Natural treatments for lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive condition resulting from a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is essential for breaking down lactose, the sugar found in milk. Individuals with lactose intolerance may experience symptoms like gas, diarrhea, and cramps after consuming lactose-containing foods. While the primary treatment involves avoiding lactose, natural treatments can help manage the condition. Lactase supplements are the most effective natural treatment, allowing individuals to digest lactose more easily. Additionally, lactose-free products, such as Lactaid milk, can be beneficial. Literature suggests that probiotics, like Lactobacillus acidophilus, may not significantly alleviate symptoms, despite some anecdotal reports. Moreover, those with lactose intolerance should consider calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent deficiencies associated with avoiding dairy products, which could lead to conditions like osteoporosis. It's important to differentiate lactose intolerance from milk allergy, as they are distinct conditions requiring different management strategies.
Natural treatments for lactose intolerance
- DEFINITION: Treatment of nonexistent levels of the lactose-digesting enzyme known as lactase in the digestive system.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENT: Lactase
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Calcium, probiotics
Introduction
Sugar comes in many forms. One type of sugar, lactose, occurs primarily in milk. Young children have the ability to digest lactose because they need to do so in infancy when they breastfeed. However, as a person grows up, they often lose the lactose-digesting enzyme known as lactase. The result is a condition called lactose intolerance. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include intestinal cramps, gas, and diarrhea following consumption of lactose-containing foods, such as milk and ice cream.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Lactose intolerance is most prevalent in people of Hispanic, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, or American Indian descent, although Caucasians can develop it. Treatment consists primarily of avoiding foods containing lactose. The use of lactase supplements may help people who are lactose intolerant handle more lactose than otherwise. Also, special milk products (such as Lactaid) are available from which the lactose has been removed (often through the use of lactase).
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Aside from lactase, there are no effective natural treatments for lactose intolerance. Despite some positive anecdotes, scientific evidence suggests that the use of probiotics (friendly bacteria) such as Lactobacillus acidophilus will not improve symptoms. However, natural medicine does have one noted contribution to make to people who are lactose intolerant: reminding them to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. People who avoid lactose-containing foods often do not get enough calcium or vitamin D in their diets, and they may therefore be at increased risk of osteoporosis and other health problems. Calcium supplements, such as TUMS, should correct this problem.
Many people confuse milk allergy with lactose intolerance. The two conditions are not related. Milk allergy involves an allergic reaction to the protein component of milk, and lactase supplements will not help.
Bibliography
"Lactose Intolerance." 5 Mar. 2022, Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374238. Accessed 27 Sept. 2024.
“Lactose Intolerance.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls, 17 Apr. 2023. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532285/. Accessed 27 Sept. 2024.
Ojetti, V., et al. “The Effect of Oral Supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or Tilactase in Lactose Intolerant Patients.” European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, vol. 14, 2010, pp. 163-170.
Saltzman, J. R., et al. “A Randomized Trial of Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 to Treat Lactose Intolerance.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 69, 1999, pp. 140-146.
Shaukat, A., et al. “Systematic Review: Effective Management Strategies for Lactose Intolerance.” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 152, 2010, pp. 797-803.
Szilagyi, Andrew, and Norma Ishayek. "Lactose Intolerance, Dairy Avoidance, and Treatment Options." Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 12, 2018. MDPI, doi.org/10.3390/nu10121994. Accessed 27 Sept. 2024.