Why Reducing Lactose Intake May Alleviate Ibs Symptoms By Susan Reynolds At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Many people who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS syndrome) have problems digesting milk sugar, better known as lactose. Lactose intolerance occurs when there is insufficient lactase in the small intestine.

Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose so it can be properly absorbed into the bloodstream. When not enough lactase exists, the undigested lactose can ferment in the large intestine, which can lead to the unpleasant symptoms of:

• nausea
• bloating
• cramps
• flatulence
• diarrhea

These symptoms usually present themselves between 30 minutes – 2 hours following ingestion of lactose. Symptoms will vary depending on how intolerant one’s system is to lactose.

As you can see, the above symptoms closely mirror those related to IBS. Therefore, discovering whether or not lactose intolerance is a contributing factor to the symptoms an IBS sufferer experiences, can be difficult to determine without the proper diagnosis.

One of the ways an IBS sufferer can self-determine if they have lactose intolerance is to begin a lactose elimination diet. In other words, ingest a lactose product and find out if you have a reaction within 30 minutes - 2 hours after eating it. If you do, eliminate this item from your diet and try ingesting something else that contains less lactose. Continue eliminating until you no longer have symptoms.

Unfortunately, the problem with an elimination diet is many people are not aware that lactose isn’t only in dairy products. It also exists in small amounts in bake goods, certain breads, cookies, dry cereal, breakfast drinks and instant soups. In addition, lactose is often used for filler or to increase the bulk of capsules and tablets.

The following are a list of lactose ingredient names to look for on food packages: lactose, whey, buttermilk, nonfat milk solids, malted milk, margarine, sour cream, sweet. Furthermore, make sure you ask the pharmacist if any of the medication you are taking contains lactose.

If you have been diagnosed with IBS, it’s a good idea to take a hydrogen breath test to determine whether or not you have lactose malabsoprtion. This is the best way for you to determine what course of action you should take. After all, if you don’t suffer from lactose intolerance, eating a lactose-free diet isn’t going to help the symptoms you are experiencing. Plus, foods that contain lactose are usually high in calcium and are an important part of a healthy diet.

Additionally, if the lactose breath test is negative, your doctor may want to run other tests to rule out other dietary factors you may be allergic too.

If a hydrogen breath tests proves that you are lactose intolerant, the best treatment is to completely eliminate all lactose products from your diet. Due to the fact that this means eliminating many dairy products from your diet, you will need to find other ways to provide your body with the calcium it needs to remain strong and healthy.

The following are a list of food sources that are high in calcium and contain no lactose:

• Fortified soymilk
• Canned salmon
• Canned tuna
• Sardines with edible bones
• Raw broccoli
• Lettuce greens
• Orange
• Pinto beans

There are other foods high in calcium without lactose such as spinach, swiss chard and rhubarb, but they also contain oxalates which block the absorption of calcium so they are counter productive.

Recent research finds that yogurt with active cultures are a good sources of calcium event though it contains lactose. The reason why yogurt appears not to cause problems is because the bacterial culture produces some of the lactase enzyme that is necessary for proper digestion.

Calcium supplements may also be necessary in order to meet the daily requirements. Talk to your doctor about treatment for IBS Syndrome.

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