Do you find after having a glass of milk or an ice cream, you feel sick or nauseous? It is possible you may be Lactose Intolerant. People who are Lactose Intolerant report that they begin to feel sick approximately 30 minutes after they have milk or milk products like ice cream or cheese. Other symptoms commonly associated with Lactose intolerance are stomach distress, cramps, gas, diarrhea and bloating.
Lactose intolerance is also called Lactase Deficiency, is caused when your body is not able to naturally digest or metabolize a type sugar called lactose which is commonly found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance in fact is a fairly common condition. However, you should always seek the advice of your doctor or a health care professional to help you figure out if you are suffering from Lactose intolerance or some other condition.
So if you happen to be Lactose intolerant what causes the unpleasant symptoms? The answer is simple. The condition is actually caused by a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme which normally is produced by the cells lining your stomach. The lactase enzyme's job is to break down lactose, a complex sugar found in milk into two simpler sugars, glucose and galactose. When the Lactase does it job the two simpler forms of sugar can then be properly metabolized and absorbed into the bloodstream. The good news is once you know you have a lactose problem there are many ways to live a normal lactose-free life!
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, lactose intolerance can usually be controlled by making changes to or substituting lactose free items in your diet. Depending on the individual's ability to digest lactose, these dietary changes can be as minor as decreasing the amount of lactose consumed or may include substituting lactose free items or lactose reduced items for the offending items in your diet.
Some people find they can decrease their symptoms simply by consuming milk or milk products with other foods during a meal rather having them on their own. Some individuals find relief when they carefully choose what milk products to eat such as yogurt or hard cheese that have lower levels of lactose than other milk products.
Individuals who still experience symptoms even after making minor changes to their diet can also take over-the-counter medicines. These preparations contain lactase, the missing enzyme which causes lactose intolerance and the unpleasant symptoms. This remedy can be taken while consuming your regular milk or milk products.
If you are having severe reactions to lactose food and products you will need to consider a more pro active approach to your diet. Before making any major changes to your diet you really need to consult with your health care provider. Your health care provider has the tools to be able to efficiently diagnose your symptoms and determine what would work for you. Before you make any major changes to your diet, you should know milk and milk products are an important source of calcium, protein and other essential nutrients. Calcium in particular is needed to grow and repair bones no matter what age you are. A shortage of calcium can lead to health problems like poor growth when young or osteoporosis later in life. So, before you change your diet or cut out milk and milk products, make sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. A few simple tests will give you peace of mind and the answers you need!
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