Lactose intolerance

Lactose is the main carbohydrate in the milk of mammals.
Breast milk also has high lactose content (c. 7g/100ml), making it one of the most important energy sources for infants. During digestion, lactose reaches the small intestine, where it is converted into glucose and galactose. These components then enter the bloodstream through the intestinal wall and are used in the cells to produce energy. In addition, lactose supports the development of healthy intestinal flora in breast-fed infants.

Babies of breast-feeding age can generally metabolise lactose very well. Only in very rare case, lactose intolerance in innate. When a person grows older, however, the ability to digest lactose may be lost, and a “primary lactase deficiency” arises. This is the most common form of lactose intolerance and can lead to symptoms as early as childhood. In case of complaints, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Possible symptoms and testing methods

Lactose intolerance manifests in the form of complaints in the gastrointestinal tract, which occur after the consumption of milk and dairy products. Possible symptoms include flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and nausea.

The symptoms depend heavily on the individual degree of lactose intolerance and are very unspecific. To rule out other causes for the symptoms, you should talk to your paediatrician about your suspicions.

The paediatrician can verify the suspicions of lactose intolerance by means of established test procedures.

One such test is the breath test after lactose ingestion (hydrogen breath test). This test is very reliable and is suitable for toddlers older than one year. The test requires your child to drink a lactose solution on an empty stomach. In the following house, the hydrogen content of the exhaled air is measured.

Many people believe that their lactose intolerance forces them to completely avoid milk, and to adhere to a diet that does not contain any milk and diary products. However, this is not necessary, even with cases of acute lactose as varying quantities of different amounts of lactose is tolerated without any adverse reaction.

Milk and dairy products contain many healthy nutrients and are, above all, an important source of calcium. Avoiding them is therefore problematic, especially for toddlers, to ensure that they have sufficient intake of calcium for healthy bone formation. In infancy, bone growth is particularly strong.

If a low-lactose diet is desired or required in infancy, milk and dairy products should not be avoided altogether. Instead, feed your child appropriate lactose-free milk products.

Before using lactose-free formula foods, you should consult your paediatrician first. He/she can advise you and determine if this is suitable for your child.

If you/your child have been diagnosed as lactose intolerant, your/your child’s diet must be changed. Lactose intolerance is not curable, but you can avoid its symptoms by taking care in your choice of diet.

At the start, foods containing lactose should be avoided to soothe the intestines. After a period of time, the intake of lactose can be resumed, by starting off with small amounts first. The amount should reflect the degree of intolerance. This serves to test how much the body can tolerate: at what time of day, in what quantity, and in connection with what other foods. Intake of lactose as part of a meal tends to be tolerated better than in between meals. Dairy products such as cheese contain very little lactose and are often very well tolerated. Yogurt is also a healthy alternative that is often well tolerated, especially in smaller quantities.

No one needs to restrict his/her diet for the rest of their lives, but sensible management is recommended. To minimise discomfort, you can choose from the lactose-free products available in the market today.