What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar in milk, lactose. This inability results from a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally produced in the small intestine. Lactase breaks down the milk sugar, so the body can easily digest it.

When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, mild to severe stomach discomfort may result.

The Basics on Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is defined as:

1. A disaccharide, C12 H22 O11, found in milk, that may be hydrolyzed to yield glucose and galactose.

2. A white crystalline substance obtained from whey and used in infant foods, bakery products, confections, and pharmaceuticals as a diluent and excipient. Also called milk sugar.


•The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition (licensed from Houghton Mifflin Company. Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company

Common Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

Think you could be lactose intolerant? Common symptoms include:

• Gas
• Cramps
• Loose stool or diarrhea
• Bloating
• Vomiting

Symptoms tend to occur anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing dairy. One’s severity of symptoms and tolerance levels varies person to person.

Trigger Foods

Foods that contain lactose:

• Milk
• Ice Cream
• Cheese
• Cream
• Cream Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Chocolate
• Butter
 

Graphical Depiction of Lactose Intolerance