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"Lactose Intolerance ." KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. 11 May 2009 .

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"Lactose Intolerance." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 11 May 2009 .

"Lactose intolerance - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic medical information and tools for healthy living - MayoClinic.com. 11 May 2009 .

"Osteoporosis Center - Information About Age Appropriate Treatment and Exercise." Medical Articles - Health Topics, Reviews and Counseling Articles. 11 May 2009 .

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
The common symptoms of someone with lactose intolerance usually appear 30 minutes after consuming some sort of food or beverage that contains lactose. The symptoms include:
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Gas
• Cramps (usually abdominal)
There have been cases known where the patient does not have these symptoms, yet still lacks or has a deficient amount of the enzyme lactase in their small intestine. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on who the consumer is and the amount of lactose in the food or beverage.

Background of Lactose Intolerance

Lactose Intolerance
The history and origin of lactose intolerance current isn’t quite clear to scientists. However, studies have shown that some kind of genetic mutation did occur that caused the formation of lactose intolerance. It is most notably found in Asian people, with 90-98% of citizens living in Asia having some form of lactose intolerance, depending on which country you live in. 90-100% of Asian Americans, however are found to be lactose intolerant.
Lactose intolerance occurs in the human body when the cells that line the small intestine fail to make a required amount of enzymes known as lactase. The purpose of lactase in your body is to break down milk into simpler forms of sugar known as glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream (much like how the pancreas works).
It is hard to tell if you actually have lactose intolerance though, because most people without common knowledge of lactose intolerance link the symptoms with cow’s milk. Lactose intolerance and cow’s milk intolerance are two totally separate things. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose due to a lack of lactase in the small intestine. This is primarily in the digestive system, where cow’s milk intolerance is an allergic reaction to the milk itself found in one’s immune system.
Also, to test if you do have lactose intolerance, you can take a lactose test or a hydrogen breath test. In the lactose test, it requires you to fast (no eating) before drinking some liquid that contains lactose. Then, over a 2 hour period of blood tests doctors check for an increase in the amount of glucose in your body. If you are negative for lactose intolerance the small intestine will break down the lactose into glucose or galactose and pass it on to the liver, which will make glucose to enter your bloodstream, raising the level in your blood. If you are positive, there will be no signs of a raise of glucose in your blood. The hydrogen test requires you to drink a glass of some liquid with lactose. Undigested lactose contains various gases, including hydrogen. Your breath normally contains very little hydrogen, so if there is an increase in the level of hydrogen when you exhale, you are positive for lactose intolerance.
There are currently 3 forms of lactose intolerance. The first is primary lactose intolerance, which is a condition that develops over time, usually due to weaning in a non-dairy society. This is found in many Asian and African cultures. The second form is secondary lactose intolerance, and is usually caused when there is damage done to the small intestine caused by certain gastrointestinal diseases. The third and final form is called congenital lactase deficiency, which is a genetic disorder found at birth and usually is diagnosed in early infancy. This disorder prevents the cells from making a sufficient amount of lactase.

3 day low lactose diet plan

 

Who Can Become Lactose Intolerant?

Lactose intolerance builds up over time in humans. Meaning that the older you are the more likely you are to become lactose intolerant. Lactase, which breaks down lactose, starts being produced from age two. If you injure your lower intestine or have a disease such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease, a lactase deficiency will occur, giving you lactose intolerance. They also now know that lactose intolerance is passed down genetically. People who are of Asian, Native American, Hispanic, or African decent are more likely to be lactose intolerant. Some medications cause lactose intolerance because they stop the production of lactase. Another cause is infections on the digestive track, which cause temporary lactose intolerance. 

How to deal with Lactose Intolerance

The major problem for people who are lactose intolerant is that they are not getting a sufficient amount of calcium in their diet(approx. 1300 mg of calcium per day), which is essential for construction, formation, and maintenance of bones, and it is especially necessary for us teens who are in the growth phase of life to get enough of this nutrient, since it is the time that calcium is best absorbed.

People who are lactose intolerant and cannot rely on dairy products for calcium can still get this nutrient through these foods:

-cheese/yogurt/dairy products with less milk in them (depending on how lactose intolerant the person is, some people may still be able to digest dairy products other than milk without having significant problems afterward)
-soymilk
-lactose-free milk
-taking a lactase supplement before consuming dairy products
-juices fortified with calcium
-vegetables such as broccoli, tofu, beans

Although calcium is an essential nutrient for the body, we must not forget as teens that there are other nutrients besides calcium that are necessary for growth and staying healthy.

The Macronutrients:

The 3 macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Carbs are the main energy source of our body and can also turn into fat, which is used to store energy for later use. Carbs are best obtained through wheat/grain foods such as rice and bread as well as fruits and vegetables.

Proteins build muscles, hormones, and enzymes, and also regulates the chemical reactions in the body. Proteins are best obtained through animal meat such as beef and chicken, milk, and vegetables.

Fats help the brain develop correctly, store energy for later use, and is necessary for the production of healthy skin and hair. Fats are best obatined through milk/dairy products, vegetable oil, and animal products such as fish.

Food req. for teens with lactose intolerance

Caloric Requirement for Teens:

-Ages 15-18 need about 2200 calories per day
-50% of daily calories should come from Carbohydrates
-Approx. 60 g of protein (adults)
-Approx. 0.5 g of protein for every pound daily (kids)
-30% of daily calories should come from Fats

Foods with lactose: (these are the foods that lactose intolerant people should avoid)

-Milk (2% Viva contains 30% of Daily Requirement for Calcium)
-Cheese
-Ice Cream
-Dairy Products in General