Lactose Intolerance/ Deficiency

By: Allison Tovar and Kathryn Ceneskie

Definition for Lactose Intolerance

The inability to digest and absorb lactose (the sugar in milk) that results in gastrointestinal symptoms when milk or food products containing milk are consumed.

Examples: Cheese, Yogurt, Ice Cream, Milk, Cake, Chocolate, etc.

Symptoms

• Abdominal Cramps• Diarrhea• Gas• Nausea• Abdominal Bloating• Gurgling or rumbling sounds in the lower belly. • Throwing up.

Symptoms can be mild or severe.

Questions and Answers

Can lactose intolerance be dangerous?- there can be severe cases where you have

to get intestinal surgery. who does lactose intolerance mostly affect?

- it mostly affects infants and adults. how can one strengthen the body without the calcium in milk?

-you can take vitamin supplements once a day and milk without lactate.

Treatment

Decreasing or removing milk products from the diet usually improves the symptoms.Most people with low lactase levels can drink 2 - 4 ounces of milk at one time (up to one-half cup) without having symptoms. Larger (more than 8 oz.) servings may cause problems for people with lactase deficiency.

MILK PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE EASIER TO DIGESTButtermilk and cheeses (they have less lactose than milk)Fermented milk products, such as yogurtGoat's milk (but drink it with meals, and make sure it is supplemented with essential amino acids and vitamins if you give it to children)Ice cream, milkshakes, and aged or hard cheesesLactose-free milk and milk productsLactase-treated cow's milk for older children and adultsSoy formulas for infants younger than 2 yearsSoy or rice milk for toddlers

Long Term Health ConsequencesThe important long-term health consequence of lactose intolerance is calcium deficiency that can lead to osteoporosis. Less commonly, vitamin D deficiency may occur and compound the bone disease. Both can be prevented easily by calcium and vitamin D supplements

Facts

Lactose intolerance is more common in people with Asian, African, Native American, or Mediterranean ancestry than it is among northern and western Europeans. Causes of lactose intolerance include:Bowel surgeryInfections in the small intestine from viruses or bacteria, which may damage the cells lining the intestine (most often in children)Intestinal diseases such as celiac sprue There is no way to prevent lactose intolerance.It is harder for one that is lactose intolerant to get enough protein their body need

Citations

http://kellynguyen67.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/stomach-ache.jpg•http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/lactose-intolerance-symptoms•http://www.theallergysite.co.uk/dairy.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001321http://www.medicinenet.com/lactose_intolerance/page8.htm

Summary!!! (thank goodness its done!)

Lactose Intolerance has many levels of severity. An easy way to treat it is just not to eat food with lactate in it. It appears hours or days after consumption.

Common symptoms include: Irritable bowel syndrome Joint problems Migraines Muscle and joint pain Depression and anxiety Fatigue Nausea and vomiting Ulcers and hyperactivity in children