There is nothing new about being lactose-intolerant, but there are some misconceptions about what it is and how it affects people. It is common to hear that people with a lactose intolerance can’t consume dairy products, but that is not the case, and in this article we will explain what lactose-intolerance is, how it affects people and what alternatives there are for people with this condition.
What is lactose and what problems does it cause?
Milk contains lactose as a natural ingredient. It is a sugar molecule and your body requires an enzyme called lactase in order for you to digest it. Lactase works to split lactose into two molecules, glucose and galactose. This helps the body digest these smaller molecules, which can be absorbed by the small intestines and means we can digest dairy products like milk easily. However, it is possible for the body to have low levels of lactase. In this case the important split of the lactose molecules doesn’t happen in the small intestines. This means when it reaches the large intestines gut bacteria has a big job in trying to break the lactose molecules down. The result of this is stomach discomfort and feeling bloated, which can be painful and unpleasant.
These symptoms are lactose-intolerance. It is difficult to know what lactase levels an individual has in their body, and hence some people are more affected by consuming dairy products than others, while lactose-intolerance can be a permanent condition for some people, but only short-term for others. However, if you are lactose-intolerant, or are sensitive to lactose, this doesn’t mean you have to stop drinking milk.
What is lactose-free milk?
Lactose-free milk is now a product commonly found in shops and supermarkets. This is normal, natural cow’s milk that is produced using a process that does the job of lactase and splits the lactose into glucose and galactose, effectively making the milk digestible for everyone with no discomfort.
Making lactose-free milk involves passing the milk through filtering processes before adding sufficient levels of the lactase enzyme in order that it breaks down the lactose molecules. In other words, it works in a way that your body is not able to and effectively pre-digests the lactose for you, preventing it causing a problem for your body. This process retains the taste of the milk and only very slightly affects the levels of carbohydrate, vitamins, calcium and protein. Lactose-free milk can also still be used for the same cooking and baking applications as regular milk.
Who is lactose-free milk for?
If you regularly suffer from stomach pains and bloating when drinking dairy products, lactose-free milk is a great alternative which will allow you to enjoy milk and associated dairy products with no problems. So lactose-free milk is specifically designed for people with a lactose-intolerance and allows them to enjoy dairy without the uncomfortable digestive problems they have previously experienced. It is also ideal for people who are lactose-sensitive, ie. people who may occasionally experience stomach discomfort when digesting milk and wish to avoid it.
You can read more about lactose-intolerance and our lactose-free milk here.