Should lactose maldigesters actually avoid all milk and dairy products?
• Can these individuals eventually “adapt” to enjoy these foods? • What are the potential benefits of yogurt? • What is the difference between lactose maldigestion and milk allergy? These questions are addressed below. Milk and other dairy foods are an important source of high quality protein, vitamin D, calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals (8). Some individuals, however, may experience gastrointestinal symptoms following the consumption of these foods. Bloating, gas and diarrhea are common complaints from people of Asian, Middle Eastern, aboriginal North American, African and Latin American descent. These symptoms result from lactose maldigestion and cause “lactose intolerant” people to avoid milk and dairy products. Extensive population studies in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s showed that much of the world’s adult population (approximately 70%) have low levels of the intestinal enzyme lactase. Lactase is necessary to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in milk and d
