Lactose Intolerance

Description

Lactose intolerance refers to an inability to digest lactose (milk sugar).

Causes

Generally, lactose intolerance is due to a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme responsible for digesting lactose.

Signs & Symptoms

Common signs of indigestion include flatulence and bloating.

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function:
        Immune System Support &
        Antioxidants

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General Supplements
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Acidophilus	1 tspn
Charcoal	4 tablets
Enzymes (lactase)	As directed on the label
Vitamin D	400 IU
Vitamin E	500 IU
Zinc	30 mg tid

*Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.

Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.

Dietary Considerations

Dairy products may need to be restricted, usually cow's milk and some related cheeses. Milk from goats, rice or soy may be substituted. Yogurt is usually beneficial.

Special attention may also be required towards other sources of calcium e.g. apricots, broccoli, calcium-fortified orange juice etc.

Homeopathic Remedy

Description	Remedy
Catarrh / Diarrhea	Magnesia carbonica
Carbohydrate intolerance	Natrum carbonicum
Mucosal	Calcarea carbonica
Salt craving	Natrum Muriaticum

Treatment Schedule

Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies may be single strength (of fairly weak potency e.g. 6X ) or a blend of several weaker strengths (6X, 8X, 10X).

This may comprise a single remedy, or several remedies.

Doses are administered on a 3 times daily (tid), between meals,schedule and continued for 3 days.

Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose.

Solid preparations are usually 2 or 3 pellets per dose.

Children use 1/2 dose i.e. 1 pellet.

If there is aggravation of the symptoms, stop taking the remedy and consult a homeopath.

References

Murphy, R. : Homeopathic Medical Repertory. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1993.

Murphy, R. : Lotus Materia Medica. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1995.

Pert, J.C.: Homeopathy for the Family. The Homoeopathic Development Foundation, London. 1985 edition.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Geranium

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Geranium Essence,	Lavender Essence,
Lemon Essence.

Related Health Conditions

Allergy
Food Allergy
Food Poisoning
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lactation
Ulcerative Colitis

Abstracts

References

Aurisicchio-LN & Pitchumoni-CS: Lactose intolerance: recognizing the link between diet and discomfort. Postgraduate-Medicine. 1994 Jan; 95(1): 113-6, 119-20, 201-2 passim. (11 ref)

B”hmer CJ & Tuynman HA The clinical relevance of lactose malabsorption in irritable bowel syndrome. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 1996 Oct, 8:10, 1013-6.

Bhutta ZA et al., Lactose intolerance in persistent diarrhoea during childhood: the role of a traditional rice-lentil (Khitchri) and yogurt diet in nutritional management. JPMA J Pak Med Assoc, 1997 Jan, 47:1, 20-4.

Castiglia-PT: Lactose intolerance Journal-of-Pediatric-Health-Care. 1994 Jan-Feb; 8(1): 36-8. (7 ref)

Dehkordi-N et al: Lactose malabsorption as influenced by chocolate milk, skim milk, sucrose, whole milk, and lactic cultures. Journal-of-the-American-Dietetic-Association. 1995 Apr; 95(4): 484-6 (19 ref)

Hertzler-SR & Savaiano-DA: Colonic adaptation to daily lactose feeding in lactose maldigesters reduces lactose intolerance. American-Journal-of-Clinical-Nutrition. 1996 Aug; 64(2): 232-6. (24 ref)

Hertzler-SR: How much lactose is low lactose? J-Am-Diet-Assoc. 1996 Mar; 96(3): 243-6.

Hertzler SR et al., Fecal hydrogen production and consumption measurements. Response to daily lactose ingestion by lactose maldigesters. Dig Dis Sci, 1997 Feb, 42:2, 348-53.

Hussein-L; Ezzilarab-A: The frequency distribution of lactose malabsorption among adult populations from the eastern and western Egyptian deserts. Biochem-Genet. 1994 Oct; 32(9-10): 331-42.

Johnson-AO et al: Adaptation of lactose maldigesters to continued milk intakes. Am-J-Clin-Nutr. 1993 Dec; 58(6): 879-81.

Lin-MY et al: Comparative effects of exogenous lactase (beta-galactosidase) preparations on in vivo lactose digestion. Dig-Dis-Sci. 1993 Nov; 38(11): 2022-7.

Marteau P et al., Do patients with short-bowel syndrome need a lactose-free diet? [see comments]. Nutrition, 1997 Jan, 13:1, 13-6.

Mustapha A et al., Improvement of lactose digestion by humans following ingestion of unfermented acidophilus milk: influence of bile sensitivity, lactose transport, and acid tolerance of Lactobacillus acidophilus. J Dairy Sci, 1997 Aug, 80:8, 1537-45.

Novotny-R et al: Adolescent milk consumption, menarche, birth weight, and ethnicity influence height of women in Hawaii. JADA. 1996 Aug; 96(8): 802-4.

Parfenov-AI: [Lactose digestion and absorption in the jejunum of man: studies using the regional perfusion method]. Klin-Med-Mosk. 1993; 71(3): 40-2.

Spollett-GR: Nutritional management of common gastrointestinal problems. Nurse-Pract-Forum. 1994 Mar; 5(1): 24-7.

Suarez-FL & Savaiano-DA: Lactose digestion and tolerance in adult and elderly Asian-Americans. Am-J-Clin-Nutr. 1994 May; 59(5): 1021-4.

Vernia P et al., Lactose malabsorption and irritable bowel syndrome. Effect of a long-term lactose-free diet. Ital J Gastroenterol, 1995 Apr, 27:3, 117-21.

Webster-RB: Lactose maldigestion and recurrent abdominal pain in children. Dig-Dis-Sci. 1995 Jul; 40(7): 1506-10.