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Symptoms & Conditions > Adults' > Lactose Intolerance > |
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All About Lactose Intolerance |
Ice cream sundaes, tall glasses of milk with chocolate chip cookies, rich, decadent cheesecakes and pizza heaped with cheese … these are foods that most of us dream about. But for the 30 to 50 million Americans who have dairy digestion problems (DDP), these are foods that, in the past, may have caused difficulty.
Lactose: Important Part of Dairy Foods
Lactose, a sugar found in dairy foods, is easily handled by the digestive systems of millions, but for others who lack the natural enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, the results are cramping, gas, bloating and/or diarrhea. The severity of these symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose one can tolerate, and how much lactose is in the food consumed.
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Dairy Digestive Problems: A Clear Understanding
Dairy digestion problems (DDP), also known as lactose intolerance, is a natural condition that may affect up to 75 percent of the world's population and as many as 50 million, or 20 percent, of all people in the United States. The condition is particularly prevalent among certain ethnic and racial populations. For example, it is estimated to affect as many as 50 percent of Hispanics, 80 percent of African Americans, and 90 percent of Asian Americans. DDP generally manifests itself by the time an individual reaches his or her 20s, although it is possible to develop dairy digestive problems at any age.
DDP is a condition, not an illness, and occurs because of an individual's low levels of lactase, the enzyme necessary to digest lactose, the sugar contained in milk products. Symptoms, which can range from mild to severe, usually appear within 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating, and may be easily diagnosed by a medical professional.
The good news is that this condition is easy to manage. While it may not be possible to improve the body's ability to produce lactase, the symptoms can be controlled without having to sacrifice dairy foods and their many health benefits.
Avoidance of Dairy Foods: The Health Risks
The avoidance of dairy foods may result in an inadequate dietary intake of calcium, which may lead to various diseases including osteoporosis and hypertension. Milk and other dairy foods are an important part of a healthy diet for both children and adults. Dairy foods are an excellent source of natural calcium, protein, vitamins A and D and other healthy nutrients. Calcium is especially important for healthy bones and teeth. Many people who have dairy digestion problems stop eating dairy foods because they don't know there is something to make dairy foods easier to digest. Fortunately, there are products available to help people put dairy back into their diet.
The Freedom to Enjoy Dairy
There is a wide range of lactose-free dairy products available including milk, ice cream and cheeses, as well as dietary supplements to aid in the digestion of dairy. Many individuals have also reported success in consuming their dairy products with other foods and selecting dairy products such as aged cheeses and yogurt, which tend to result in a less severe physical reaction. The cheeses have less lactose in them than other dairy products, while yogurt contains bacteria and enzymes that help digest the sugar. For individuals suffering the discomfort associated with dairy digestive problems, antacids and other stomach remedies may help relieve certain symptoms.
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