Can Lactose Intolerant People Drink Goat's Milk?
Lactose intolerance afflicts millions of people worldwide. For those who are lactose intolerant, an alternative to dairy in goat's milk. Since individual degrees of lactose intolerance vary, those with higher sensitivities cannot necessarily exercise this option.
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Lactose Intolerance
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When the small intestine fails to produce enough of the digestive enzyme lactase, the body cannot process lactose (milk sugar). All sources of lactose, including dairy products, protein powders, and medications, can cause intestinal discomfort.
Considerations
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Though goat's milk contains lactose, it does not always provoke the gas, nausea, bloating and diarrhea symptomatic of lactose intolerance. This may be due to goat's milk's chemical composition.
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Theories/Speculation
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Theories suggest that smaller fat globules and higher amounts of essential fatty acids render goat's milk more easily digestible than cow's milk. Lower concentrations of casein (protein) may also contribute to its digestibility.
Misconceptions
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Occasionally, the ability to process goat's milk, but not cow's milk, indicates casein allergy rather than lactose intolerance. Diet and blood tests can help determine the presence of a comparatively rare casein allergy.
Warning
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Drinking goat's milk is the only way to conclusively know how it will affect your digestive system. Do not make any changes in your diet without first consulting your health care practitioner.
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