Lactose Intolerance

I love milk. I grew up drinking whole milk because as a kid, my grandpa believed it would make me grow taller and stronger. I guess it worked because I’m Asian American and I stand 5’5 (165 cm) tall. I tower over most of my friends and I’m neck to neck with my boyfriend. On special occasions where I’m in heels, I can see the top of his head!

Lately, I’m starting to realize that my body is outgrowing the ability to digest milk or any lactose product thereof. I can tolerate some amount of lactose in my diet like a small scoop of ice cream or cheese on my hamburger. But I get a queasy feeling in my tummy after a bowl of morning cereal or drinking a cold caffè latte.

What is lactose intolerance?

Primary lactase deficiency develops over time and begins after about age 2 when the body begins to produce less lactase. Most children who have lactase deficiency do not experience symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood. Some ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans.

Researchers have identified a possible genetic link to primary lactase deficiency in children inherited from their parents that makes it likely they will develop primary lactase deficiency. My mom has a slight lactose intolerance with milkshakes and ice cream but youngest sister has lived with lactose intolerance all her life. She could only consume lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk and milk products. Taking tablets or liquid enzyme when consuming milk or milk products make these foods more tolerable for her with lactose intolerance.

What can I do about lactose intolerance?

• Eat less of all foods with lactose (butter, ice cream, milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, and prepared foods that has lactose added such as bread, cereal, salad dressings, mixes for cakes, cookies, pancakes and biscuits)
• Read food labels to find out if a food has lactose in it.
• Take tablets, pills or liquid enzyme to help digest foods with lactose.
• Eat enough foods with calcium (broccoli, tofu, and salmon) since you are no longer able to get it from milk or milk products.

Visit the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) for more info.