Lactose Intolerance More Tolerant Than Most Think

Saturday 27th February 2010

Many people who believe themselves to be lactose intolerant will avoid all forms of dairy at all costs; but latest research shows that a complete absence of dairy from the diet may not be necessary but also dangerous for the allergy sufferers overall health. The National Institutes of Health have issued an overall opinion that in most cases the avoidance of dairy products is unnecessary.


In a recent conference held by the National Institutes of Health recent research, studies and scientific discoveries in relation to lactose intolerance were investigated alongside potential strategies that can be used to benefit the allergy. When someone suffers from lactose intolerance they often lack enough enzymes that are responsible for the digestion of lactose. However, rather than totally avoiding lactose products, experts warn that they should still be including some into their diets. They suggested that the gradual introduction of such products into the diet on a regular basis, can improve the body’s tolerance of lactose. Equally, drinking milk in fat-free or low-fat form with a meal enables the body to gain its much needed nutrients without the consumption of lactose products occurring on an empty stomach. The experts discussed how the common misconception is to remove all dairy from the diet, and this also encouraged in some weight-loss diets too; but by doing this the body isn’t receiving much needed nutrients. By removing dairy from the diet, you are also removing much needed calcium and vitamin D, alongside other beneficial nutrients responsible for bone growth and maintenance. Lack of this in the diet can cause later health problems by impacting bone health.

Research for many allergies is starting to point towards the gradual introduction of the allergy cause into a person’s diet; which could be the answer with lactose intolerance. Scientists have also begun developing a lactose intolerance test for children in the form of a blood test which would detect an antibody called Immunoglobulin. The test is hoped to be able to inform doctors as to what extent the child is allergic to lactose.

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