Drink lactose-free milk with lactose intolerance

Drink lactose-free milk with lactose intolerance.

(17.09.2010) Patients suffering from lactose intolerance complain of heavy abdominal pain, flatulence or even diarrhea when consuming normal milk or dairy products. But there are also lactose-free and soy products on the market that do not contain lactose. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) provides information on what should be considered when shopping.

More and more dairy companies offer dairy products that contain almost no lactose. With commercially available lactose-free milk, the lactose content is just 0.1 percent. The dairy products are actually derived from just plain cow's milk. However, the individual milk constituents were already split and the lactose fraction was largely eliminated. For this reason, the milk tastes a little sweeter than the conventional milk.

As the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) reports, symptoms and discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea in a manifested lactose intolerance can usually be alleviated if milk products are largely avoided. When dairy products are already consumed, they should be consumed as possible with other foods at the same time. Many sufferers also tolerate milk if it is consumed only in moderation and throughout the day. The maximum amount over a day is about two cups of milk.

Milk sugar is tucked away hidden in numerous products that one initially does not suspect. Especially in finished products lactose is often used. For this reason, those concerned should study very closely the contents of the products. On the packaging usually terms such as lactose, lactose, lactose monohydrate, lactose monohydrate or lactose are specified. Milk sugar is also included in other products, which, according to the contents, contain sheep's or goat's milk.

It sometimes happens that products containing a small amount of lactose are tolerated. But suddenly it comes to the typical complaints. Many product manufacturers change the recipe of the finished product from time to time. For this reason, consumers with a lactose intolerance should also read from time to time the indication of the amount and portion.

The lack of lactase may be congenital (primary) or acquired (secondary). Rarely, babies are affected by ailments in the innate form, and the primary deficiency usually manifests itself in adulthood, as lactase production declines and finally comes to a standstill.

According to estimates, around 20 percent of the population in Germany suffer from lactose intolerance. Worldwide, the proportion is estimated at just over a third, especially since people from Asia and Africa can not tolerate lactose. Intolerance of milk or milk products can be determined very easily by a H2 breath test. "Before you give up certain foods, you should be as sure as possible, which is really the problem," explains Professor. med. Jürgen Windeler, head of IQWiG. Because other health problems such as irritable bowel syndrome can trigger similar symptoms. If sufferers largely or completely dispense with milk and dairy products, it is important to pay attention to a balanced diet. It's not lactose that we need for our health, but it's other components of the milk - especially calcium. (Sb)

Picture credits: almotti