| Lactose intolerance is the inability to properly digest
milk sugar. This is caused by a lack or deficiency of lactase, an enzyme
manufactured in a person's small intestine that breaks down lactose into glucose
and galactose. When a person with lactose intolerance consumes milk or
other dairy products, some or all of the lactose they contain remains
undigested, retains fluid, and ferments in their colon, resulting in diarrhea,
gas, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms normally start in 30 minutes to 2 hours after
eating dairy foods. The degree of
lactose intolerance differs in people. For most of the world's
adults, lactose intolerance is actually a normal condition. Note that Caucasians of northern European
background do normally retain the ability to
digest lactose after childhood. Lactose deficiency can also occur as a
result of a gastrointestinal disorder that damages the digestive
tract, such as celiac disease, irritable
bowel syndrome, regional enteritis, or ulcerative
colitis. It may also develop on its own. There is no currently
known way to prevent it. Lactose intolerance can occur in children as
well as adults. If you are a woman and pregnant and you have a
family history of lactose intolerance then you should consider
breastfeeding or nursing the baby. Human mother's milk is the
best and the most healthy for a baby. In infants, lactose intolerance can occur
after a severe bout of gastroenteritis, which damages the intestinal
lining. Symptoms of lactose intolerance in an infant can include foamy
diarrhea with diaper rash, slow weight gain and development, and
vomiting.
Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk
allergy problem. With an allergy the person can digest the
milk normally but their immune system has an allergic response
to one or more of the components in the milk or dairy
product.
Lactose intolerance can cause discomfort and digestive
problems, but it is not a serious threat to health and it can easily
be managed by changes to diet. Nutritional supplementation can help
people both deal with lactose intolerance and get nutrients
that they may miss from not eating dairy and milk products.
|
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Multi-vitamin
&
Mineral supplement |
10 |
a natural good
multi-vitamin and mineral supplement will contain these and other items listed: Zinc, B vitamins, calcium,
magnesium, and potassium. A daily supplement provides nutrients required
for good general health and well being. |
| Zinc |
9 |
This mineral
helps maintain the immune system and proper mineral balance.
It has a calming
effect on the nervous system. A good multi-vitamin and
mineral supplement
with other support ingredients can help. |
| Copper |
9 |
mineral
that works with zinc |
| Acidophilius |
9 |
replaces
good bacteria and promotes good digestion |
| Calcium |
10 |
is a natural tranquilizer is best used
with magnesium |
| Boron |
9 |
helps
with calcium absorption |
| Magnesium |
10 |
this
mineral is needed for proper calcium processing and it has a calming effect and works
on the nervous system |
| Manganese |
9 |
aids with calcium
processing in the body |
| vitamin
D |
9 |
required for calcium
uptake |
| vitamin
E |
9 |
protects cell
membranes that line the colon wall |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|
