lactoseintollerence2 homefamily health Virgin Media

Happily, lactose intolerance can be easily managed when the right information is at hand. Firstly, if you believe that you are lactose intolerant, go and visit your GP who may recommend some tests and can also refer you to a dietician if necessary. It is also worth noting that millions of people mistake the symptoms for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as they are very similar.

If you are experiencing regular abdominal discomfort, pay close attention to how you are affected whenever you drink milk: try seeing whether there is any connection and consult your doctor.

The most effective way to manage lactose intolerance is to watch what you eat more carefully, cutting out milk and any other products that contain lactose. It is not just cow's milk that can prove to be a problem - goat's milk and buffalo milk also contain lactose. However, you may not want to lose all the beneficial calcium that can be found in milk and in that case the easiest option can be to substitute ordinary milk with a low lactose dairy product such as Lactofree.

When shopping, make sure you read all the food labels carefully and not just for dairy products - bread, chocolate and even tablets can contain lactose. You might be surprised by the types of processed foods which contain lactose, including some commercially produced sausages, particularly frankfurters. On the other hand, some hard cheeses, such as certain types of Cheddar, contain only 5% of the lactose found in whole milk, whilst other long-matured cheeses may contain hardly any lactose at all. It may be possible for some lactose intolerant people to eat certain cheeses and yoghurts without any symptoms occurring whatsoever. However, if you are in doubt as to the lactose content of any food it is best avoided.

The good news is that living with lactose intolerance is definitely becoming easier. Since 25th November 2005, all products containing lactose that are sold in the UK and the EU have had to be clearly labelled under the new law. We are also becoming much better informed, thanks to organisations that specialise in researching this area. You can visit www.lactoseintolerance.org.uk for further information on the subject and take a look at www.lactofree.co.uk for information on their lactose-free alternative to milk.