Lactose intolerance treatment

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How it works

Consult with our health coaches who will learn about your symptoms, habits, and goals.

Take personalized home health tests to discover potential root causes of any symptoms or conditions you may have.

Review your results in just days with our functional medicine doctors, nurses, and dietitians who will help you achieve optimal health.

Learn about Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body finds it difficult to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. It's not life-threatening, but the discomfort and symptoms it causes can disrupt everyday life. This condition affects a significant portion of the global population, with prevalence rates varying significantly among different ethnicities and regions. Understanding lactose intolerance is essential for managing its symptoms and improving quality of life through natural and lifestyle-centric treatments.

Causes

The primary cause of lactose intolerance is the deficiency of lactase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose into simpler sugars that the body can absorb. This deficiency can be hereditary or develop later in life due to factors such as age, gastrointestinal infections, or certain surgeries that affect the small intestine. Ethnicity also plays a significant role, with higher prevalence among people of East Asian, West African, Arab, Jewish, and Italian descent.

Signs and symptoms

- Bloating - Diarrhea - Gas - Nausea - Stomach cramps - Occasional vomiting These symptoms typically appear between 30 minutes and 2 hours after consuming dairy products. The severity of symptoms can vary significantly from one individual to another.

Diagnosing Lactose intolerance

Diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history and a discussion of symptoms with a healthcare provider. Several tests can confirm lactose intolerance: - Lactose tolerance test measures blood sugar levels before and after consuming a lactose-rich drink. - Hydrogen breath test measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath after drinking a lactose-loaded beverage. - Stool acidity test, mainly used for children and infants, evaluates the acidity in the stool, which can indicate lactose malabsorption.

Prevention and natural treatment

Preventing lactose intolerance isn't possible for those who are genetically predisposed. However, managing symptoms and maintaining a comfortable lifestyle is achievable through functional medicine and natural treatments. - Dietary adjustments: Reducing or eliminating dairy products from one’s diet can significantly decrease symptoms. Opting for lactose-free alternatives or dairy substitutes like almond, soy, or rice milk can help. - Lactase supplements: These over-the-counter supplements help digest lactose and can be taken before consuming dairy. - Probiotics: Integrating probiotic-rich foods (e.g., yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) or supplements into the diet may improve digestive health and reduce symptoms. - Enzymatic therapies: Utilizing enzymes that assist in breaking down lactose can enhance lactose digestion and absorption. - Gradual reintroduction: Slowly reintroducing small amounts of lactose may help some individuals adapt over time, potentially reducing symptoms. Relying on a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D from non-dairy sources ensures essential nutrient intake for overall health, particularly bone health. Regular consultations with a healthcare provider, preferably one specialized in functional medicine, will provide tailored advice and adjustments to treatment plans based on individual responses and improvement over time.

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