Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

A Look at Lactose Intolerance


Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains 4-5% lactose, whereas human milk contains almost twice that amount. Lactose provides 30-50% of the energy in milk, depending on the fat content (skim vs. homogenized).A number of individuals are affected by lactose in the diet, but there is a difference between intolerance and maldigestion.

Lactose maldigestion is "a disorder characterized by reduced digestion of lactose due to the low availability of the enzyme lactase." Lactose intolerance is "the term for gastointestinal symptoms (flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and 'rumbling in the bowel') resulting from the consumption of more lactose than can be digested with available lactase." In other words, intolerance refers to the symptoms of the maldigestive disorder caused by an insufficient enzyme required to hydrolyze lactose to galactose and glucose.

Genetic defects often cause a deficiency of lactase, as well as injuries to the mucosa lining of the intestines or with age (as we age our enzyme levels decrease). When lactose molecules remain in the intestine undigested, they absorb water and this can cause bloating, discomfort, cramping, diarrhea, and nausea. Bacterial fermentation along the intestinal tract that produces lactic acid and gas is also a characteristic of lactose intolerance.

It is estimated that one in three adults suffer from lactose maldigestion and it appears to be inherited in about 80% of the world's population, including most Greeks, Asians, and Africans.

Those who suffer from any discomfort after eating or drinking milk products can consume foods labeled lactose free or take an enzyme preparation such as Lact-Aid to aid digestion. Do note, however, that lactose intolerance varies and the amount of lactose allowed in a diet depends on an individual's tolerance. Some people cannot tolerate milk, ice cream, or creamed foods, but they can eat aged cheeses and yogurt (some brands are better tolerated than others) without difficulty. Lactose products include:

Grain Products: Breads and muffins made with milk, pancakes, and waffles; cake or cookie mixes, pie crusts made from butter or margarine, French toast, some dry cereals, and biscuits.

Fruits and Vegetables: Canned and frozen fruits or vegetables processed with lactose, buttered, creamed, or breaded vegetables.

Milk and Milk Products: Milk (dried, evaporated, nonfat, and whole), yogurt, ice cream, sherbet, cheese, custard, puddings, and whey and casein proteins manufactured with lactobacillus/acidophilus culture.

Meat and Meat Alternatives: Meats, fish, or poultry creamed or breaded, sausage and other cold cuts containing nonfat-milk solids, some peanut butter, and omelets and soufflés containing milk.

Other: Instant coffees, margarine, dressings, sugar substitutes containing lactose, toffee, chocolate, creamed soups, butter, cream, some cocoas, caramels, chewing gum, some vitamin-mineral supplements, some drugs, peppermint, and butterscotch.

Since calcium is a major component of many lactose-containing foods, it is vital that individuals who are lactose-intolerant receive adequate calcium from other foods (in fact, milk is not an ideal source of calcium, as will be discussed in Chapter Seven). These include almonds, brazil nuts, caviar, kelp, canned salmon, canned sardines, shrimp, soybeans, and turnip greens, broccoli, strawberries, and leafy greens. Leafy greens are currently under suspicion as a viable calcium source since greens are now believed to contain certain calcium binding agents that prevent calcium absorption.

You may publish this article in your newsletter, on your web site, or other publications, so long as the article's content is not altered and the resource box is included. Add byline and active link. Notification of the use of this article is appreciated, but not required.

Brian D. Johnston is the Director of Education and President of the I.A.R.T. fitness certification and education institute. He has written over 12 books and is a contributing author to the Merck Medical Manual. An international lecturer, Mr. Johnston wears many hats in the fitness and health industries, and can be reached at info@ExerciseCertification.com. Visit his site at http://www.ExerciseCertification.com for more free articles.


MORE RESOURCES:

ABC News

Walmart 'Great for You' Healthy Labels: Nutrition Experts Say 'Devil in the ...
ABC News
As Walmart announced plans today to label certain foods with a new green "Great for You" label, some diet and nutrition experts told ABC News they applauded the move, while others questioned whether a company that sells food could set objective ...
Walmart to Label Healthy FoodsNew York Times
Walmart joins stores labeling healthier food selectionsBoston Herald
Eggs Receive Great for You Seal from WalmartMarketWatch (press release)
Los Angeles Times -BlissTree
all 353 news articles »


The Nutrition Facts Label: Your Tool for a Healthy Heart
Sacramento Bee
It's called the Nutrition Facts Label, and you can find it on all packaged foods and beverages. The Nutrition Facts Label lets you know exactly what you're eating and helps you track the various nutrients you are getting from the foods you eat.

and more »


Practical Nutrition: A bit of dark chocolate is a good thing, but go for 70 ...
Richmond Times Dispatch
Dove dark chocolate has nutrition claims similar to the kisses on some of their products. The small boxes of Godiva chocolates did not list any claims. For heart-health benefits, enjoy a 1-ounce portion of a high-percentage cacao dark chocolate three ...
Grocery Store Chocolate May Not Stack UpPatch.com

all 8 news articles »


Barbara Quinn: Nutrition for your pregnant daughter
Monterey County Herald
And now that I'm pregnant, I have your nutrition advice on speed dial." (Whatever that means.) Poor thing. Her first three months of pregnancy were rough. Nothing stayed down and it wasn't so pleasant when it came back up. Lots of friends offered their ...

and more »


Liquid Nutrition Announces Major Franchise Deal in Quebec
EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
TORONTO--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Liquid Nutrition Group Inc. (“Liquid Nutrition” or “Company”) (TSX-V: LQD.V and LQD.WT) announced today a major franchise deal in Quebec which will more than double the number of Liquid Nutrition stores in the ...

and more »


FirstFitness Nutrition Announces XanoLean™ - Major Breakthrough in Appetite ...
PR Newswire (press release)
7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstFitness Nutrition, which is in the process of merging with Medical Alarm Concepts Holding, Inc. (OTCQB: MDHI.PK), today announces XanoLean™, the world's first nutraceutical formula to solve the problem of food addiction ...

and more »


Xtri.com

Nutrition Matters, a re-post
Xtri.com
Steve paid close attention to his performance, including nutrition, which goes to show that there really are no guarantees in life. Life is a risk and there are no more opportunities for risk after it. Nutrition has always been a hot topic for ...
2 Shocking Things You Should Know About the Glycemic IndexMSN Health & Fitness

all 2 news articles »


Adams-Edmore High School achieves national nutrition award
Devil's Lake Daily Journal
It supports First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move‟ campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) ...
Healthy ways make the grade for Broadwater County schoolsKXLH Helena News
Healthier AwardsBeartooth NBC

all 2 news articles »


School using grants to teach proper nutrition, exercise
The Doings Weekly
Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media Good nutrition and exercise are key to good learning, and Anne M. Jeans Elementary School is taking new steps to provide its students with both. The school recently received a grant from Fuel Up to Play 60, ...

and more »


There's an app for nutrition, fitness and more
York Daily Record
By RAYNA COOPER I replied to my co-worker's suggestion to write about mobile apps for tracking nutrition and fitness on smart phones and other devices with skepticism -- would readers be interested? As the months passed, I got my own device.

and more »

Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.