If you keep getting bloated, gassy and uncomfortable when eating dairy products, you may be suffering from Lactose Insensitivity. Lactose is found in cow's milk and other dairy products. Your body can't break it down so it ends up in the colon. Your quality of life is greatly affected by the effects of undigested Lactose.

Many people have aversions to the dairy product Lactose. Up to 32% of American adults have some form of lactose malabsorption, according to a recent study. Many don't know what causes this issue, how it presents itself, or how to manage it effectively.

You are in the right place if you are unsure of what to do. We have created a complete guide to help you understand why you struggle with dairy digestibility and what treatment options might be best for you.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a chronic condition in which you experience unpleasant digestive symptoms after you consume foods or drinks that contain Lactose. Lactose is found in cow's milk and other dairy products. It can't be absorbed in its primary form because it's a disaccharide. Lactose enters the colon undigested and causes unpleasant symptoms.

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There is a difference between Lactose Malabsorption and Lactose Intestine. Some people will not experience the symptoms of Lactose Digestion. You have to constantly experience disruptive symptoms to be diagnosed as Lactose-in tolerant.

Lactose sensitivity is different to a milk allergy. A milk allergy can cause a life threatening allergic reaction to the proteins found in dairy milk and often appears in infancy, whereas Lactose intolerance typically appears later in life and doesn't pose a risk to life.

People with Lactose Insensitivity are different. Some people can tolerate a lot of dairy sugar. Ethnic and racial groups are more likely to be in danger. African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans and Hispanics have higher rates of Lactose Malabsorption.

Lactose intolerance: Symptoms and causes

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, there are many symptoms of Lactose Insensitivity. Depending on the state of one's health, the severity of these symptoms may change.

Lactose intolerance is usually caused by a lack of lactase in your body. Lactose is broken down by gutbacteria when it is undigested. The amount of fluid and gas is increased.

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There are a number of reasons why people don't get Lactose Malabsorption. The most common cause according to the review is genetics. Some people have genes that don't work well. There are faulty genes that can lead to lactase non-persistence. Lactose intolerance tends to be diagnosed later in life, due to this. Congenital lactase deficiency is more common than it is.

Lactose intolerance can be triggered by an injury to the small intestine, and this condition is often referred to as secondary Lactose intolerance can be triggered by an injury to the small intestine, and this condition is often referred to as secondary Lactose intolerance can be triggered by an injury The ability to digest lactose can be affected by infections and diseases.

Lactose intolerance: Diagnosis and testing

There are a number of steps involved inagnosing a Lactose Insensitivity. Your doctor will ask a lot of questions to get a good understanding of you. They will ask about your symptoms, family history and eating habits. A physical examination may be performed. Some tests will be conducted by your doctor to check for lactose malabsorption and to exclude other chronic conditions which may present the same symptoms. They may ask you to stop drinking and eating dairy products for a period of time to see if you get better. If they persist even though you change your diet, you may need additional tests.

The hydrogen breath test is one of the most common tests used to diagnose Lactose Insensitivity. Lactose can cause high levels of hydrogen in your breath. A medical professional will give you a liquid drink with a small amount of Lactose. You will be asked to breathe into a container every 30 minutes after you drink it. Your doctor will keep an eye on your symptoms during this time.

The milk tolerance test can be used to determine if you have Lactose Insensitivity. Your blood sugar levels will be measured after you take a 500ml glass of milk. If you don't see a rise in your blood sugar levels after drinking the milk, it's probably because the milk didn't digest the Lactose in it.

Can you treat lactose intolerance?

Elimination diet

There is no cure for Lactose Insensitivity. All sources of Lactose should be removed from your diet in order to avoid the symptoms. It might not be as easy to switch to dairy-free products. Lactose is used as a stabilizer in many packaged foods and infant formulas. It can be found in salad dressings, salad creams, biscuits, cakes, chocolate, pancake mixes and even some processed meats. Lactose is referred to as hidden Lactose.

Lactose-free products are labeled as such. It is more difficult for customers to identify safe products due to the lack of a law regulating the production of Lactose-free foods. Lactose is not listed separately on the food label, so you need to check the ingredients list for cheese, butter and cream.

woman shopping for yogurt

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Lactase supplements

Synthetic lactase enzymes can be used in supplements to counteract the effects of Lactose Insensitivity. They come in the form of tablets or drops, to be taken before you eat or drink products that contain Lactose. It is possible to add drops to dairy milk.

There are some questions surrounding the efficacy of lactase supplements. Before using these supplements, you need to talk to your doctor.

Gut health can be improved through the restoration of the gut microbiome and the consumption of live micro organisms. A growing body of evidence suggests that Lactose-insensitive people can be helped by the presence of probioticbacteria in milk products.

This is due to the fact that certain strains have the same activity. Results from studies aren't always consistent, but they do show a positive impact on the symptoms of Lactose Insensitivity. More research needs to be done to determine which types ofbacteria can be used.

The article is not meant to give medical advice.

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