Babies' bodies make the lactase enzyme so they can digest milk, including breast milk.
· Babies born too early (premature) sometimes have lactose intolerance.
· Children who were born at full term often do not show signs of the problem before they are 3 years old.
Lactose intolerance is very common in adults. It is rarely dangerous. About 30 million American adults have some degree of lactose intolerance by age 20.
· In white people, lactose intolerance often develops in children older than age 5. This is the age when our bodies may stop making lactase.
· In African Americans, the problem can occur as early as age 2.
· The condition is very common among adults with Asian, African, or Native American heritage.
· It is less common in people of northern or western European background, but still may occur.
An illness that involves or injures your small intestine may cause less of the lactase enzyme to be made. Treatment of these illnesses may improve the symptoms of lactose intolerance. These may include:
· Surgery of the small intestine
· Infections in the small intestine (this is most often seen in children)
Cutting down your intake of milk products that contain lactose from your diet most often eases symptoms. Also look at food labels for hidden sources of lactose in nonmilk products (including some beers) and avoid these.
Most people with low lactase level can drink up to one half cup of milk at one time (2 to 4 ounces or 60 to 120 milliliters) without having symptoms. Larger servings (more than 8 ounces or 240 mL) may cause problems for people with the deficiency.
Milk products that may be easier to digest include:
· Buttermilk and cheeses (these foods contain less lactose than milk)
· Fermented milk products, such as yogurt
· Goat's milk
· Ice cream, milkshakes, and aged or hard cheeses
· Lactose-free milk and milk products
· Lactase-treated cow's milk for older children and adults
· Soy formulas for infants younger than 2 years
· Soy or rice milk for toddlers
You can add lactase enzymes to regular milk. You can also take these enzymes as capsules or chewable tablets. There are also many lactose-free dairy products available.
Not having milk and other dairy products in your diet can lead to a shortage of calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and protein. You need 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium each day depending on your age and gender. Some things you can do to get more calcium in your diet are:
· Take calcium supplements with Vitamin D. Talk to your health care provider about which ones to choose.
· Eat foods that have more calcium (such as leafy greens, oysters, sardines, canned salmon, shrimp, and broccoli).
Symptoms most often go away when you remove milk, other dairy products, and other sources of lactose from your diet. Without dietary changes, infants or children may have growth problems.
Непереносимость лактозы не является серьезным заболеванием. Ограничение употребления в пищу продуктов, содержащих лактозу, или прием лекарственных препаратов может помочь вашему организму усвоить лактозу. Возможно, вам придется принимать препараты кальция, если он не будет в достаточном количестве поступать в организм с молочными продуктами питания. Это связано с тем, что молоко и молочные продукты являются наиболее распространенным источником кальция для большинства людей.
