What is lactose intolerance?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Lactose intolerance is caused by the body’s inability to digest the sugar in milk called lactose. Symptoms may include stomach cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea. Lactose is found in all dairy products and foods made with dairy products. Some individuals may be able to tolerate small servings of dairy products without any discomfort. Try drinking milk in servings of 1 cup or less at a time. Dairy products may also be better tolerated if eaten with a meal or other foods. If you are lactose intolerant, you should make sure you still get the recommended daily amount of calcium, either from lactose-free dairy products or other calcium-containing foods such as broccoli, kale, turnip greens, calcium-fortified breads and juices, and tofu.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulLactose intolerance is caused by the body’s inability to digest the sugar in milk called lactose. Symptoms may include stomach cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea. Lactose is found in all dairy products and foods made with dairy... More -
Riverside Gastroenterology answered:Lactose intolerance is the inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. Lactase breaks down lactose into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream.
Not all people with lactase deficiency have digestive symptoms, but those who do may have lactose intolerance. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet.
People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cow milk allergy. Milk allergy is a reaction by the body's immune system to one or more milk proteins and can be life threatening when just a small amount of milk or milk product is consumed. Milk allergy most commonly appears in the first year of life, while lactose intolerance occurs more often in adulthood.
This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulLactose intolerance is the inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine.... More -
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk and other dairy products. During digestion, an intestinal enzyme called lactase breaks down lactose into smaller, more easily digested sugars. People who are lactose intolerant produce too little lactase. Common symptoms are bloating, gas and diarrhea. Some people experience nausea and abdominal pain.Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk and other dairy products. During digestion, an intestinal enzyme called lactase breaks down lactose into smaller, more easily digested sugars. People who are lactose intolerant produce too little... More -
Sarah Worden answered:Lactose intolerance, while it can cause discomfort, is not nearly as severe as a milk allergy. Lactose intolerance is caused by the body having a difficulty digesting milk sugar (lactose) due to lack of the enzyme, lactase. Symptoms of lactose intolerance are gas, bloating, diarrhea, and upset stomach.Lactose intolerance, while it can cause discomfort, is not nearly as severe as a milk allergy. Lactose intolerance is caused by the body having a difficulty digesting milk sugar (lactose) due to lack of the enzyme, lactase. Symptoms of... More -
Dr. F. Michael Gloth, III answered:Lactose intolerance is more common as we grow older, and it is often accompanied by nausea, bloating, and even diarrhea or vomiting. Lactose intolerance is caused by the lack of an enzyme called lactase, which is needed to break down lactose -- a sugar found in milk -- into a
useable form.
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Lactose intolerance is more common as we grow older, and it is often accompanied by nausea, bloating, and even diarrhea or vomiting. Lactose intolerance is caused by the lack of an enzyme called lactase, which is needed to break down lactose -- a... More -
Healthwise answered:Lactose intolerance is a disorder in which a person is not able to digest lactose, a natural sugar found in milk-based foods, such as ice cream. People with lactose intolerance do not have enough lactase in the small intestine to properly digest lactose, so it passes through to the large intestine, where it causes gas, pain in the belly, and bloating.
Some people have lactose intolerance from an early age, while others have it later in life. An intestinal illness may sometimes cause a person to be unable to digest lactose for a short time.
There is no cure for lactose intolerance but the symptoms can be treated by reducing (or avoiding) milk and dairy products, using dietary supplements called lactase products that help digest lactose, or using special food products that contain reduced amounts of lactose. Because milk and dairy products are important sources of calcium, people who have lactose intolerance need to be sure to get enough calcium from other sources.
Lactose intolerance is a disorder in which a person is not able to digest lactose, a natural sugar found in milk-based foods, such as ice cream. People with lactose intolerance do not have enough lactase in the small intestine to properly... More -
Dr. Lawrence Friedman answered:Lactose intolerance is difficulty digesting lactose, the primary sugar found in milk. It's been estimated that up to 70% of the world's people are unable to digest lactose, although the problem is minor for most. The difficulty occurs when a person's body does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugar into simpler forms that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Lactose intolerance is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, including Jews, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asians; it is less common in Scandinavians and other ethnic groups that traditionally depended on dairy foods for a major part of their diet.Lactose intolerance is difficulty digesting lactose, the primary sugar found in milk. It's been estimated that up to 70% of the world's people are unable to digest lactose, although the problem is minor for most. The difficulty occurs when a... More -
Samantha Heller answered:People who are lactose intolerant do not have the enzyme in their gut that helps digest lactose, called lactase. Lactase helps break apart the galactose-glucose molecule so it can be absorbed. If you do not have the enzyme lactase in your gut, eating dairy products may cause cramping or bloating.
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People who are lactose intolerant do not have the enzyme in their gut that helps digest lactose, called lactase. Lactase helps break apart the galactose-glucose molecule so it can be absorbed. If you do not have the enzyme lactase in your gut,... More -
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body doesn't have enough of the enzyme (lactase) to break down the sugar commonly found in milk (lactose). Some people can be missing the enzyme entirely, but for many people, they don't have enough of the enzyme to handle a large load of lactose. Also, many people have the ability to increase their supply of lactase by slow, steady exposure to lactose. Many dietary aids for this condition simply add the enzyme into the dairy product. Diarrhea and bloating are the most common side effects of this deficiency.Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body doesn't have enough of the enzyme (lactase) to break down the sugar commonly found in milk (lactose). Some people can be missing the enzyme entirely, but for many people, they don't have... More
