Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance refers to a reduced ability to digest lactose, or milk sugar. Around 75% of the world's population is lactose intolerant to some degree, due to not producing the lactase enzyme in adulthood. Products like cheese and yogurt are lower in lactose than milk is, but some people can't handle any lactose at all without lactase enzyme supplementation. Occasional low-level dairy consumption may foster gut bacteria that help digest lactose.
Lactose Intolerance falls under theGut Healthcategory.
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
Lactose intolerance is the reduced ability to digest lactose (the sugar in milk) due to a decline in lactase enzyme production after childhood. Approximately 70% of the global adult population experiences some degree of lactose intolerance.
Lactose intolerance leads to various digestive symptoms, including flatulence, bloating, borborygmus, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea, which typically occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming lactose. The symptoms arise from intestinal bacteria that ferment undigested lactose.
Lactose intolerance in adults is primarily diagnosed through dietary history and the lactose breath test. For infants who are suspected of congenital lactase deficiency, genetic testing for mutations in the LCT gene is recommended if they respond well to lactose elimination.
Lactose intolerance is a normal condition in adults that typically doesn't require medical treatment because it often resolves when underlying illnesses are treated. Symptoms can be managed by reducing dietary lactose, supplementing with lactase enzyme, or using probiotics.
The primary supplement studied for lactose intolerance is the lactase enzyme, which effectively reduces or eliminates digestive symptoms when it is taken with lactose-containing foods. Probiotics, particularly Bifidobacterium animalis, have also been researched, and a genetically modified strain of L. acidophilus that produces lactase is under investigation but lacks published peer-reviewed research.
Diet can significantly affect lactose intolerance because not all dairy foods contain the same amount of lactose, and many people can tolerate moderate amounts without symptoms. Additionally, some nondairy processed foods may contain added lactose, so people who are sensitive to lactose should read labels carefully.
Dietary changes and supplementary lactase enzyme are the most effective treatments for managing lactose intolerance symptoms. Probiotics have also been researched as a potential treatment option.
Lactose intolerance can be classified into 3 types: primary, secondary, and congenital. Primary lactose intolerance (the most common type) results from a natural decline in lactase production, secondary lactose intolerance occurs due to damage to the small intestine, and congenital lactase deficiency is a rare genetic condition that is present from birth.
- ^Ugidos-Rodríguez S, Matallana-González MC, Sánchez-Mata MCLactose malabsorption and intolerance: a review.Food Funct.(2018-Aug-15)
- ^Di Costanzo M, Berni Canani RLactose Intolerance: Common Misunderstandings.Ann Nutr Metab.(2018)
- ^Ojetti V, Gigante G, Gabrielli M, Ainora ME, Mannocci A, Lauritano EC, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini AThe effect of oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or tilactase in lactose intolerant patients: randomized trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2010 Mar)
- ^Corazza GR, Benati G, Sorge M, Strocchi A, Calza G, Gasbarrini Gbeta-Galactosidase from Aspergillus niger in adult lactose malabsorption: a double-blind crossover studyAliment Pharmacol Ther.(1992 Feb)
- ^Solomons NW, Guerrero AM, Torun BDietary manipulation of postprandial colonic lactose fermentation: II. Addition of exogenous, microbial beta-galactosidases at mealtimeAm J Clin Nutr.(1985 Feb)
- ^Montalto M, Nucera G, Santoro L, Curigliano V, Vastola M, Covino M, Cuoco L, Manna R, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini GEffect of exogenous beta-galactosidase in patients with lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a crossover double-blind placebo-controlled studyEur J Clin Nutr.(2005 Apr)
- ^Oak SJ, Jha RThe effects of probiotics in lactose intolerance: A systematic review.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.(2019)
- ^Lemuel W. Taylor IVDoes Daily Supplementation of Lactobacillus Acidophilus MPH734, for One Week, Affect Acute (Immediate), Subacute (7 Days), and Post-treatment Discontinuation Lactose Metabolism, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Clinical Markers of Inflammation and Safety Compared to a Placebo (LF)(preregistration).(2020-08)
- ^Usai-Satta P, Scarpa M, Oppia F, Cabras FLactose malabsorption and intolerance: What should be the best clinical management?World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther.(2012-Jun-06)
- ^Pop Rocks FAQ
- ^Pringles Salt and Vinegar Chips
- ^Fazeli W, Kaczmarek S, Kirschstein M, Santer RA novel mutation within the lactase gene (LCT): the first report of congenital lactase deficiency diagnosed in Central Europe.BMC Gastroenterol.(2015-Jul-28)
- ^Silanikove N, Leitner G, Merin UThe Interrelationships between Lactose Intolerance and the Modern Dairy Industry: Global Perspectives in Evolutional and Historical BackgroundsNutrients.(2015 Aug 31)
- ^Vuorisalo T, Arjamaa O, Vasemägi A, Taavitsainen JP, Tourunen A, Saloniemi IHigh lactose tolerance in North Europeans: a result of migration, not in situ milk consumptionPerspect Biol Med.(2012)
- ^Ajmol Ali, Sung-Je Lee and Kay J. Rutherfurd-MarkwickSports and Exercise SupplementsWhey Proteins: From Milk to Medicine.(2019)
- ^E.A.Foegeding, P.Luck, B.VardhanabhutiSports and Exercise SupplementsEncyclopedia of Dairy Sciences (Second Edition).(2011-04)
- ^Kliegman RM, Sparks JWPerinatal galactose metabolism.J Pediatr.(1985-Dec)
- ^Coelho AI, Berry GT, Rubio-Gozalbo MEGalactose metabolism and health.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care.(2015-Jul)
- ^Alexander DD, Bylsma LC, Vargas AJ, Cohen SS, Doucette A, Mohamed M, Irvin SR, Miller PE, Watson H, Fryzek JPDairy consumption and CVD: a systematic review and meta-analysisBr J Nutr.(2016 Feb 28)
- Breath Hydrogen - Barillas C, Solomons NWEffective reduction of lactose maldigestion in preschool children by direct addition of beta-galactosidases to milk at mealtimePediatrics.(1987 May)
- Breath Hydrogen - Ibba I, Gilli A, Boi MF, Usai PEffects of exogenous lactase administration on hydrogen breath excretion and intestinal symptoms in patients presenting lactose malabsorption and intoleranceBiomed Res Int.(2014)
- Breath Hydrogen - Corazza GR, Benati G, Sorge M, Strocchi A, Calza G, Gasbarrini Gbeta-Galactosidase from Aspergillus niger in adult lactose malabsorption: a double-blind crossover studyAliment Pharmacol Ther.(1992 Feb)
- Breath Hydrogen - Solomons NW, Guerrero AM, Torun BDietary manipulation of postprandial colonic lactose fermentation: II. Addition of exogenous, microbial beta-galactosidases at mealtimeAm J Clin Nutr.(1985 Feb)
- Breath Hydrogen - Ojetti V, Gigante G, Gabrielli M, Ainora ME, Mannocci A, Lauritano EC, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini AThe effect of oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or tilactase in lactose intolerant patients: randomized trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2010 Mar)
- Breath Hydrogen - de Vrese M, Laue C, Offick B, Soeth E, Repenning F, Thoß A, Schrezenmeir JA combination of acid lactase from Aspergillus oryzae and yogurt bacteria improves lactose digestion in lactose maldigesters synergistically: A randomized, controlled, double-blind cross-over trialClin Nutr.(2015 Jun)
- Breath Hydrogen - Montalto M, Nucera G, Santoro L, Curigliano V, Vastola M, Covino M, Cuoco L, Manna R, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini GEffect of exogenous beta-galactosidase in patients with lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a crossover double-blind placebo-controlled studyEur J Clin Nutr.(2005 Apr)
- Breath Hydrogen - Medow MS, Thek KD, Newman LJ, Berezin S, Glassman MS, Schwarz SMBeta-galactosidase tablets in the treatment of lactose intolerance in pediatricsAm J Dis Child.(1990 Nov)
- Breath Hydrogen - Rosado JL, Solomons NW, Lisker R, Bourges HEnzyme replacement therapy for primary adult lactase deficiency. Effective reduction of lactose malabsorption and milk intolerance by direct addition of beta-galactosidase to milk at mealtimeGastroenterology.(1984 Nov)
- Heartburn Symptoms - Cheng AH, Brunser O, Espinoza J, Fones HL, Monckeberg F, Chichester CO, Rand G, Hourigan AGLong-term acceptance of low-lactose milkAm J Clin Nutr.(1979 Oct)