Why Milk Causes Discomfort for Some People

Most of us have experienced drinking milk or eating dairy and feeling bloated and nauseous. Even Vomiting and Diarrhea are common symptoms

If you get these symptoms after eating any dairy product, it's most likely due to lactose intolerance.

What Is Lactose and Where Does It Come From?

All mammals, including humans, produce a sugar named lactose. It is present in all dairy products including yogurt, cheese and cream. These products typically have lower lactose levels than milk.

The Role of Lactase in Digesting Lactose

Normally, your intestines have no problem dealing with lactose. An enzyme called lactase, which is found in your small intestine, helps to break lactose into two constituent sugars: glucose and galactose. These are easy for your intestines to absorb and are also used as an energy source by your body.

The more people learn about and understand their digestive health, the more interested they become in lactose. According to the GMI Research, the India Lactose Market will grow at a strong CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period up to 2032.

The situation starts when there is insufficient low levels of lactase.

When there is insufficient lactase present, there is no breakdown of the lactose. It continues to move throughout the digestive tract without being absorbed, and along the way causes digestive symptoms. These include bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Low levels of lactase can be explained for many reasons.

The most common is genetics. In many people, lactase production reduces naturally after childhood, Other conditions that affect digestion such as inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn's disease can affect enzyme production. Any surgical procedures that involve the small intestine may also have a similar impact.

Most infants are able to digest lactose without any problems. As we get older and after we are weaned from breast/ formula, the body naturally reduces the levels of lactase production and intolerances to lactose begin to develop. The condition of congenital lactose intolerance exists, and is most commonly associated with premature babies and underdeveloped intestines. The symptoms are often self limited and improve with time as the intestines mature.

Coping with Lactose Intolerance: What Helps

In the past, advice was to simply refrain from dairy if you were lactose intolerant.

This is no longer the case.

Many individuals who are lactose intolerant can consume some dairy products without experiencing too much discomfort. It’s all about figuring out your personal tolerance. This way, you can continue to obtain the vital nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins that are present in dairy and dairy products.

Your physician may assist you in determining the amount of lactose your body can tolerate and whether you may need to make dietary changes or take dietary supplements.