Purchasers ask me about lactose on a regular basis. A short survey of information about lactose needed to start with milk.
Many books and articles exist on the well being issues related to milk. They embody breast, prostate and ovarian cancers; allergic reactions in infants; and elevated threat of bone fractures, kind 1 diabetes, a number of sclerosis, zits, ear infections, and constipation.
Clearly, the well being hazards of milk deserve a full dialogue of their very own.
Monsanto has had a hand on this, however for brevity, this text will tackle lactose solely.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is an incapability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk and different dairy products. It is brought on by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme essential for breaking down lactose.
The end result will usually be gastrointestinal signs and indicators, equivalent to bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and even vomiting.
Lactose intolerance could also be genetic, cultural (occurring extra regularly in cultures that do not depend on dairy products as a meals supply), and even exposure-related. These accustomed to consuming dairy products regularly, particularly as kids, could expertise increased tolerance general.
Age could be a issue, as effectively. Some shoppers have seen GI distresses attributable to dairy products as they become older.
Charges of lactose intolerance could vary from 5% in northern European international locations to as a lot as 90% in African and Asian international locations, the place milk and different dairy products aren’t consumed.
Some anti-dairy articles suggest milk products for Scandinavians solely – and never even all Scandinavians, simply blond-haired ones.
Is Lactose Hiding In Your Meals?
Sudden meals could include lactose. A consumer who was working laborious to get away from sugar had deliberate to strive stevia, however reported to me that she could not use it as a result of she was lactose illiberal Drinking yogurt.
That made no sense till the following time I visited Dealer Joe’s, which is the place the consumer had gone for her groceries. Dealer Joe’s carries 2 sorts of stevia. One is in a small plastic bottle that accommodates 100% pure stevia. The opposite is in a a lot bigger bottle and accommodates stevia plus lactose as a sweetener.
Now, I simply do not get including sweeteners to sweeteners, however I am the die-hard Sugar Patrol, so do not ask me. Folks even add sweeteners to fruit – frozen, canned, dried, baked – one other factor I do not get. However I digress.
Moreover, there’s extra to be mentioned about stevia, since some folks could have a sugar response to it. That may embody, however just isn’t restricted to, later cravings for sugary meals. However let’s save the stevia dialogue for nonetheless one other article.
Backside line, lactose is an added sweetener utilized in sure meals. Learn all labels.
When Purchasers Give up Sugar, What Occurs?
This brings us to Lactose as Sugar.
As a sugar dependancy skilled, I’ve seen a standard sample in consumer meals logs. Somebody who’s within the means of kicking sugar would possibly begin consuming extra milk products – cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, and so forth.
It is value noting and stopping for those who’re severe about quitting sugar. Cheese could include much less lactose than milk, however a sugar-addicted mind may be sneaky. It is value noting the sample and stopping for those who’re severe about quitting sugar.
As talked about above, the destructive heath penalties of dairy products are many. Whether or not you are lactose illiberal or not, subbing lactose for the sugars you are attempting to stop can and will likely be counterproductive. Lactose can have the identical impact as another sugar on somebody who’s sugar-sensitive.
In case you are quitting sugar, stop lactose, too. Your vigilance will reward you.