Lactose Intolerance

What Is It?
*Uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms (GI)- gas, diarrhea, stomach/abdominal
cramps, pain, bloating can be mild or severe, flatulence, nausea, vomiting
*Inability to breakdown lactose (sugar in milk)- to lactase (enzyme)
that breaks down milk, shortage of lactase/enzyme in the small intestine
*Enzyme- develop as children-80% outgrow by age 6, begin to lose as we get older

Information:
*Milk- loaded with calcium and helps with osteoporosis (brittle bones)
-Calcium- juices fortified with calcium, broccoli, dried peas/beans, fish/salmon
with soft bones, seafood, blackstrap molasses
-Milk Allergies- breathing problems rashes, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
stomach cramps, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, itchy/red/watery eyes
AVOID- Milk, Butter, Margarine, Yogurt, Luncheon Meats, Hotdogs, Sausage,
Milk Chocolate, Processed meats, Cream Soups, Cream, Cheeses, Baked Goods,
Salad Dressings, Caramel/Some Candies, Sour Cream, Sauces, Gravies, Mixes as
Pancake, Biscuits, Cookies, ice cream, ice milk, sherbet, check all medications,
casein/caseinate, lactate/lacto/lacta, hydrolysates, calcium with oyster shells
-Tolerance per day- 10 grams of lactose- 1/2c. ice cream= 4.5, 1/2c. whole milk= 5.5,
1/2c. lowfat yogurt= 6, 2 pats butter= .1/margarine= .9, 1/2c. sherbet= 2
*Easier to Digest- yogurt, acidophilus milk, try cheddar or Swiss cheese
(hard cheeses), lactose-reduced milk
*Secondary to the disease- ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis,
gluten-induced enteropathy, digestive diseases
WHAT CAN I DO?
*See your Health Care Provider- about a lactase tablet, Calcium needs
*Talk with a RD- read labels, trial and error, never eat alone
*See FFF RD on line for help as needed with Lactose Intolerance
*Vitamin D- 15 minutes of sunlight daily, eggs, liver