Digestive enzymes for lactose intolerance

Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. When the small intestine makes too little lactase, undigested lactose reaches the bowel, where it can draw in fluid and be fermented. This may lead to Bloating, abdominal cramps, gas, or Diarrhoea after dairy.

Lactase tablets or drops may reduce symptoms when taken as directed with a lactose-containing food. They do not remove lactose from a meal already eaten, and they are not a treatment for milk allergy or every cause of abdominal discomfort.

Notice which foods and portions trigger symptoms rather than removing all dairy automatically. Some people tolerate small amounts, yoghurt, or hard cheese better than a large serving of milk. Choose calcium-containing alternatives if you reduce dairy, and check labels on packaged foods.

A dietitian can help protect nutritional balance while testing your tolerance. Nutrition Counselling may be useful, and Food Intolerance Testing can be discussed if the pattern is unclear.

Seek medical advice for persistent diarrhoea, ongoing Abdominal Pain, blood in stool, vomiting, weight loss, night-time symptoms, or symptoms occurring without dairy. Urgent care is needed for swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or collapse after a food.

Does my pattern fit Lactose Intolerance? How should I trial lactase? Which foods can replace dairy nutrients? Could another bowel condition explain my symptoms? Would testing or Nutrition Counselling help?