Latest news with #lactoseintolerance
CNA
03-08-2025
- Health
- CNA
I'm lactose-intolerant – do I really need to avoid all dairy or are some products safe to eat?
Many people have lactose intolerance. In the United States, for instance, there are some 30 to 50 million people. This means their bodies can't adequately break down lactose, the sugar present in milk. The result can be uncomfortable gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, symptoms that typically occur within about 30 to 60 minutes of eating a lactose-rich food, said Beth Ferrell Jenks, a dietitian and assistant professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The good news: While individual tolerances to dairy foods can vary, certain lower-lactose dairy products, like hard cheeses and yogurts, can help keep lactose intolerance symptoms at bay. HOW TO EAT WITH LACTOSE INTOLERANCE Trouble with lactose intolerance tends to begin in adulthood, when our bodies gradually makes less lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose. Some people might not notice this change in their digestion, said Dr Suneeta Krishnareddy, a gastroenterologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. But others may have symptoms so severe that they experience nausea and vomiting after eating certain foods, said Dr Nitin K. Ahuja, a gastroenterologist at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. Understanding your triggers involves some trial and error. You might start by eliminating all dairy from your diet, and then gradually reintroduce small amounts of certain foods and drinks containing lactose to see how you feel afterward. Here are the dairy products most, and least, likely to exacerbate your symptoms. THE WORST OFFENDERS 1. Dairy milk: Skim, 1 per cent, 2 per cent and whole milk all contain between 12 and 12.5 grams of lactose per cup. That's around the maximum amount of lactose people with an intolerance can consume per day without having symptoms, said Ella Haddad, a dietitian and professor emeritus of nutrition at Loma Linda University in California. So try to limit yourself to one glass of milk per day, or less if you're consuming other types of dairy. 2. Unaged (or fresh) cheese: Cheese generally contains less lactose than milk, but some varieties have more than others. Cheeses that haven't been aged – meaning they haven't been left to ripen for weeks, months or years – typically contain more lactose than aged cheeses, Jenks said. This is because during the ageing process, bacteria break lactose down, converting it into lactic acid. Unaged cheeses tend to be soft and moist and often come in a tub. A half-cup serving of cottage cheese with 2 per cent milk fat contains about four grams of lactose. Two tablespoons of fat-free cream cheese has nearly two grams. While unaged cheeses are probably more tolerable than dairy milk, Jenks recommended limiting them when you have the choice. 3. Ice cream: Many ice creams, which are mainly made from milk and cream, are rich in lactose and therefore should be limited. But some versions contain more lactose than others. If an ice cream contains more milk than cream (you can tell by checking if milk is listed before cream on the ingredients list), it is probably rich in lactose and therefore harder to digest, Dr Haddad said. This is because milk contains more lactose than cream. OKAY IN MODERATION 1. Hard cheese: Varieties like Parmesan, cheddar and Swiss have been aged and therefore contain very little lactose and are often easier to digest than softer, unaged varieties, Dr Krishnareddy said. Harder cheeses tend to taste sharper and include an outer rind. A one-and-a-half-ounce serving of Parmesan or cheddar, for instance, contains less than one-tenth of a gram of lactose. 2. Other fermented dairy products: Fermented dairy foods like yoghurt, kefir and sour cream contain bacteria that help break down lactose, Dr Krishnareddy said. This lessens the load on your small intestine, making those foods easier to digest. 3. Butter: This kitchen staple is made from milk, cream or both by separating the fat from the rest of the liquid, leaving most of the lactose behind, Dr Haddad said. One pat of butter and one tablespoon of cream each contain about half a gram of lactose or less. WHAT ELSE CAN HELP Many supermarkets carry lactose-free dairy products like milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. They are regular dairy products made from milk but with the lactase enzyme mixed in. This makes them more tolerable if you're lactose-intolerant, Jenks said. Dairy-free products like milk made from almonds, soya or oats; cheese made from nuts; and ice cream made from soya or coconuts are also lactose-free. Over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplements, which can be swallowed or chewed, can help reduce your indigestion symptoms when taken with a meal. They contain the lactase enzyme so your body doesn't have to make it itself, Dr Krishnareddy said. While many people can tell if they're lactose-intolerant on their own, Dr Ahuja said that it's usually a good idea to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Other conditions, like food allergies or inflammatory bowel disease, can cause similar symptoms.
CNA
03-08-2025
- Health
- CNA
I'm lactose-intolerant – do I really need to avoid all dairy or are some products safe to eat?
Many people have lactose intolerance. In the United States, for instance, there are some 30 to 50 million people. This means their bodies can't adequately break down lactose, the sugar present in milk. The result can be uncomfortable gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, symptoms that typically occur within about 30 to 60 minutes of eating a lactose-rich food, said Beth Ferrell Jenks, a dietitian and assistant professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The good news: While individual tolerances to dairy foods can vary, certain lower-lactose dairy products, like hard cheeses and yogurts, can help keep lactose intolerance symptoms at bay. HOW TO EAT WITH LACTOSE INTOLERANCE Trouble with lactose intolerance tends to begin in adulthood, when our bodies gradually makes less lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose. Some people might not notice this change in their digestion, said Dr Suneeta Krishnareddy, a gastroenterologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. But others may have symptoms so severe that they experience nausea and vomiting after eating certain foods, said Dr Nitin K. Ahuja, a gastroenterologist at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. Understanding your triggers involves some trial and error. You might start by eliminating all dairy from your diet, and then gradually reintroduce small amounts of certain foods and drinks containing lactose to see how you feel afterward. Here are the dairy products most, and least, likely to exacerbate your symptoms. THE WORST OFFENDERS 1. Dairy milk: Skim, 1 per cent, 2 per cent and whole milk all contain between 12 and 12.5 grams of lactose per cup. That's around the maximum amount of lactose people with an intolerance can consume per day without having symptoms, said Ella Haddad, a dietitian and professor emeritus of nutrition at Loma Linda University in California. So try to limit yourself to one glass of milk per day, or less if you're consuming other types of dairy. 2. Unaged (or fresh) cheese: Cheese generally contains less lactose than milk, but some varieties have more than others. Cheeses that haven't been aged – meaning they haven't been left to ripen for weeks, months or years – typically contain more lactose than aged cheeses, Jenks said. This is because during the ageing process, bacteria break lactose down, converting it into lactic acid. Unaged cheeses tend to be soft and moist and often come in a tub. A half-cup serving of cottage cheese with 2 per cent milk fat contains about four grams of lactose. Two tablespoons of fat-free cream cheese has nearly two grams. While unaged cheeses are probably more tolerable than dairy milk, Jenks recommended limiting them when you have the choice. 3. Ice cream: Many ice creams, which are mainly made from milk and cream, are rich in lactose and therefore should be limited. But some versions contain more lactose than others. If an ice cream contains more milk than cream (you can tell by checking if milk is listed before cream on the ingredients list), it is probably rich in lactose and therefore harder to digest, Dr Haddad said. This is because milk contains more lactose than cream. OKAY IN MODERATION 1. Hard cheese: Varieties like Parmesan, cheddar and Swiss have been aged and therefore contain very little lactose and are often easier to digest than softer, unaged varieties, Dr Krishnareddy said. Harder cheeses tend to taste sharper and include an outer rind. A one-and-a-half-ounce serving of Parmesan or cheddar, for instance, contains less than one-tenth of a gram of lactose. 2. Other fermented dairy products: Fermented dairy foods like yoghurt, kefir and sour cream contain bacteria that help break down lactose, Dr Krishnareddy said. This lessens the load on your small intestine, making those foods easier to digest. 3. Butter: This kitchen staple is made from milk, cream or both by separating the fat from the rest of the liquid, leaving most of the lactose behind, Dr Haddad said. One pat of butter and one tablespoon of cream each contain about half a gram of lactose or less. WHAT ELSE CAN HELP Many supermarkets carry lactose-free dairy products like milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. They are regular dairy products made from milk but with the lactase enzyme mixed in. This makes them more tolerable if you're lactose-intolerant, Jenks said. Dairy-free products like milk made from almonds, soya or oats; cheese made from nuts; and ice cream made from soya or coconuts are also lactose-free. Over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplements, which can be swallowed or chewed, can help reduce your indigestion symptoms when taken with a meal. They contain the lactase enzyme so your body doesn't have to make it itself, Dr Krishnareddy said. While many people can tell if they're lactose-intolerant on their own, Dr Ahuja said that it's usually a good idea to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Other conditions, like food allergies or inflammatory bowel disease, can cause similar symptoms. By Caroline Hopkins Legaspi © The New York Times Company The article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
The Quiz #461 - Got Milk?
If you're lactose intolerant, you have difficulty digesting what? Play. Share. Listen with Australian Country Singer Shea Fisher.
Medical News Today
02-07-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
What foods become harder to digest with age?
Digesting spicy, dairy, and processed foods may be more difficult with age. Eating fiber-rich whole foods, exercising, sleeping better, and lowering stress can people age, their digestive systems can slow down. Consuming food, digesting it, and eliminating waste may take longer than it did earlier in a person ages, their digestive system muscles slow down and become less effective in containing stomach acid and article discusses which foods can cause digestive issues as people age, which foods are easier on the stomach, and how aging affects is the hardest food for the body to digest with age?After age 65, some people may find it harder to digest certain foods, such as: High fat foods: These may delay stomach emptying, causing indigestionSpicy or acidic foods: These may trigger heartburnDairy foods: These may trigger stomach sensitivity due to an increased lactose intolerance that can occur with ageUltra-processed foods: These are associated with stomach problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and even colorectal cancerThe following list highlights 10 of the foods from these categories that some people may find hard to digest as they grow older:burgerschipsgarliconionice creamcheesetomatoesorangeswhite breadsodasWhy might older people get digestive issues?As people age, their digestive systems change just like other parts of their bodies. For example, the stomach's lining and its resistance to damage can weaken over time. Additionally, the stomach can become less elastic, reducing its capacity to hold large intestine and rectum undergo fewer changes. However, constipation tends to be more common in older adults, especially in those ages 65 and over. Constipation can result from several factors, such as a reduction in the rate at which food moves into the small intestine or a decrease in the rectum's contractions when filled with conditions that can become more common with age include gas and bloating, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some external factors that can contribute to this include lower levels of physical activity, increased use of medications that can cause constipation, and pelvic floor weakness in older females assigned at birth (FAABs).How do you improve digestion as you age?Maintaining healthy eating habits is crucial for digestive health, especially as people age. According to the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, it's important to choose foods that contain essential nutrients, such as fiber, vitamin D, calcium, protein, and vitamin B12. However, it is also important to focus on unprocessed foods containing these also a good idea to choose foods without added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. A high fiber diet, in particular, can help prevent constipation. In addition, foods that contain probiotics, such as certain yogurts, may help manage conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, according to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, a person needs to consume these products consistently for at least 4 weeks and in consultation with their recommendations include maintaining a lifestyle that is as active as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend aiming for at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week plus regular exercises focused on bone and muscle strength, such as resistance training or weight can also affect a person's digestion. Getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night can help keep the bowels working correctly, and working to reduce stress, which can also exacerbate digestive issues, might and nutrition with MedicarePeople enrolled in some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may have access to SilverSneakers, a fitness program for older adults that provides access to gyms, community exercise classes, and workout addition, Medicare Part B covers nutritionist services for people with diabetes and kidney disease, who have had a recent kidney transplant, or are undergoing dialysis.A Medicare-affiliated doctor must refer patients for these services, and telehealth may be available in rural areas. Part C plans should offer the same benefits, plus additional nutrition benefits in some cases. »Learn more:Food and nutritional needs for older adults: A guide.»Learn more:8 ways to improve are the 5 foods that older people should eat?Examples of foods that older people may find easier to digest include:brown ricewhole wheat breadoatsnon-citrus or non-acidic fruits and vegetables. live yogurt Older people should also try to drink non-carbonated, decaffeinated drinks, such as herbal tea, milk, or water.»Learn more:11 foods that are easy to people age, their digestive systems become less efficient. However, limiting or avoiding certain foods, such as spicy, acidic, and dairy products, can also help alleviate digestive adequate fiber can support digestion and reduce the risk of constipation. Choosing whole foods rich in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, getting sufficient sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and managing stress levels can also help improve digestion.
Telegraph
01-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The food that gives you worse nightmares than cheese
Sweet dreams may be driven away by sweet treats before bedtime. While cheese usually gets the blame for disrupted sleep and nightmares, a new study suggests that desserts and sugary snacks are worse. Canadian researchers surveyed 1,082 students, asking about sleep time and quality, dreams and nightmares, and the association between types of dreams and different foods. Desserts and sweets topped the list for vivid, disturbing, bizarre or lucid dreams, with dairy coming second and fruit third. Surprisingly, spicy foods and pickles were less of a problem than cereals or meat. 'We are routinely asked whether food affects dreaming,' said Tore Nielsen, professor of psychiatry at the University of Montreal. 'Now we have some answers.' The study also found a link between nightmares and lactose intolerance, which researchers suspect may be the reason that cheese has gained such a bad reputation. Dairy prevents body from switching off When the authors compared reports of food intolerances to reports of bad dreams and poor sleep, they found that lactose intolerance was associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, nightmares and low sleep quality. They believe that eating dairy can activate gastrointestinal disturbances that stop the body being able to switch off during sleep, with the resulting discomfort affecting people's dreams and the quality of their rest. Women were more likely to report both food intolerances and allergies. 'Nightmare severity is robustly associated with lactose intolerance and other food allergies,' said Prof Nielsen. 'These new findings imply that changing eating habits for people with some food sensitivities could alleviate nightmares. 'They could also explain why people so often blame dairy for bad dreams.' However, researchers say the link between food and sleep is not clear cut because it is possible that people do not eat well because they don't sleep well, or that another unknown factor influences both sleep and diet. The team is hoping to run a study asking people to ingest cheese products versus a control food before sleep to see if this alters their sleep or dreams.'
