LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
Milk
of mammals contains sugar name lactose which is a disaccharide of galactose and
glucose. When any food including milk and milk products is consumed, Lactose
goes into intestine where it needs to be hydrolysis is carried out in small
intestine by enzymes lactase which is produced there. When there is
insufficient amount of lactase present the undigested lactose then passes
through small intestine and remains unabsorbed into the large intestine.
There
bacteria present will use this lactose and produce large amount of gas, which cause
bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps etc. which are the symptoms of
lactose intolerance.
Solution to the
Problem:
ü Avoid Milk and Milk Products
The
solution can be of different types. Since lactose is the problem, avoiding
lactose will be an immediate solution. Since milk is the source of lactose, if
milk is removed from the diet the problem disappears.
However, this is not a good solution as
milk is a source of many nutrients including the best source of highest quality
protein, an excellent source of calcium and many other vitamins.
ü Lactose free or Low Lactose Milk
products
Another
solution is treating the milk so lactose is hydrolyses prior to drinking. Many
companies have started marketing milk as Lactose- free so these milks are
treated before marketing. After the pasteurization process, lactase enzymes is
added to milk and is allowed to react for some time till lactose is hydrolyzed
to glucose and galactose. The duration of the process will make the milk either
lactose-free with negligible lactose remaining or reduce lactose with
substantially lower amount of lactose remaining.
The
latter may be used by people who are less sensitive and can tolerate lactose to
some extent.
ü Non- Daring products
Many products are now available that look and taste
like milk and could be used as substitutes. Such products as soya milk, almond
milk and others have proteins and other micronutrients so when the lactose
intolerant person is advised to stay away from dairy products, they can still
get nutrients from some of these sources.
ü Lactase Enzyme
In the market, lactase for adding to milk as well as
lactase capsules or tablets for consuming along with dairy products are
available. Tablets are suitable when consuming products like ice cream and
sweets made of milk. For plain milk one can add a few hours for most of lactose
to be hydrolyzed.
Instructions on pack need to be followed as
different products have different amounts of enzymes of different optimum
conditions.
ü Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria or yeast that are
capable of reaching intestine and lodge in large intestine. These have been
shown not only to reduce the lactose in milk when added but also continue to
digest lactose in the gut as they are able to produce lactase there. Since probiotics
are able to lodge in intestine their benefits can be for longer during.
ü Milk and Whey Protein Powder
There
are many nutritional powder available containing milk and whey protein
concentrates and isolates. When lactose needs to be restricted one can still
get high quality milk proteins through such products which also have various
nutrients that milk contains and many more. There are some other protein
powders that are recommended for lactose intolerance persons including children
and infants.
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