I think I am Lactose Intolerant

It had been a few weeks since I had been laid off from the job which I served for many years. I was tired of looking for a new job. Tired of doing nothing.

A delicious looking Pizza ad was showing on my TV. This pizza had triple cheese on its crust. I was trying to ignore it, but I couldn’t resist and finally ordered the medium size.

The pizza delivery man rang the doorbell and I jumped off my sofa to reach the door. I was more excited when I open the pizza box.

“Oh, my God…! What have I done to myself?”

I was eating pizza all by myself while watching TV. I was so upset that I cannot finish it because my stomach was so bloated, I couldn’t breathe.

I came to my senses and stop eating. I left the other half of the pizza in the fridge, and I continue watching TV. Not long after that, my stomach started growling and I had to run to the bathroom.

I had diarrhea.

I thought, there must be something wrong with my stomach. Maybe it was the stress of trying to find a new job. Immediately I grab Immodium and went to bed.

Sadly, I never suspected that there might be something wrong with the pizza. The next morning, I felt fine and had a normal breakfast. I started to google, obsessing, trying to find out what could have happened to me last night.

A few diagnoses were found and one of them was “Lactose Intolerant”. I thought the only thing I could be sure about this is to test the theory. So, I decided to take the other half of the pizza for lunch.

A couple of hours later, I had the same reaction. I had another diarrhea. But, I am still not convinced if I might have lactose intolerance. I thought It was just a stomach bug, so I tried to relax and forget about it.

The following week, I visited one of the fast-food chains and I ordered a cheeseburger and milkshake. While drinking this milkshake, I was thinking, I should get ready being near the bathroom if I ever needed to visit one.

That day I was fine, nothing happened. Not until the time I ordered a cappuccino at one of the cafes in the afternoon. I felt so sick, and luckily the bathroom was just around the corner.

I started to read more about Lactose Intolerance. I stopped drinking milk and avoid all dairy products altogether.

No more Latte or Cappucino, no more cakes, no more bread, no more cereal. No more cheeseburgers and no more pizza. But I felt much better.

That’s how I discovered that I have developed lactose intolerance.

Since then, I started to notice that every time I have a little milk or cheese, my stomach will feel very bloated and gassy. It gets very embarrassing sometimes. Even a hint of it will screw my entire day.

What is Lactose Intolerance?

I will not try to explain this in great detail, but in summary, if you are lactose intolerant, it is because the small intestine cannot produce enough enzyme (Lactase) to digest milk sugar (lactose).

If you have symptoms like I do: bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, try to pay attention to what you had before you had these symptoms. If you had any dairy products like Cheese, Ice Cream, Yogurt or Milk, most likely that you are lactose intolerant.

Please don’t get confused with Dairy Allergy, because Lactose Intolerance is not an allergy. Our stomach just reacting differently since it cannot produce enough enzymes.

If you are allergic to dairy, most likely the symptoms you might experience will be like a rash, swelling of the mouth or face, or in very extreme cases will be anaphylaxis.

We still can eat a small amount of dairy. I can tolerate butter, just a small spread, but anyhow I still prefer Margarine instead of butter.

A dairy product is a product that is made from milk or the milk itself. It is a highly nutritious and important source of protein, calcium, and vitamins A, B12, and D.

Which products to avoid?

The following are what comes under the category of dairy product that should be avoided:

• Cow’s Milk (full fat, low fat, skimmed, semi-skimmed, cream, condensed milk, all kinds that made from cow’s milk)
• Goat’s Milk
• Ice Cream, or Gelato
• Cheese (all kinds that made from milk)
• Yogurt
• Butter
• Whey protein product
• Sour Cream

Also acknowledge that some product may contain some Lactose or dairy, like:

• Cakes
• Chocolate Bar
• Bread or baked goods
• Instant soup or cream soup
• Mashed potatoes
• Cereals

This is just a short list but always read the ingredients listed on the labels. If you are dining in the restaurant, be smart about what you are ordering. If not sure always ask the waiter or the chef.

How to manage Lactose Intolerance?

Nowadays in most groceries store, you can find plenty of Lactose-Free Products and many alternative products you can take in the replacement of dairy products.

I have been taking Lactose-Free Milk for some years now, and I don’t have any complaints.

Most importantly is to make sure that we are still able to grab the important nutrients from other sources. For example, there are Soya Milk, Almond Milk, or Coconut Milk that you can also take as an alternative.

Someone also suggested Camel Milk and Fannel Tea. I have never tried Camel milk before and before I try this, I should find out if anyone who is lactose intolerant is having any symptoms after consuming Camel Milk.

Be careful with taking alternative, if you are allergic to soya, Soya Milk may not be the best idea and you might end up with a whole new problem.

These are just a few examples of products that are high in Calcium, alternative products to consume:

• Tofu
• Tempe
• Kale
• Orange Juice
• Brocolli
• Almond Butter
• Tahini

In reality, you cannot really avoid completely having a Lactose Free Diet. Some people say, just keep having dairy and soon your body will adapt. But what they don’t understand is the side effects that we have to deal with is what makes life so uncomfortable.

Only recently that I discovered that you can purchase a lactase enzyme supplement and I found this supplement very helpful. Bear in mind that this is not a cure, but it is a supplement. What it does is that it helps your body to produce more Lactase so that your small intestine can digest dairy and makes you feel less uncomfortable.

I took the Lactase Enzyme Supplement immediately after consuming any dairy product. The more frequent I take this supplement the fewer symptoms I have.

If you do feel the need to completely avoid dairy, make sure that you have the necessary balanced diet daily.

Webber Naturals Lactase Enzyme Extra Strength 140 Capsules

• Lactase Enzyme, Extra Strength, provides relief from lactose intolerance by improving the digestion of milk and dairy products.
• Lactase Enzyme allows people with lactase deficiency to eat or drink dairy foods without experiencing uncomfortable symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal bloating, audible bowel sounds, flatulence, nausea, abdominal cramping.
• Contains 9000 FCC Lactase Units (*FCC: Food Chemical Codex) in each capsule
• Free of artificial colors, preservatives, and sweeteners
• No starch, wheat, yeast, soy, corn, egg, fish, shellfish, or tree nuts

Buy

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