soups, and so on.
Lactose Restricted diet:
• Milk and milk products like cheese, butter, margarine, cream, and any item remain prepared with them.
• Eliminate all sources of lactose.
The calorie level may remain increased by adding high carbohydrate foods such as fruits, sugar, and desserts free of lactose.
• All milk and milk products must remain eliminated. The diet is inadequate in calcium and riboflavin. Supplements of these nutrients should remain prescribed.
Types and Causes
• There are four types of lactose intolerance, and they all have different causes.
Primary lactose intolerance
It is the most common form. The body typically stops making lactase by about age 5 (as early as age 2 for African-Americans). As lactase levels decrease, dairy products become harder to digest.
People with primary lactose intolerance make a lot less lactase.
Therefore, it makes dairy products hard to digest by adulthood.
The situation began by genes and is common among people of an African, Asian, Mediterranean, and southern European background
Secondary lactose intolerance
Moreover, happens because of an injury, illness, or possibly operation.
Any of these can affect the small intestine and cause it to make less lactase.
Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease occur in two of the most common intestinal diseases linked to low lactase.
Developmental lactose intolerance
Eventually, it happens in babies who are born precipitately. It usually goes away on its own, lasting for only a short time after birth.
Congenital lactose intolerance
However, it is very rare and happens when the small intestine produces no lactase (or a very small amount of it) from birth.
Hence, It’s a hereditary disorder, and both parents have to pass the gene on to their children.
General Guidelines To Help You Manage Lactose Intolerance
add small amounts of lactose-containing foods and beverages to his meals gradually to determine the tolerance of lactose. you may be able to afford up to half a cup of milk or its equivalent at each meal.
drink milk in batches equivalent to one cup or less each.
eat a little lactose hard cheese like cheddar cheese.
drink milk with meals or other foods.
replace 100% lactose-free, lactose-free dairy products with regular dairy products that can stand purchased from the dairy section of most grocery stores.
lactase is available in tablet form to help you tolerate lactose-containing foods. 1-3 tablets should remain taken, However, depending on the degree of lactose tolerance, before eating.
take lactose-free canned supplements and check the food label on the packaging
