Lactose Intolerance

[miki44]

Hy,

I have lactose intolerance and I was looking for an answer to this. I knew that I should take enzymes or cut milk products, but then crousing in the net I came across the Open Original Shared Link claming there is a cure caled Lactagen that cures that. Its quite expensive, but if it is working I think its worth. I wonder has anyone tried that product, or has a friend who has, and how did it do, because I am a little sceptic!

Thanks, Mik

[JennyC]

I too am sceptic. Much of the background that they provided is correct. Lactose intolerance is a gene expression issue. As we age, evolutionary history "tells" our bodies that we don't need the enzyme lactase because we should not be drinking milk any longer. So many of us produce less lactase and develop lactose intolerance. Many people simply replace the enzyme that we lack with Lactaid. It is possible, in some people, to induce some level of lactase production after they have developed intolerance. The key to this is taking in small amounts of dairy routinely without Lactaid. Lactase is an enzyme that is only expressed when it is needed, which is why people often become lactose intolerant after they quit eating dairy for a period of time. If you consume small amounts of dairy the lactose signals to your body that you need to ramp up lactase production. Your body may refuse to increase lactase, but most likely you will increase production a little but not enough to gorge on dairy without any side effects. I don't see how that medication would increase lactase production with the minerals it claims to contain. The only way I know how to stimulate lactase production is with lactose. That is how lactase is stimulated in all situations, even infants.

[CMCM]

I've always found it interesting that apparently there are no animals which continue to drink milk past a certain infancy stage. Then they never have it again. Humans are the only ones to drink milk all their lives, although we are of course mostly drinking cow's milk....as someone pointed out, cow's milk which is intended to make a baby calf turn into a 500+ lb. cow! In any case, it's not surprising that we would lose our ability to handle lactose. And of course, there's always the casein problem as well! As with wheat, in our society it's as difficult if not more so to avoid dairy ingredients. Sigh....