Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Have You Also Noticed Suddenly Becoming Lactose Intolerant? Nutritionist Explains Why

Have you been drinking milk all your life and suddenly your gut cannot tolerate it? Are you also finding out that you are suddenly <span>lactose intolerant</span>, and trying to find the reason? Nutritionist Sonia Narang might have the answer. 

In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Narang decodes Indian diet and its benefits and risks, if not consumed correctly. This is when Raj Shamani throws the question of lactose intolerance, especially when someone like him has been drinking milk since childhood and can no longer tolerate it.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/fact-check-is-weight-lifting-safe-for-teens-an-expert-explains-the-risks-and-safer-alternatives-article-153475828" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Fact Check: Is Weight Lifting Safe for Teens? An Expert Explains the Risks and Safer Alternatives</a> 

<h2>What Does The Expert Say About Sudden Lactose Intolerance?</h2>

Narang first explains what lactose is and how it works in one's body. She starts with explaining <span>lactase</span>, which is a sugar found in milk, and digested by lactase, an enzyme found in small intestine. 

She then explains that in small intestine, there are brush like formations, called villi, which further have smaller brush called microvilli. This is where lactase is made. This is what helps the breakdown of lactose. 

However, she explains, overtime, whether due to age, or infection, lifestyle, bad food choices, the ability of microvilli to produce lactase decreases. She points out that as kids, the production of lactase is enough, due to less exposure to bad food choices. 

<h2>Can You Reverse Lactose Intolerance?</h2>

Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. There are ways to manage or improve lactose intolerance. Narang says that the first step is to eliminate milk completely, and then start with having curd as alternative. "While curd is a dairy product, it already has bacteria that makes it pre-digested," she points out. 

She also recommends to slowly introduce milk, "just two spoons between the meals". Since milk is consumed with food, it will digest slowly and by the time it reaches the intestine, small intestine will get the time to produce enough amounts of lactase to digest two spoons of milk, she points out.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/5-cows-milk-substitutesand-what-to-look-for-before-you-buy-article-151802760" data-type="tilCustomLink">5 Cow’s Milk Substitutes—And What To Look For Before You Buy</a> 

As per the NHS, UK, lactose intolerance is when you get symptoms like stomach ache after eating food containing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. 

<h2>What Are The Common Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance?</h2>

<ul><li>tummy pain or discomfort</li><li>bloating</li><li>farting</li><li>tummy rumbling</li><li>diarrhea or constipation</li><li>feeling sick or being sick</li></ul>

<ul><li>milk</li><li>butter</li><li>cheese</li><li>cream</li><li>yoghurt</li><li>ice cream</li></ul>Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/measles-outbreak-confirmed-in-two-south-carolina-college-article-153475215" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Measles Outbreak Confirmed In Two South Carolina College</a>

Many processed foods can also contain lactose, including:

<ul><li>cereals</li><li>baked foods like bread, crackers, cakes, biscuits, and pastry</li><li>sauces and salad dressings</li><li>diet and protein shakes</li></ul>

Note: Health and Me does not promote any changes to be made in your diet. Always consult your nutritionist or dietitian and your doctor before changing your diet. This piece is based on publicly available content.

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lactase digests lactose

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Have you been drinking milk all your life and suddenly your gut cannot tolerate it? Are you also finding out that you are suddenly lactose intolerant, and trying to find the reason? Nutritionist Sonia Narang might have the answer. In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Narang decodes Indian diet and its benefits and risks, if not consumed correctly. This is when Raj Shamani throws the question of lactose intolerance, especially when someone like him has been drinking milk since childhood and can no longer tolerate it.Also Read: Fact Check: Is Weight Lifting Safe for Teens? An Expert Explains the Risks and Safer Alternatives What Does The Expert Say About Sudden Lactose Intolerance?Narang first explains what lactose is and how it works in one's body. She starts with explaining lactase, which is a sugar found in milk, and digested by lactase, an enzyme found in small intestine. She then explains that in small intestine, there are brush like formations, called villi, which further have smaller brush called microvilli. This is where lactase is made. This is what helps the breakdown of lactose. However, she explains, overtime, whether due to age, or infection, lifestyle, bad food choices, the ability of microvilli to produce lactase decreases. She points out that as kids, the production of lactase is enough, due to less exposure to bad food choices. Can You Reverse Lactose Intolerance?Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. There are ways to manage or improve lactose intolerance. Narang says that the first step is to eliminate milk completely, and then start with having curd as alternative. "While curd is a dairy product, it already has bacteria that makes it pre-digested," she points out. She also recommends to slowly introduce milk, "just two spoons between the meals". Since milk is consumed with food, it will digest slowly and by the time it reaches the intestine, small intestine will get the time to produce enough amounts of lactase to digest two spoons of milk, she points out.Read: 5 Cow’s Milk Substitutes—And What To Look For Before You Buy What Is Lactose Intolerance?As per the NHS, UK, lactose intolerance is when you get symptoms like stomach ache after eating food containing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. What Are The Common Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance?tummy pain or discomfortbloatingfartingtummy rumblingdiarrhea or constipationfeeling sick or being sickWhat Foods Contain Lactose?Dairy products include:milkbuttercheesecreamyoghurtice creamAlso Read: Measles Outbreak Confirmed In Two South Carolina CollegeMany processed foods can also contain lactose, including:cerealsbaked foods like bread, crackers, cakes, biscuits, and pastrysauces and salad dressingsdiet and protein shakesNote: Health and Me does not promote any changes to be made in your diet. Always consult your nutritionist or dietitian and your doctor before changing your diet. This piece is based on publicly available content.