Lactose Intolerance

Being lactose intolerant doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your favorite dairy foods and the health benefits that come with them.

Lactose Intolerance Facts

  • Lactose intolerance occurs when you have a lactase deficiency. It is not the same as an allergy to dairy. Learn more in this blog post: Lactose Intolerance vs. Dairy Allergy: What’s the Difference?
  • Many people self-diagnose themselves with lactose intolerance. A misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessarily avoiding dairy and result in unintentional health consequences. It is important to make sure your symptoms are not from another problem with the help of your doctor. 
  • Lactose intolerance is an individualized condition. Most people can still enjoy dairy foods by drinking lactose-free cow’s milk and choosing natural cheeses and yogurts. 
  • Lactose-free cow’s milk contains the same 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, protein, and vitamin D, as regular cow’s milk, just without the lactose.

 

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Science Summary:
Dairy Innovations

Most people do not meet the recommendations for dairy foods from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Lactose intolerance does not have to be a barrier to getting the essential nutrients dairy foods provide. Milk or dairy foods with little or no lactose and/or added sugars are now widely available in the U.S.

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Related FAQs

How do I know if I'm lactose intolerant?

Being lactose intolerant means you have a hard time digesting the sugar (called lactose) naturally found in milk. Symptoms may include stomachaches, bloating, or gassiness, but these symptoms can have many different causes and could also be signs of other digestive conditions. Visit your doctor to be properly tested for lactose intolerance.

Am I allergic to milk and other dairy foods?

Being lactose intolerant is not the same as having a milk allergy. A milk allergy is caused by a reaction to the protein in milk. This is different from lactose intolerance, which occurs when your body has a hard time digesting the natural sugar (lactose) in milk. Learn more about the important differences here.

Can children be lactose intolerant?

Lactose intolerance is less common in young children. If you think your child is lactose intolerant, talk to your family doctor, pediatrician or dietitian before limiting their dairy intake. Milk and dairy foods provide essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and protein that are vital for growing bodies.

I drank milk when I was younger. Why am I more senstive now?

Your body makes an enzyme called lactase to help digest the lactose in milk. As an adult, your body may be making less of this enzyme then when you were younger. However, you may still be able to enjoy the dairy foods you love.

Learn more about treatment, management, and tips for lactose intolerance.

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