Lactose Intolerance (LI) is one of the much discussed topics in the medical community. With 70% of world population being lactose intolerant, it is but natural to find this much hype and talk about the condition. As with every other medical condition, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about LI. Reasons or causes for LI, symptoms of LI and cure for LI – every subject is to be debated and the people who are lactose intolerant are led to believe in a number of untrue facts about the condition. This article will throw light on such misconceptions about LI.
Misconceptions about Lactose Intolerance: There are several and hence it is ideal to list only the most common:
1. Lactose Intolerance is a disease: Never. It is just a medical condition. Just like aging or wrinkling, it is a naturally-occurring condition. Never think it is a disease which should be treated. It is a condition which should be controlled in order to avoid symptoms.
2. LI is indicated by symptoms: Wrong again. Though there are a few symptoms that indicate you have Lactose Intolerance, it does not mean that only symptoms indicate you are LI. You can be tested positive for LI and still never experience any of the symptoms.
3. Gastrointestinal symptoms mean you have LI: Never. Most of the symptoms – which include abdominal pain, flatulence, vomiting or diarrhea – are indicators of bad intestinal conditions. Even Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause diarrhea and the other symptoms. So, never come to a conclusion before thorough checking with your doctor.
4. You cannot tolerate milk if you’re LI: Not always. No one produces zero lactase. All those with PLI or SLI (except for Congenital Lactose Intolerance) produce lactase at least to a certain extent. Such people can drink even a glass of milk and still never show symptoms. Some people can tolerate a lot of low lactose foods like yogurt or butter. Others, develop tolerance by accustoming themselves to milk products on a regular basis.
5. You can recover from LI by changing your food habits: Not always. Eating can only alleviate your symptoms to a certain extent. It cannot recover you from lactose intolerance. Neither do your intestines produce lactase just because you are on a lactose-free diet. Like aging, lactase can be induced only by pills and no change in food habits can bring about lactase production.
6. Lactose in labels: There is only one Federal regulation that says that lactose should be listed if it is added to a food. However, that does not mean that all the hidden lactose will be covered in the label list of ingredients. So, never believe in the labels and check unless you are sure there is no lactose in the food product.
7. You have to bother only about lactose in foods: No. Lactose can be present even in medications and hence, don’t think you are lactose free if you avoid lactose-containing foods. If you are one who takes about 8-10 pills daily, chances are, you maybe taking lactose that cannot be tolerated by your stomach.
