Do you know that only about 25% of the world’s population has the ability to digest regular amounts of lactose after they reach adulthood? This is because a lot of people have a genetic condition called lactose intolerance. It makes them unable to digest any amount of the sugars found in milk and other dairy products. If you belong to one of these categories, it does not mean that you cannot enjoy a delicious glass of ice-cold milk or eat your favorite cheese. Lactose intolerance is not an allergy, but rather a natural reduction in the production of lactase enzyme – which is essential for breaking down sugar in milk known as lactose. Lactose Intolerance affects more than 75% of Asian, African, and Native American populations worldwide. Moreover, it’s less prevalent among people who live in Northern Europe or places with historical ties to that area such as Ireland, Scotland, and Central Europe. Keep reading to know more about Lactose Intolerance and its effects on your body!
Is Everyone Lactose Intolerant?
No, not everyone is lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body has difficulty digesting lactose, which is found in foods such as milk and ice cream. Symptoms may include bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Causes Of Lactose Intolerance
Genetics
Lactose intolerance is a genetic trait that can be passed from parents to their children. In most cases, Lactose Intolerance occurs because the body produces less lactase enzyme – an enzyme that converts lactose into glucose – than what is needed for digesting the food.
Infection
Infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastritis and other diseases, can lead to Lactose Intolerance. Scientists believe that up to 20% of people who have this infection may develop Lactose Intolerance due to the fact that H. pylori eats away at the lining of your stomach and prevents its ability to produce enough lactase enzyme to break down lactose in your food.
Dieting
Some people experience an increase in their symptoms of Lactose Intolerance after they lose weight by dieting or following other restrictive diets such as low-carbohydrate diets or low-fat
Other Illnesses
Other illnesses that can cause Lactose Intolerance include cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease. lactase.
Diet
Lactose Intolerance is often caused by eating a diet high in dairy products, which can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth and gut. Research has also shown that a diet high in sugar can cause Lactose Intolerance as well. This is why people who are lactose intolerant may benefit from a low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet that limits the number of foods containing sugar and dairy products they eat.
Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance
Itching or Burning Mouth
The main symptom of lactase deficiency is usually an itchy or burning sensation in the mouth after consuming any food containing lactose (milk, yogurt, ice cream, etc.). The symptoms may occur after three to four hours after eating food containing lactose and disappear once you finish eating it. If your symptoms persist for more than 24 to 48 hours, contact your physician as soon as possible! actase enzyme to break down lactose.
Surgery
Surgery on the intestines can lead to Lactose Intolerance. In some cases, surgical removal of the small intestine can disrupt the production of lactase enzyme and cause people to develop Lactose Intolerance.
Drug or Food Intoxication (Dairy Products)
Infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may lead to Lactose Intolerance in people who are infected with it. This infection is common in many parts of South America and Southeast Asia, and it’s thought that this parasite is passed from cats to humans through feces or contact with cat feces by children who handle them by hand or play in their yards. In most cases, if you are infected with Toxoplasma gondii your immune system will wipe out the infection without causing any problems for you other than Lactose Intolerance – however if your immune system isxtose enzyme. tease enzyme.
Stress
Stress and anxiety can cause Lactose Intolerance. In this case, the body releases the hormone cortisol which leads to an increase in acidity in your stomach. The result is that less lactase enzyme is produced.
Obesity
Obesity can cause Lactose Intolerance due to its effects on the digestive system, including the production of insufficient or inadequate levels of lactase enzyme, as well as a decrease in the amount of digestion enzymes that you produce in general.
Medication
Medication may also cause Lactose Intolerance due to its effect on the digestive system, including a reduction in production of lactase enzyme and an inability to digest lactose efficiently. This can be caused by drugs such as antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and anti-diabetic medications such as insulin or metformin (Glucophage).
How To Treat Lactose Intolerance?
Change your diet
If you’re experiencing symptoms of lactose intolerance, the first thing you should do is change your diet. It’s not likely that your lactose intolerance is a genetic condition. Rather, it’s more likely that you’ve developed a sensitivity over time due to an issue with your gut. When you change your diet, you may be able to reduce the symptoms of your condition. If you’re unsure what you should be eating, talk to your doctor or a dietitian. They will be able to recommend specific dietary changes that will help you treat your lactose intolerance. If you’re confused about how to change your diet without dairy, don’t worry. There are lots of foods that can replace dairy in your diet, such as soy milk, almond milk, and hemp milk.
Eat yogurt
One way to treat lactose intolerance is to eat yogurt. Yogurt contains probiotics, which are good bacteria that help your body digest lactose, the sugar found in all dairy products. Eating yogurt can help you digest lactose and manage your symptoms of lactose intolerance. If you’re trying to treat your lactose intolerance but you’re not sure if yogurt is right for you, it’s important that you choose the right brand. Look for a yogurt that contains lactobacillus, a type of probiotic that helps your body digest lactose. Many Greek yogurt products contain the same probiotic bacteria, so you can choose any brand.
Use lactase supplements
If eating yogurt doesn’t help you manage your lactose intolerance, you may want to try taking lactase supplements. Lactase is an enzyme that helps your body break down lactose. Unfortunately, many people who have lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase. Taking lactase supplements can help your body digest dairy products, even if you don’t produce enough lactase naturally. Lactase supplements come in different forms, including tablets, liquids, and powders. You can find lactase supplements at most drugstores, supermarkets, and health food stores. When choosing a brand, look for one that contains lactase, cellulose, vegetable stearic acid, and magnesium stearate.
Take probiotics
Another way to manage your lactose intolerance is to take probiotics. As you may have gathered from the information above, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help your body digest lactose. Many yogurt products contain probiotics, so you can simply choose a yogurt product that has “active cultures” listed on the label. Yogurt is a convenient and tasty food that can help you manage your lactose intolerance. If you don’t like the taste of yogurt, though, you can also choose other probiotic-rich foods, such as kimchi and miso.
Drink coffee or tea with milk
If you’re unable to eat yogurt, you can still enjoy dairy products by drinking coffee or tea with milk. These beverages contain much less lactose than eating a bowl of yogurt. If you’re not sure if drinking coffee or tea with milk will help your lactose intolerance, start by drinking a small amount of milk with every cup of coffee or tea. Over time, you can increase the amount of milk that you add to your drinks.
Eat kombucha
If you’re looking for an alternative to dairy that’s high in probiotics, try kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented beverage that you can find at most health food stores. It contains many types of beneficial bacteria, including probiotics. Lactose intolerance is not a lifelong condition. Once you manage your symptoms, it’s likely that you will be able to eat dairy products again. But, if you want to avoid the symptoms that come with a lactose intolerance, you may want to consider giving up dairy products.
Try bone broth
Many people who have lactose intolerance also experience bloating, cramping, and other digestive issues. These symptoms can be especially painful for people who have IBS. Fortunately, there are some foods and beverages that can help treat these symptoms. Drinking bone broth can reduce digestive issues, including constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. If you want to try drinking bone broth as a way to treat your lactose intolerance, look for a brand that’s organic and contains no preservatives. You want to make sure that it’s safe for you to drink and contains ingredients that will help your symptoms.
Be mindful of the foods you eat and how they make you feel
As you’re managing your lactose intolerance, it’s important to be mindful of the foods that make you feel uncomfortable. If you eat dairy products, you may feel bloating, cramping, and other issues that indicate you’ve consumed too much lactose. You can avoid these symptoms by taking a Lactose Intolerance Self-Assessment before you eat dairy products. It’s also important to choose the right dairy products when you’re managing lactose intolerance. Cheddar cheese, feta cheese, and Swiss cheese all have lower levels of lactose than other types of cheese. And, sour cream, butter, and cream cheese all contain little to no lactose.
Conclusion
We hope the article proved to be helpful in knowing more about Lactose Intolerance, its Symptoms, and its Causes. If you feel you are lactose intolerant, try to avoid dairy products and look for lactose-free alternatives. Thanks for reading and keep visiting us! Now that you know all about lactose intolerance, it’s time to clear up any misconceptions you may have had and take a better care of yourself!
