Liberation from Lactose Intolerance

Many people are not able to drink milk nor consume any other kind of dairy products. This condition is the result of being lactose intolerant. Unfortunately deleting dairy products from one's diet can cause a nutrition deficiency that results in health and body development problems. However, even though a person may be lactose intolerant, she or he can develop a diet which includes dairy products and non-dairy products.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a condition that disables a person from digesting large amounts of lactose, which is in the sugar of milk. A person with the condition has a shortage of the lactase enzyme, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestines. Lactose breaks down milk sugar into simpler forms that can be adsorbed into the blood stream. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed the person suffers discomfort.

Being lactose intolerant results in nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. The severity of symptoms varies, depending on the amount of lactose each individual can tolerate. So many people who are lactose intolerant treat their condition by not eating any dairy products.

Importance Of Dairy Product
Dairy products are the main source of many important nutrients. Dairy products contain:

Calcium- needed for strong bones and teeth

Protein- for building strong muscles

Potassium- balances fluid in the body; support heart and nerve function

Vitamin A- promote cell growth and healthy skin and hair

Vitamin D- needed to absorb calcium

Thiamin- increase energy and metabolism

Riboflavin- increase energy and metabolism and build tissue

Niacin- increase energy and metabolism, good for the nerve system

Vitamin B12-help develop red blood cells

Zinc-plays a role in cell reproduction

Phosphorous- develop healthy bones and teeth and balances the acid base in the body

All of these nutrients are important in developing a strong healthy body. The consumption of these dairy products is the main source of getting these vitamin and minerals. If people who are lactose intolerant cut dairy products from their diet completely they may become deficient in the nutrients they provide.

Treating Lactose Intolerance
To keep from becoming deficient in the vitamins and minerals that are found in dairy products, there are steps a lactose intolerant person can take:

Food and nutritional supplements- A person should eat food containing the nutrients found in dairy products and use nutritional supplements.

Lactose Tolerance Level- Find out your lactose tolerance level. Some people with the condition can consume dairy products in a limited amount.

Goat Milk- Lactose intolerant people can drink goat milk. Goat milk is more digestible because it is found to be more easily absorbed than cow's milk.

Lactose Reduced Milk- In this milk the lactose is reduce to make it more digestible for people with the condition.

Cow Milk- If your lactose tolerance level allows you to drink a limited amount of milk, drink the milk with meals and snacks. Milk digests easier when mixed with food.

Lactose Enzyme Supplement- This supplement puts Lactase, which is needed in the body to digest lactose, in the system of a body that is deficient in the enzyme. Acidophilus is a common enzyme supplement used.

Cheese and Yogurt- Hard, aged cheese and yogurt can be eaten. The process of making aged cheese removes much of the lactose. Yogurt contains live active cultures that help digest lactose.

Being lactose intolerant can be a problem. However, a person can over come the limits of the condition. This can be done through the proper balance of dairy products, non-dairy products, and supplements.