How to Deal With Lactose Intolerance

There are people that cannot digest milk and other dairy products because they have this medical condition called lactose intolerance or lactase deficiency. Lactose intolerance is commonly experienced by adults, children, teens, pregnant women and old people. The challenge for these people is how to get enough calcium which is needed for healthy bones without experiencing difficulty and discomfort. This condition is not dangerous but of course we need to strengthen our bones. If you are wondering about the causes and symptoms, here’s an overview:

Causes

One cause of lactose intolerance is the failure of the small intestine to generate enough lactase which is needed to process or digest lactose. Another one is when we encountered illness like cystic fibrosis or stomach flu which can temporarily halt the small intestine to produce lactase. However the condition can be permanent when a part of the small intestine is removed.

Symptoms

Lactose intolerant people often experience diarrhea, vomiting, cramps or pains, frequent gas release and bubbling sounds in the belly.    

If you found out that you are indeed suffering from lactose intolerance, here’s how you can deal with it:

Change the foods you eat

The basic thing to do is avoid or at least limit the intake of milk and other dairy products. It is helpful if you decide to change the foods you eat. You should look for milk and dairy products with reduced lactose content. If you prefer substitutes, you can consider soy milk and soy cheese.

The good news is that you can still get enough calcium by eating broccoli, turnip greens, canned salmon, tuna and sardines and other soy products (tofu, soybeans and milk).  

Take dietary supplements

You should look for dietary supplements or lactase products which can effectively help digest lactose.