Lactose intolerance: what now?
Lactose intolerance: what now?
lactose intolerance: what now?
Lactose intolerance, also known as milk sugar intolerance, is a common illness that affects many people. This disease occurs if the body is unable to produce the enzyme lactase that is necessary to digest lactose. Lactose is the natural sugar in dairy products.
lactose intolerance can lead to various symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and nausea. These symptoms occur because the undigested milk sugar in the intestine is broken down by bacteria, which creates gases and acids.
In order to relieve the symptoms of lactose intolerance and to ensure an appropriate nutrition, there are various measures that those affected can take.
1. Avoidance of lactose -containing foods
The first step towards coping with lactose intolerance is to avoid lactose -containing food. This includes milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products. It is important to read the labels of food to ensure that they do not contain any lactose components. Some foods such as bread, cookies and processed foods can also contain lactose.
2. Replacement of lactose -containing foods through alternatives
There are a variety of alternatives to lactose -containing foods that can consume people with lactose intolerance. For example, you can use lactose -free milk or vegetable milk alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk or oat milk. There are also lactose -free yogurt and lactose -free cheese that represent a good alternative. It is important to read the labels carefully to ensure that these products are really lactose -free.
3. Use of lactase preparations
Some people with lactose intolerance can benefit from taking lactase preparations. Lactase is the enzyme that is needed to digest lactose. These preparations contain the enzymatic agent that reduces the milk sugar in the small intestine and thus relieves the symptoms of lactose intolerance. It is important to follow the instructions of the doctor or the pharmacist to ensure the correct amount and time of the preparations.
4. Supervision by a nutritionist
It can be helpful to see a nutritionist to ensure an appropriate diet in lactose intolerance. The nutritionist can help develop a specific nutrition plan and compensate for possible nutrient deficiencies. A balanced diet is particularly important because dairy products are an important source of calcium and vitamin D. The nutritionist can recommend suitable foods that contain these nutrients.
5. Possibly temporarily avoidable food
Although lactose intolerance is a lifelong illness, there may be times when those affected are able to tolerate lactose -containing food. This can be the case after a gastrointestinal infection or after a period of protecting the intestine. It is important to consider the individual needs and reactions of the body and, if necessary, adapt the nutrition.
6. Lactose intolerance and other lactose recycling disorders
It is important to distinguish the lactose intolerance from other lactose recycling disorders. The lactose intolerance is a genetically determined disturbance in which the body does not produce the enzyme lactase. However, there are other diseases, such as lactic insufficiency or the rarer primary lactose paralption in which the body does not produce sufficient lactase enzyme. These diseases can also lead to symptoms of lactose intolerance and require similar measures to deal with symptoms.
Overall, lactose intolerance can be a challenge, but by avoiding lactose -containing foods, the use of lactose -free alternatives, the use of lactase preparations, advice from a nutritionist and understanding the individual needs of the body can be successfully managed. It is important to distinguish the disease from other lactose recycling disorders and to obtain medical advice if necessary.
sources:
- German Society for Nutrition (DGE): Lactose intolerance. Available at https://www.dge.de/swissenschaft/referenzwerte/kohnhydrate/laktoseintolz/
- Gesundheitinformation.de: Lactose intolerance. Available at https://www.gesundheitinformation.de/laktoseintolerz-ueberblick.2078.de.html
- Medlineplus: Lactose intolerance. Available at https://Medlineplus.gov/lactoseintolerance.html