Millions of Americans are suffering from cramps, gas and diarrhea after ingesting dairy sugar, or lactose. Often times, an enjoyable experience eating a scoop of ice cream  is followed by the onset of uncomfortable and painful digestive issues. Lactose intolerance affects people who lack the ability to break down and digest the dairy sugar, lactose.

What is Lactase?

Lactase is the enzyme in the small intestines that digests the dairy sugar, lactose. Normally, lactase breaks down lactose into glucose that can be easily absorbed by the blood. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, water is retained in the bowel, which results in bloating and diarrhea. Lactose that passes into the large intestine is fermented by bacteria, which produces carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane, which may lead to bloating, cramping and gas.

What Causes Lactose Intolerance?

Digestive diseases or injuries to the small intestine that reduce the amount of enzymes produced can cause lactose intolerance. In rare cases, children are born without the ability to produce lactase, but lactose intolerance is more commonly developed as aging occurs.

What Options Are There?

One common choice to battle lactose intolerance is food elimination diets, which not only consume time, but also prevent enjoying certain foods. Prescription and over the counter drugs may improve distress for a time, but often have their own side effects. Another choice is to supply the body with the enzymes needed to digest dairy products.

Supplementing With Enzymes

Lacto by Enzymedica is a dietary supplement that is safe for all ages and designed to be taken with meals containing lactose. Lacto contains lactase to assist in the digestion and absorption of dairy sugars, reducing the negative side effects of lactose consumption. In addition to providing the enzymes needed for digestion of dairy sugar, Lacto also assists in digestion of dairy protein, fats, carbohydrates, meat protein and fiber. More about lactose intolerance can be found in the Enzymedica newsletter.

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