Understanding Lactose Intolerance
Here’s an all-too-common lactose intolerance story:
A young woman sees her doctor because of severe abdominal pain and cramps which occurred after she ate dairy foods. The doctor diagnosed her with being lactose intolerant and instructed her to completely avoid dairy foods…forever. As a result, she became vitamin D and calcium deficient as an adult. A new doctor gave her hope and shared her research and culinary tips on how to re-introduce dairy into her diet to correct these deficiencies. Today she enjoys dairy foods daily with almost no symptoms.
Lactose Intolerance
Are you or someone in your family lactose intolerant? When milk and other dairy foods are consumed, the milk sugar (lactose) is broken down and absorbed into the digestive system. Lactose intolerance occurs when there is not enough of the enzyme (lactase), to digest all the milk sugar present resulting in abdominal discomfort. When these symptoms occur after dairy foods are eaten, a physician may diagnose you as “lactose intolerant”. But what your physician may fail to share is lactose intolerance does not mean avoiding dairy foods altogether.
In the United States, dairy foods are the main sources of calcium and vitamin D in our diet. Including three servings of milk, yogurt or cheese each day has been shown to help prevent diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and obesity as well as vitamin deficiencies. Therefore, eliminating dairy can have unintentional consequences. Just as one begins slowly when beginning a high-fiber diet, the re-introduction of dairy foods should be a gradual process for someone who is lactose intolerant.
As a physician, I encourage you to know these 5 facts about lactose intolerance. Begin with small amounts of low-lactose-containing foods such as easily digestible yogurt and natural cheeses with meals. Then, gradually add new foods like cottage cheese and four ounces of milk. You can also enjoy real dairy milk that is lactose–free or add some flavor. There is also lactose-free chocolate or strawberry milk available.
Don’t believe the myths that dairy is out if you are lactose Intolerant! It’s important to get the right information about lactose, especially when you or someone you live with is lactose intolerant. I know that lactose intolerance does not mean dairy intolerance. Get more facts from our Lactose Intolerance page. I did, for you see, the woman in this story is me.
Jeanette N. Keith, M.D. is a gastroenterologist who has specialized training in Clinical Nutrition. Her practice focus includes colon cancer prevention, GI disorders that affect obese patients, medical weight management, small bowel mucosal diseases, GI or nutritional concerns of the bariatric patient and general gastroenterology. Research interests include understanding and managing lactose intolerance as well as the management of GI/nutritional complications of bariatric surgery. She has a practice in Decatur, AL.
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