About Lactose Intolerance

What is lactose intolerance? How can you tell if you might be lactose intolerant? And what foods should you avoid if you are lactose intolerant? Learn more about lactose intolerance and what you can do about it here...

PLEASE NOTE: As with all articles featured here at Best Liquid Vitamins, this article on "Lactose Intolerance" is intended to be a guide only. We sincerely hope the information presented here on lactose intolerance is helpful but should you feel you might be lactose intolerant, please be sure to consult with your health professional for more specific information and dietary guidelines.

What You Need to Know About Lactose Intolerance

Did you know that if you feel sick after drinking milk or eating foods made with milk, you may have lactose intolerance?

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, the major sugar found in milk.

Lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. Not all people deficient in lactase have the symptoms commonly associated with lactose intolerance, but those who do are said to have lactose intolerance.

People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cow’s milk intolerance because the symptoms are often the same. However, lactose intolerance and cow’s milk intolerance are not related. Being intolerant to cow’s milk is an allergic reaction triggered by the immune system. Lactose intolerance is a problem caused by the digestive system.

Lactose intolerance is not serious, but it can make you very uncomfortable after you eat foods with lactose

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

After eating foods with lactose in them, you may feel sick to your stomach.

Common symptoms, which range from mild to severe, include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Symptoms begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. The severity of symptoms depends on many factors, including the amount of lactose a person can tolerate and a person’s age, ethnicity, and digestion rate.

Some illnesses can cause these same problems. Your doctor can do tests to see if your problems are caused by lactose intolerance or by something else.

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