Lactose Intolerance
Synopsis of Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the primary sugar in milk and dairy products, due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. When lactose isn't properly broken down, it ferments in the colon, leading to digestive discomfort. This condition is very common worldwide, especially in Asian, African, Hispanic, and Indigenous populations, and can be congenital, age-related, or secondary to gastrointestinal illness.
There are several forms:
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Primary lactose intolerance: The most common, progressive loss of lactase after childhood.
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Secondary lactose intolerance: Caused by injury or inflammation of the small intestine (e.g., celiac disease, gastroenteritis).
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Congenital lactose intolerance: Rare, genetic condition present at birth.
Typical symptoms include (30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming dairy):
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Bloating
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Gas
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Diarrhea
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Abdominal cramps
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Nausea
Symptoms vary based on amount of lactose consumed and individual tolerance threshold.
When to see a doctor:
If symptoms are persistent, worsening, or accompanied by weight loss, blood in stool, or malnutrition, consult a healthcare provider. A hydrogen breath test or lactose tolerance test may confirm diagnosis.
Natural remedies for Lactose Intolerance
Avoid or Limit Lactose-Containing Foods: Milk, ice cream, soft cheeses, and cream.
Choose Lactose-Free Alternatives: Such as plant-based milks (almond, oat, coconut) and lactose-free dairy products.
Try Small Portions with Meals: Some people tolerate low amounts when eaten with other foods.
Use Lactase Enzyme Supplements: Taken before consuming dairy to aid digestion.
Support Gut Healing if Secondary: Address underlying inflammation or infection.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Lactose Intolerance
2'-Fucosyllactose
aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
amylase
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bovine
chamomile
colostrum
dandelion
fenugreek
fish protein
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
ginger
cellulose
inulin
lactase
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
licorice root
lipase
marshmallow
pancreatin
butyric acid
slippery elm bark
starch
streptococcus thermophilus
sucrase
vitamin B6
vitamin D
whey protein
xylooligosaccharides
yeast
zinc
oryza
blessed thistle
1-deoxynojirimycin
2-Fucosyllactose
4-Phytase
akebia
Amylase
acacia
Asparagus racemosus
Aspergillus oryzae
Amaranth
Asian Psyllium
Amylase (gamma)
Acacia fiber
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Avian (unspecified)
Agrimonia pilosa
Alpha-Galactosidase
Acidophilus
Alpha Galactosidase
Amylase (mixed amylase)
Avian (unspecified)
Amaranthus tricolor
Agar
Bifidobacterium longum
Baker's Yeast
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Butter
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium (various species)
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifobacterium (mixed)
Beta-glucosidase
Bifidobacterium animalis lactis
Bifidobacterium (mixed)
Bran
Beef liver
Bovine (unspecified)
beta-lactoglobulin
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Beta galactosidase
Black Gram
Butter
Bifidobacterium breve
Black Psyllium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bacillus subtilis natto
Bifidobacteria (unspecified)
Bacteria
Bacillus Coagulans
Bacteria Blend
Blessed Thistle
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bovine (unspecified)
Beef liver
Beta-galactosidase
Butter fat
Casein Glycomacropeptide
Cream
Calcium Magnesium Citrate
Calcium Oligofructose
Cereal (unspecified)
Carbohydrate (mixed)
Carbohydrate (unspecified)
Cellulose
Chymosin
Carbohydrate
Chicken
Cheese
Calcium Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Cellulose derivatives
Ethyl Cellulose
Emulsifying agent
Fiber
Fructo-Oligosaccharides (FOS)
Fish
Fruit acid (mixed)
Fenugreek
Glycomacropeptides
Galactosidase
Goat milk protein
Gum Arabic
Goat's rue
Grain (unspecified)
Galactooligosaccharides
Galactosidase (unspecified)
Galactose
HydroxypropylDistarch Phosphate
Inulin
isomaltooligosaccharide
Isomaltooligosaccharides
Inulin
Intestine
Isomaltase
Kluyveromyces lactis
Kukicha
Kluyveromyces marxianus
Kefir
L-Tryptophan
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis
Lactococcus acidophilus
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus (unspecified)
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus (various species)
Lactobacillus leichmannii
Legume protein
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus (mixed)
Leuconostoc cremoris
Liver
Lactobacillus delbrueckii (ssp not specified)
Legume (unspecified)
Lactic Acid
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lily
Lactalbumin
Lactoglobulin (mixed)
Lactobacillus
Lactalbumin
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus
L. lactis (unspecified)
Leuconostoc lactis
Lactase
Lactase
Lactose
Milk fat
Maltitol
Medium Chain Triglycerides
Modified milk ingredients (unspecified)
malt (rice)
Mammary
Oat Fiber
Oligosaccharides
Oxytocin
Ovalbumin
Ox
Proprietary Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Proprietary Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil supplement)
Phytase/Pectinase
Prebiotic (unspecified)
Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. Shermanii
Protein (vegetable)
Pancreatin
Probiotics
Phytase
Polyalditol
Pituitary Gland
Protein (unspecified)
Probiotic (unspecified)
Propionibacterium freudenreichii shermanii
Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Placenta
Polyol (unspecified)
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Rice Fiber
Rugose Rose
Rice milk
Sucrase
Stabilizers
Sacchoromyces (unspecified)
Saccharomyces (unspecified)
Streptococcus (unspecified)
Saturated fatty acid
Saccharomyces cerevisae
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Sorbitol
Sweet Goldenrod
Saccharomyces exiguus
Saccharomyces
Thyroid
triglyceride
Total Fat
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)
Wheat Bran
Wheat Protein
Xanthan Gum
Xylose Isomerase
Yeast (unspecified)
Yeast (Brewer's Yeast)
Yogurt
Yeast