Lactose Intolerance with its cause, types, cure, test and home remedies

What is  Lactose Intolerance, Its Causes, Symptoms, and How You Can Treat or Prevent it? 

Indigestion of milk and other dairy products due to lack of milk digesting enzyme lactase in our body is called lactose Intolerance.

Lactose Intolerance Map

Causes 

 Our body has a natural milk digesting enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down the milk sugar lactose into smaller and simpler sugars so that the milk can be easily digested in our body. 

In some individuals, this enzyme is deficient congenitally or due to some other reasons due to which they experience symptoms of gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain consequently leading to diarrhoea.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance 

• Diarrhoea 
• Gas
• Farting
• Bloating of stomach
• Stomach cramps & pains
• Gurgling or rumbling sounds in the lower belly
• Feeling sick
• Nausea

Lactose Intolerance Test at home 

Take a glass of milk on an empty stomach. If the symptoms like gas, bloating and diarrhoea occur after 30 minutes to 2 hours, then you are lactose intolerant. If not, then you can tolerate lactose. 

Types of Lactose Intolerance :

1. Primary Lactose Intolerance

Primary Lactose Intolerance is most common in Asia. Different individuals experience it with the passage of time at different age groups of his life. 

Those individuals who take milk products intermittently or not at all can develop this type of Lactose Intolerance.

As they do not consume milk and milk products, so lactase enzyme becomes deficient instinctively in their body.

Consequently, in the long run, they can not digest milk and other milk products.

2. Secondary Lactose Intolerance

In this type, lactose Intolerance can develop due to some other disease or due to an injury of small intestine.

In this type, level of lactase enzyme can be restored after treatment.

3. Congenital Lactose Intolerance

In type, lactase is deficient in the body congenitally. A child can not even digest his mother's breast milk.

He can suffer from diarrhoea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

So, they are then shifted to lactose-free milk and they can digest it easily.

General Deficiencies in the body due to Lactose Intolerance

People with lactose Intolerance can be hit by the deficiency of the following :

1. Calcium

2. Vitamin D

3. Vitamin B-2

4. Proteins to some extent

Diet Suitable for the Lactose Intolerant

1. Yoghurt

People who can't t digest milk are still able to digest yoghurt.

Milk is converted into yoghurt by a process called fermentation.

During fermentation, milk sugar lactose is converted into simple sugars.

Yoghurt can provide all the nutrients, vitamins and benefits that milk provides to the body

2. Take half a cup of milk

It is discovered that if some lactose Intolerant people take half cup of milk a day, they can digest it easily.

The amount can be reduced more in case if one experiences the symptoms.

3. Alternatives to the Milk

One can go with other options if he still wants to consume milk. There are many alternatives and lactose-free milk products like :

• Soy Milk.
• Almond Milk. 
• Rice Milk.
• Lactose-free formula milk.

4. Lactase Enzyme Supplements 

One can take lactase enzyme tablets (lactose Intolerance pills) before the intake of milk or dairy products. 

This is a good alternative but it should be availed after consultation with the doctor. 

Food Items that the Lactose Intolerant should avoid

Persons with lactose Intolerance should avoid the following. I have listed some of the major items

• Powdered Milk.
• Ice creams.
• Waffles.
• Ready-made breakfasts in the form of cereals.
• Creams.
• Sauces.
• Custards.
• Puddings.
• Butter.

Home Remedy for Lactose Intolerance 

Start taking a half cup of milk every day, if you find that you can easily digest this small amount (a half-cup), then gradually increase this amount a little bit with the passage of time. This might help you tolerate lactose Intolerance.