Treatment for Lactose Intolerance

Those who are lactose intolerant do not digest dairy products in the way most people do. They must find other ways to incorporate dairy into their diet in a way that won’t hurt their body. Once a person is lactose intolerant they may never be able to overcome it. Instead, they must find ways to adapt to the change. According to the National Health Service, lactose intolerance can be temporary if a condition such as gastroenteritis causes it. However, it is not just limited to adults, as children may have this problem as well.

Recognizing One’s Threshold For Dairy Products

One of the ways that this type of intolerance is treated is simply by recognizing one’s threshold. Some people are more intolerant to lactose than others are, and this can make a difference in how it is treated. By avoiding dairy products for three weeks to one month, one can purge their body of any dairy they have already digested. They can then slowly start eating or drinking dairy products to see how much they can handle comfortably. Once this step is completed people can recognize their own limits and adhere to them for an indefinite period.

Consume Yogurt Substitute Kefir As An Alternative

When a person eats kefir, which is similar to yogurt, they can essentially speed up the digestion of lactose-based foods and drinks in their body. Its ingredients include live cultures that work to break the lactose down in their body and make it easier and more comfortable to digest. Kefir can be consumed in liquid form, making it a viable alternative to milk. The better a person’s body handles it, the more Kefir they can drink.

Making Cheese and Yogurt Diet Staples

Foods such as yogurt and cheeses contain less enzyme lactase than other dairy products. Full-fat foods are better for people with lactose intolerance than low fat, or nonfat foods do. The best food choices for anyone who is lactose intolerant are cottage cheese. Cheddar and swiss cheese. Since these are hard cheeses, they are easier to digest than softer cheeses. Greek yogurt is also a popular alternative to regular yogurt because Greek yogurt does not have as much enzyme lactate.

Various Substitutes For Milk

There are certain kinds of milk are the best choices for anyone who is lactose intolerant. These include rice, oat, soy, almond and coconut milkThese types of milk are much easier on the digestive system. Any plant-based milk is a good choice for those who can’t drink regular milk. Using only plant-based milk allows people to enjoy a daily glass without the painful side effects. It is best to avoid any type of dairy food or drink that has guar gum. This is an additive that is known to cause problems with digestion.

Supplements Are An Effective Tool

Lactase supplements serve to replace enzymes that aren’t produced when lactose intolerance is a factor. They can cut down on gastrointestinal issues and can easily be taken before a meal. When a person is going to eat or drink something that has lactose in it, as few as one to three tablets per day can be effective. People are urged to also add lactose pills into milk before drinking it.

Ginger Is An Excellent Treatment Option

Eating ginger works to reduce nausea and gas a lactose intolerant person will often feel. Grated ginger can be added to a cup of boiling water in order to be made into a tea that can effectively treat the symptoms. People can drink as many as three cups of Ginger tea and find that it relieves their symptoms quickly and easily.

A Tasty Treatment Option is Apple Cider Vinegar

Cooking with Apple Cider Vinegar helps aid digestion. It has also been found to naturalize a person’s stomach acid, making digesting food and drink much more comfortable than it would be otherwise. Simply adding the vinegar into a glass of water and drinking it can lead to positive results within weeks.

Chamomile Tea As A Treatment Method

Much like apple cider vinegar, chamomile tea also works to neutralize any acid in the stomach. Also, it also cuts down on how bloated a person gets when they consume anything lactate based. Dried chamomile flowers can be used to make a hot tea that can and should be consumed multiple times each day.

Essential Nutrients Are A Must

Dealing with lactose intolerance means finding other ways to get calcium in one’s body. The best way to do so is to consume foods such as spinach and broccoli, as well as beans, lentils, dried fruits, seeds, and nuts. It is also important to drink juices that have extra calcium in them.

Reading Product Labels

Before buying any product at the grocery store, those with lactose intolerance must read nutrition labels. If a label lists non-fat dairy powder or dried milk, a lactose intolerant person should not purchase them. Most grocery stores carry products that are either free of lactose or have a reduced amount of it. These are the products that should be bought.