FitSugar

Milk Does a Body Good???

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:30:00 -0800

Do you often get a bellyache when you eat or drink foods containing milk? I'm sorry to say, but you may be lactose intolerant.

Lactose is the milk sugar in dairy products. Lactase is the enzyme in your body that breaks down the lactose.

Some people's bodies just don't produce enough of the enzyme to digest the amount of lactose they eat. So when they eat it, they can feel uncomfortable, gassy, bloated or get severe cramps, pains, or diarrhea.

If you think this info might apply to you, there's a simple breath test you can take at your doctor's office. Basically they give you a lactose-loaded beverage and then they monitor the amount of hydrogen in your breath. Don't bother getting the test if you already know how milk affects you.

What's the cure? Sorry folks - there is none. You can either avoid foods containing milk or take Lactaid pills. You can by them over-the counter and they contain the lactase enzyme. Just take a pill with your first bite of dairy-filled food - and you're good to go.

Fit's Tips: Costco sells Lactaid Fast Act Caplets, so if you use them everyday, you might as well buy them in bulk. (90 for $15.29)

Probiotic (By mouth)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:09:04 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Used to increase the number of "friendly bacteria" in your stomach and intestines.

Brand Name(s)

Pangestyme EC, Creon 10, Creon 20, Viokase, Lipram-Pn10, Lipram-Pn20, Lipram-Pn16, Lipram 4500, Ultrase Mt20, Pangestyme CN-10, Plaretase 8000, Pangestyme CN-20, Lactaid, QC Dairy Relief, Panokase

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lactobacillus, acidophilus, bifidobacterium, or streptococcus thermophilus. Do not use this medicine if you have a high fever, unless your doctor tells you to.

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Powder, Chewable Tablet, Capsule, Coated Tablet, Wafer, Liquid, Delayed Release Capsule

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not let it dissolve in your mouth.
Do not chew, break, or crush the coated tablet or delayed-released capsule. Swallow them whole.
Take the powder with meals. Avoid breathing in the powder. It can be very irritating to your lungs. Do not get the powder on your skin.
If you are using the chewable tablet or wafer, chew it completely before you swallow.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Some forms of this medicine must be kept in the refrigerator after opening.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor about any health problems you have and any medicines that you are taking.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting.
Stomach upset, gas, or cramps.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Source Doc: 45_5261

Tips For the Lactose Intolerant

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Yogurt, creamy soups, ice cream, mac 'n' cheese, ranch dressing, butter on toast - these foods are so delicious and comforting but not for everyone. If you're lactose intolerant (and many people are), a simple slice of cheese on a cracker could have you running to the bathroom. So here are some tips to help you deal with your dairy-filled world.

If your body can't tolerate any dairy products whatsoever, keep Lactaid pills with you at all times. It contains the enzyme, lactase, which lactose intolerant people's bodies don't produce enough of. This enzyme is needed to help break down the lactose (milk sugar) in your foods. If it doesn't get broken down, the lactose causes bloating, gas, or diarrhea.
If you're able to tolerate small amounts of dairy products, be sure to enjoy them with other nondairy foods. This helps reduce the rate at which the lactose enters your small intestine, and allows the small amount of lactase that your body produces to break down the lactose without feeling overwhelmed.

For other helpful tips read more.

Avoiding dairy is your best bet, so be a keen label reader. Look for words such as milk, milk powder, butter, buttermilk, cream, cheese, whey, curds, or milk solids. Hidden lactose can be found in baked goods, dressings, chips, instant soups, candies, pancake mixes, margarine, and certain medications. If you think a food might have dairy in it, but you're not sure, don't take the chance.
Don't be embarrassed. Tell everyone who needs to know that you are lactose intolerant. That way when you show up at a friend's house for dinner, they won't offer you a plate of fettuccine Alfredo.
If possible, remove the dairy from your favorite foods. Peel the cheese off your pizza, order the baked potato but hold the sour cream, and enjoy popcorn without the melted butter.
Look for dairy-free alternatives to your favorite foods. Drink soy, almond, or rice milk instead of cow's milk. Choose soy yogurt, creamer, ice cream, and cheese instead of the dairy-filled versions. Use olive oil or a dairy-free margarine such as Smart Balance in place of butter. Pick up some dairy-free chocolate instead of milk chocolate.

Source

Lactose Intolerance: Can You Grow Out of It?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

How horrible is it to have to say no to ice cream on a hot Summer day? Unfortunately millions or Americans have to say no to ice cream, milk, yogurt, cheese and any foods containing dairy products because they're lactose intolerant. If you can't have milk, it's because your body doesn't produce the enzyme, lactase, to break down the milk sugar (lactose). So undigested lactose sits in your gut, and causes bloating, gas, and embarrassing trips to the bathroom within 30 minutes to two hours after eating anything containing milk.

So can your body ever grow out of lactose intolerance? To find out read more.

The thing is, if your body reduces the amount of lactase enzyme it produces, then unfortunately it's not likely that regular production will suddenly start to kick in. So although growing out of it is unlikely and there is no cure for lactose intolerance, there are some ways around it. Some may find that if they gradually increase the amount of dairy products they eat, the bacteria in their colons may change and be better able handle larger quantities. Other folks find that certain dairy products like cheese and yogurt are easier to digest than a glass of milk, and a little trial and error will help them figure out their personal limit. Eating dairy products with other foods may also make products containing milk more tolerable.

For most people though, their only options are to either eliminate dairy products altogether, or to take Lactaid supplements. These miracle pills contain the lactase enzyme your body lacks, so they allow you to eat all the dairy your little heart desires without the cramping or mortifying gas.

Source

Ice Cream? No Thanks, I'm Lactose Intolerant

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:30:00 -0800

Some people shudder at the sight of drinking a whole glass of milk or a slice of pizza with extra cheese. It isn't the fat they're worried about, it's the lactose. People who are lactose intolerant no longer produce the enzyme lactase in their small intestine to break down the milk sugar lactose. Symptoms can include mild bloating, gas, or just an uncomfortable feeling in the belly 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking a dairy product. For some people, their reaction is more severe, and they end up with painful cramps, nausea, or diarrhea. How much and what types of dairy products are consumed can play a factor in how bad the reaction is.

This video may joke around, but you wouldn't be laughing if you were lactose intolerant. So how do you know? To find out read more

If you notice that you have stomach issues whenever you eat foods that contain milk, well then it's probably safe to say that you're lactose intolerant. It can also run in families, so if your parents or siblings have a hard time digesting milk and cheese and such, then there's a good chance that you'll follow in their footsteps.

There are two tests you can take though, just to make sure.

Lactose Intolerance Test: You fast before the test and then drink a liquid that contains lactose. Several blood samples are taken over a two-hour period to measure your blood sugar levels. Normally, when a person eats a dairy product, the lactase enzyme breaks down the lactose into glucose and galactose, which raises the person's blood-sugar levels. If the lactase enzyme isn't there to do its job, then a blood sample would show no rise in the blood-sugar level, and the doctor would then confirm lactose intolerance.

Hydrogen Breath Test: You drink a liquid loaded with lactose, and your breath is analyzed. Normally the breath contains little hydrogen, but when there is undigested lactose in the colon, it's fermented by bacteria, which produces several gases including hydrogen. If your doctor sees raised levels of hydrogen in your breath, then you're lactose intolerant.

So now what? Unfortunately there is no cure for lactose intolerance, but there are two options. You can avoid all foods that contain milk or you can take lactase supplements (Lactaid pills). These allow you to pop a pill with your first bite of dairy, so you can enjoy the foods you love without the horrible symptoms.