Lactose is one of the sugars found mainly in dairy products. It consists of the union of two types of simple sugars, namely glucose and galactose. Lactose is digested and broken down in the system thanks to the lactase enzyme. But what will happen if there is a severe deficiency of the lactase enzyme? Here the so-called lactose intolerance arises.

So if you are interested in learning more about lactose intolerance, follow along with us to learn about the symptoms of the problem, its various causes, and methods of treatment and prevention.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance  is a condition that results from the body’s inability to produce a sufficient amount of the lactase enzyme, or perhaps its effectiveness diminishes and the cells do not respond to it, which leads to the inability to digest the lactose present in milk and its products.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

Symptoms of lactose intolerance appear after a period of eating foods that contain lactose, and the symptoms and severity vary from person to person. Depending on the amount consumed and also depending on the degree to which the body deals with lactose, the most important symptoms resulting from lactose indigestion are:

• Gasses and bloating, and may be accompanied by abdominal pain.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• In some severe cases, diarrhea may result in loss of body fluids, which exposes the patient to dehydration.

These were some of the common symptoms that affect the digestive system of this condition, but what are the foods and substances that trigger the appearance of these symptoms?

Triggers of lactose intolerance

The main trigger for this condition are foods that contain large amounts of lactose, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and some types of pastries. Now, what are the reasons why eating these foods leads to these symptoms?

Causes of lactose intolerance

In fact, there are many things that are considered causes of lactose allergy and lactase deficiency in the body, including the following:

• Genetic factors: Lactase deficiency may be passed from parent to child, so check for a history of this condition in your family.
• Digestive system problems: A deficiency of this enzyme or a decrease in its effectiveness may result from intestinal problems and intestinal inflammation.
• Improper nutrition: Not consuming dairy products for long periods may result in reduced enzyme production in the body, which leads to an increased chance of developing lactose intolerance.
• Some other factors: such as environmental changes and psychological and nervous tension lead to problems with the digestive process in general.

After shedding light on the most important causes of this disease, how do we protect ourselves from it?

Prevention of lactose intolerance

To prevent digestive disorders resulting from the inability of the small intestine to digest and absorb lactose, all you have to do is avoid foods in which lactose is present, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, and replace them with healthy foods that are low in lactose.

Treatment of lactose intolerance

The treatment consists of several points, including:

Adhere to the diet that is appropriate for you

The real treatment is to stop eating food rich in lactose, such as dairy products and others. To avoid these digestive disorders.

supplements for those suffering from lactose intolerance

The most important supplements used for this condition are:

• Isolated whey (whey protein isolate): It is a protein supplement extracted from milk. It is made by extracting whey from milk, isolating it, and drying it. To make it contain the least amount of lactose, carbohydrates and fats possible; Therefore, the isolated whey supplement is one of the best types of protein supplements suitable for cases of the body’s inability to digest lactose.
• Beef protein: Many of these cases resort to low-lactose Beef protein, whether it comes from protein supplements, such as low-lactose whey protein, or protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish, and white meat.
• Vegetable protein: In addition to Beef protein, there is also vegetable protein that contains small amounts of lactose, such as protein supplements made from soy, and food vegetable protein sources such as beans and legumes such as lentils and nuts such as peanuts.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment is not considered the ideal solution for this condition, but they are helpful factors in controlling digestive disorders and alleviating symptoms resulting from the inability to digest lactose. Among the medications used are:

• Lactase supplements: This is a common drug treatment for this condition. Because it contains lactase, which helps digest lactose sugar in the small intestine, you can eat it before lactose-rich meals.
• Antidiarrheal medications: to treat severe diarrhea and avoid dehydration.

Before starting to take the medication, you should consult a specialist doctor first.

common questions

  How do I get rid of lactose intolerance?

By adhering to the diet that is appropriate for you:

The real treatment is not to eat foods rich in lactose, such as dairy products and others. To avoid these digestive disorders.

When does a person become lactose intolerant?

Lactose intolerance is a condition that results from the body’s inability to produce a sufficient amount of the lactase enzyme, or perhaps its effectiveness diminishes and cells do not respond to it, which leads to the inability to digest lactose present in milk and its products.

How do you know that you suffer from lactose intolerance?

Symptoms of lactose intolerance appear after a period of eating foods that contain lactose, and the most important symptoms resulting from lactose indigestion are:

• Gas and bloating, and may be accompanied by abdominal pain.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• In some severe cases, diarrhea may result in loss of body fluids, which exposes the patient to dehydration.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Gas and bloating, and may be accompanied by abdominal pain.

Vomiting and nausea.

Diarrhea. In some severe cases, diarrhea may result in loss of body fluids, which exposes the patient to dehydration.

Does lactose cause flatulence?

Yes, the most important symptoms resulting from lactose indigestion are gasses and bloating, and may be accompanied by abdominal pain.

Is lactose intolerance hereditary?

Yes, this is possible. Among the causes of the body’s inability to digest lactose are: genetic factors; Lactase deficiency may be passed from parent to child, so check if there is a history of this condition in your family.

Does cottage cheese contain lactose?

Yes, from foods that contain large amounts of lactose, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and some types of pastries.

What is food prohibited for a lactose intolerant patient?

You should avoid foods that contain lactose, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, and replace them with healthy, low-lactose foods.

Does egg contain lactose?

Eggs do not contain lactose, as eggs are an Beef protein with low lactose