LACTOSE
INTOLERANCE
About Lactose
Intolerance
Lactose
intolerance is caused by a deficiency or lack of the enzyme lactase which is
necessary to digest lactose. It’s
probably the most common food intolerance of all, as most adults (except some
caucasians of Northern European origin) do not have the necessary enzyme.
Infants often become lactose intolerant after a bout of gastroenteritis.
Symptoms in an infant can include foamy diarrhoea with nappy or diaper
rash, slow weight gain and development, and vomiting. In adults the symptoms usually begin between half an hour and
two hours after eating lactose and can include bloating, gas, diarrhoea and
abdominal cramps.
Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Lactose Intolerance
Consider the following nutrition guidelines:
-
Avoid
milk and all dairy products except possibly live yoghurt. Goat's or sheep's yoghurt may be tolerated better.
-
Check
labels for lactose and milk solids and whey.
-
Avoid
ice cream.
-
Use
soy milk, Rice Dream, Oat Milk, Almond milk, etc. instead of cow’s milk.
-
Get
your calcium from other calcium rich foods, such as green leafy
vegetables, especially curly kale, almonds, sesame seeds and other nuts
and seeds, apricots, blackstrap molasses.
-
Check
whether medications contain lactose.
Many pills use lactose as a filler, and even homoeopathic remedies
are often lactose based (alternatives should be available from
homoeopaths).
-
If
you are pregnant and have a family history of lactose intolerance,
consider breastfeeding your baby.
If
this is not possible, use a non-dairy formula, such as Nanny Goat.
Health Supplements for Lactose Intolerance
Often, a
combination of supplements may help in
alleviating this condition. You may wish to
consult a nutritional therapist for personal
advice. Supplements that may be helpful in
alleviating symptoms are shown below:
(please
also read this important notice concerning supplement
medical claims)
Adults:
Children
over 2 years:
Age
2-4 years
1 capsule daily
Age
5-6 years
2 capsules daily
Age
7-9 years
3 capsules daily
Age
10 and over 4
capsules daily
Recommended
Books
health book - What Should I Feed My Baby
see also:
allergies and food intolerance
cookbooks
asthma
eczema |
