Lactaid, Will It Do Anything For Anything Else?

[GreySaber]

Now, Maybe this is a silly question but....

I am brought to understand by the people on this board that many people going gluten free are lactose intolerant in the short term, do to the fact that the tops of intestinal villi are the parts that product the enzyme that breaks down lactose.

That enzyme is called lactase.

Now, I may have that problem, but there is a thing called lactaid, which will allow me to digest lactose. Great.

But here's my question, under the assumption that I take it, get better, etc....

If I have a third allergy, is there any chance the lactaid would mask that? For example have an anti-D effect on me, thus preventing me from telling that I have a third allergy?

I think I have a reaction to something other then gluten, and it might very well be lactose, but it there is anything else I want ot find it.

[CMCM]

I thought I was lactose intolerant for years and years. In fact, I never suspected celiac, but instead, thought my problem was entirely due to dairy. I took lactaid....perhaps it helped a bit, but not entirely. Fast forward to this past January, and I got tested for celiac/gluten and casein, the milk protein. Not only did I test positive to celiac/gluten, but also to casein. Possibly.....I have the lactose problem as well, who knows? But lactose and casein are two different things, and you could have both. Lactose intolerance is more of an inconvenience, perhaps fixed by lactaid pills, but casein intolerance is a bigger problem. It can cause symptoms similar to gluten, and it can also cause intestinal damage according to Dr. Fine, who says that if you test positive for casein, you should no longer eat it.

This is a round-about way of saying that what you have may not have lactose intolerance at all....you might have a problem with casein. Casein and gluten intolerance often occur together.

[GreySaber]

I am brought to understand that in my childhood I tolerated milk well, but I do not remember. I never really liked it, and didn't drink nearly as much as I perhaps should have, but I have always had reactions to wheat. (celiac? allergic?) but certainly reactions. I'm thinking of using lactaid as a possible short step to recovery, so I have to give up less things. Casein, (I just looked it up) is also in milk.... I assume that means all dairy products?

Since my main issue is intestial discomfort and bad poo (Oh, and an occasional cramp in my back), I seem to be a good bit better off then many of the people here.

Carole, can you tell me a bit more about casein issues, or link me to a good place?

But in short, I take it that Lactaid only solves lactose problems, and pretty much nothing else? (So if I have a lactose problem, it might help me lock it down by ONLY removing that problem?)

[ravenwoodglass]

But in short, I take it that Lactaid only solves lactose problems, and pretty much nothing else? (So if I have a lactose problem, it might help me lock it down by ONLY removing that problem?)

Yes lactaid will only take care of the lactose intolerance, it will not help with the casein. It also will not mask anything else so if it is casein that you are reacting to it will not relieve those symptoms. You should make very, very sure though that it is gluten free, many 'tummy helpers' are not, Tums is an example of that.

[GreySaber]

Yes lactaid will only take care of the lactose intolerance, it will not help with the casein. It also will not mask anything else so if it is casein that you are reacting to it will not relieve those symptoms. You should make very, very sure though that it is gluten free, many 'tummy helpers' are not, Tums is an example of that.

ARGH! that must be what set me off the other day!!!!

Gracious, you think you checked all your labels....