Lactose Intolerance

How Is Lactose Intolerance Treated?

Babies and young children shouldn’t have foods containing lactose. Older children and adults usually don’t have to avoid lactose completely but should figure out the amount that they can have, based on symptoms after ingestion of lactose. Calcium and vitamin D pills may be needed to replace what would normally be obtained from milk. Calcium is very important for children, teenagers, and pregnant, breastfeeding, and postmenopausal women. Instead of calcium pills, eating more calcium-rich foods, such as shrimp, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables, is possible. Over-the-counter lactase enzymes (drops or chewable) are available. Drops can be put into milk. Chewable tablets help people digest solid foods.

Symptoms take about 3 weeks to go away once eating dairy products stops.

DOs and DON’Ts in Managing Lactose Intolerance:

• DO get enough calcium and vitamin D, from diet or supplements. Read food labels to see whether food contains lactose or has too much vitamin D and calcium. High-calcium foods include broccoli, kale, greens, oysters, and fish with soft bones (salmon, sardines).
• DO tell your health care provider about all your medicines. Some contain lactose.
• DO consider breastfeeding your baby if you have a family history of lactose intolerance.
• DO give babies soy-based formula, not milk.
• DO call your health care provider if a milk-free diet doesn’t help symptoms.
• DO call your health care provider if your child doesn’t gain weight or refuses food or formula.

• DON’T eat foods that may contain hidden lactose. These foods include bread and baked goods, processed breakfast cereals, instant potatoes, soups, breakfast drinks, margarine, lunch meats, salad dressings, candies, and mixes for pancakes, biscuits, and cookies.
• DON’T take medicines that contain lactose as a base.