What causes milk intolerance?
Some people (many Asians) have intolerance to milk, to any food made with milk, and to other dairy products. This is caused by lactase deficiency. Lactase is an enzyme normally present in our digestive system. People who, from infancy to adult life, have been drinking milk, or consuming dairy products regularly, produce adequate amount of lactase in their digestive system to help digest these foods. Those who did not develop the habit of drinking milk or eating dairy products from early on have diminished or insufficient lactase enzyme, and therefore, unable to digest lactose (complex sugars in dairy foods). When they start drinking milk or eating dairy products later in life, these individuals are unable to digest the lactose in their digestive tract, which results in abdominal discomfort, gas, cramps, sensation of bloating, and even diarrhea. Today, there are lactase pills (one of them called Lactaid, with 9000 FCC Lactase units) available in drug stores. These pills are heaven-sent
