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[dairy fiend]

im an 18 year old male who recently ended a 4 1/2 month diet that i went on during the wrestling season. In that time i cut out dairy almost completely from my diet with the exception of about 4 oz of yogurt per week. Now that the season is over, I have gone back to a regular diet, which obviously includes dairy. The problem is, I fear that I have made myself lactose intolerant because I get all the symptoms (bloating, gas, diahrea). Is it even possible to make yourself lactose intolerant? Is there anything I can do to reverse this if that is what happened?

Just for reference, my diet for my entire life has always consisted of LARGE amounts of diary (my friends have called me the diary fiend for the last few years because I have so much of it). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[bkdaniels]

Hey Diary friend, how are you doing?

Dietary adjustment is the primary form of therapy. Reduce or restrict products containing lactose. Prehydrolyzed milk (LactAid) is available and is effective. Yogurt and fermented products, such as cheeses, are better tolerated than regular milk. Soya-based milk or food products are well tolerated.

Commercially available lactase enzyme preparations (LactAid or Lactrase) are effective in reducing symptoms; however, they may not be effective in some patients, partially due to insufficient dosing. Supplemental calcium should also be recommended. In secondary lactase deficiency, treatment is directed at the underlying cause.

Lactose intolerance is a common disorder and is due to the inability to digest lactose into its constituents, glucose and galactose, secondary to low levels of lactase enzyme in the brush border of the duodenum. Lactase deficiency is the most common form of disaccharidase deficiency. Enzyme levels are highest shortly after birth and decline with aging, despite a continued intake of lactose. Within the animal world, nonhuman mammals usually lose the ability to digest lactose as they reach adulthood. Some populations of the human species, including those of Asian, South American, and African descent, have a propensity for developing lactase deficiency. By contrast, races descended from northern Europe or from the northwestern Indian subcontinent are likely to retain the ability to absorb lactose into adulthood.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include loose stools, abdominal bloating and pain, flatulence, nausea, and borborygmi. A diagnosis or even the suggestion of lactose intolerance leads many people to avoid milk and/or consume specially prepared food with digestive aids, adding to health care costs.

Lactose intolerance is not lethal. Morbidity is low from lactose intolerance. Osteopenia can be a complication of this disorder. Persons of all races are affected, with higher prevalence among Asian, African, and South American persons.

Best wishes,