How to Enjoy Dairy Products if Lactose Intolerant
Lactose intolerance is the inability to fully digest lactose which is a kind of sugar found in cow's milk and other dairy products that contain cow's milk. This occurs when the small intestine doesn’t produce enough of the lactase enzyme which would normally break down the lactose sugar into simpler sugars of glucose and galactose. Lactose intolerance can be genetic or it can happen gradually as we age since our bodies produce less lactase as we get older. Some symptoms of being lactose-intolerant include feeling bloated or nauseous, having stomach pains, cramps, gas, or diarrhea after consuming foods that have lactose. These symptoms are caused by your body’s inability to properly digest the lactose sugar. There are still ways to enjoy dairy products even if you’re lactose-intolerant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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How to Enjoy Dairy Products if Lactose Intolerant
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Take a lactaid supplement right before you consume any dairy products. Lactaid supplements can be purchased over the counter. These supplements help break down the lactose sugar so you can enjoy dairy products. Read the dosage on the box and take them as directed.
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Restrict the amount of dairy products you consume. Some people may be fine drinking a glass of milk or eating small portions of dairy products but may feel symptoms of lactose intolerance if they consume a large amount of milk or other dairy products. Determine what your limits and take note on how much dairy you can eat without feeling sick. The key is to eat dairy products in moderation.
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Consume dairy products that are reduced-lactose or lactose-free. Products that are lactose-free do not contain any lactose so your body will be able to digest them normally. You can substitute soy products for regular dairy products. You can also substitute goat’s milk for cow’s milk. Some people are able to digest the lactose enzymes found in goat’s milk easier than the lactose in cow’s milk. It can also be helpful to eat yogurt. Yogurt contains live bacteria cultures that can aid in lactose digestion.
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Read the labels of products before you buy them. Dairy products usually list whether the product is lactose-free or not. Other products you buy have a list of ingredients on the package and will tell you if the product contains milk or milk products.
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Ask your doctor about the ingredients in any prescription drugs you may be taking. There are some drugs that contain lactose. If you have a severe intolerance to lactose, you may feel symptoms after taking any medications containing them. If the ingredients aren’t listed on the bottle, contact the company that makes the drug and ask them if it contains lactose or not.
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