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Can lactose intolerance develop later in life. Lactose Intolerance: Can It Develop Later in Life and How to Manage It

by alexxlab

Can lactose intolerance suddenly appear in adulthood. What causes lactose intolerance to develop later in life. How is lactose intolerance diagnosed in adults. What are the best ways to manage lactose intolerance symptoms. Are there any treatments available for adult-onset lactose intolerance.

Understanding Lactose Intolerance: A Common Digestive Issue

Lactose intolerance is a digestive condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the body is unable to properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. While many people associate lactose intolerance with childhood or adolescence, it’s important to understand that this condition can develop at any age, even in adulthood.

What exactly is lactose intolerance? It’s a condition where the small intestine doesn’t produce enough of an enzyme called lactase. Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into simpler sugars that the body can absorb. When there’s not enough lactase, undigested lactose moves into the colon, where it’s fermented by bacteria, leading to uncomfortable symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

  • Bloating
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Gas
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

These symptoms typically occur within 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming dairy products.

The Science Behind Adult-Onset Lactose Intolerance

Many people are surprised to learn that lactose intolerance can develop later in life. But why does this happen? The answer lies in the body’s natural aging process and various other factors.

As we age, our bodies may produce less lactase enzyme. This gradual decline in lactase production is known as primary lactose intolerance. It’s the most common form of lactose intolerance and can manifest at any age, though it’s more common in adulthood.

What causes this decline in lactase production? Researchers believe it’s partly genetic. Some populations, particularly those of East Asian, African, and Native American descent, are more prone to developing lactose intolerance as they age.

Secondary Lactose Intolerance: When Other Conditions Play a Role

Sometimes, lactose intolerance can be triggered by other medical conditions. This is known as secondary lactose intolerance. Conditions that can lead to secondary lactose intolerance include:

  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Intestinal infections
  • Chemotherapy or radiation treatment

In these cases, treating the underlying condition may help restore lactase production and alleviate lactose intolerance symptoms.

Diagnosing Lactose Intolerance in Adults

If you suspect you’ve developed lactose intolerance, it’s essential to get a proper diagnosis. While the symptoms can be indicative, they’re not definitive proof of lactose intolerance. Other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or milk allergies, can present similar symptoms.

How is lactose intolerance diagnosed in adults? There are several tests that doctors can use to confirm the condition:

  1. Lactose tolerance test: This involves drinking a liquid containing lactose and then measuring blood glucose levels over a few hours.
  2. Hydrogen breath test: After consuming a lactose-containing beverage, the amount of hydrogen in your breath is measured.
  3. Stool acidity test: This is mainly used for infants and children, as it measures the amount of acid in the stool.

Your doctor may also recommend eliminating dairy from your diet for a few weeks to see if symptoms improve, then reintroducing it to see if symptoms return.

Managing Lactose Intolerance: Dietary Strategies and Alternatives

Once diagnosed with lactose intolerance, the primary management strategy is dietary modification. But this doesn’t necessarily mean completely eliminating dairy from your diet.

What are some effective ways to manage lactose intolerance? Here are several strategies:

  • Gradual reduction: Slowly reduce your dairy intake to find your personal tolerance level.
  • Lactose-free products: Many dairy products are available in lactose-free versions.
  • Enzyme supplements: Taking lactase enzyme supplements before consuming dairy can help with digestion.
  • Fermented dairy: Products like yogurt and kefir are often better tolerated due to their probiotic content.
  • Non-dairy alternatives: Plant-based milk, cheese, and yogurt can be excellent substitutes.

It’s important to note that complete avoidance of dairy isn’t always necessary or recommended. Many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of dairy, especially when consumed with other foods.

Nutritional Considerations for Adults with Lactose Intolerance

When managing lactose intolerance, it’s crucial to ensure you’re still getting all the necessary nutrients typically found in dairy products. Calcium and vitamin D are particularly important.

How can you maintain proper nutrition while avoiding dairy? Consider these non-dairy sources of essential nutrients:

  • Calcium: Leafy greens, fortified plant-based milk, canned fish with bones, and certain nuts and seeds.
  • Vitamin D: Fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods. Sunlight exposure also helps your body produce vitamin D.
  • Protein: Lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes, and plant-based protein sources.
  • Probiotics: Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha.

It’s always a good idea to consult with a registered dietitian to ensure you’re meeting all your nutritional needs while managing lactose intolerance.

The Role of Probiotics in Managing Lactose Intolerance

Emerging research suggests that probiotics may play a beneficial role in managing lactose intolerance. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.

How do probiotics help with lactose intolerance? Some probiotic strains produce lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. By introducing these beneficial bacteria into your gut, you may improve your ability to digest lactose.

Studies have shown that certain probiotic strains, particularly those found in yogurt and kefir, can help alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance. This is one reason why many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate yogurt better than milk.

Probiotic Sources for Lactose Intolerant Individuals

  • Lactose-free yogurt
  • Kefir (if tolerated)
  • Fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, kimchi)
  • Kombucha
  • Probiotic supplements (consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen)

While probiotics show promise, more research is needed to fully understand their role in managing lactose intolerance. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or starting new supplements.

Lactose Intolerance vs. Milk Allergy: Understanding the Difference

It’s crucial to distinguish between lactose intolerance and milk allergy, as they are two different conditions that require different management approaches.

What sets lactose intolerance apart from a milk allergy? Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue caused by the inability to break down lactose. A milk allergy, on the other hand, is an immune system response to one or more proteins in milk.

Key Differences Between Lactose Intolerance and Milk Allergy

  • Onset of symptoms: Lactose intolerance symptoms typically appear within 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming dairy. Milk allergy symptoms can occur immediately or up to several hours later.
  • Types of symptoms: Lactose intolerance primarily causes digestive symptoms. Milk allergies can cause digestive symptoms as well as skin reactions, respiratory issues, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
  • Treatment: Lactose intolerance is managed through dietary changes and possibly enzyme supplements. Milk allergies require strict avoidance of all milk proteins and may need emergency medication for severe reactions.
  • Diagnosis: Lactose intolerance is diagnosed through breath or blood tests. Milk allergies are typically diagnosed through skin prick tests, blood tests, or elimination diets.

If you’re unsure whether you have lactose intolerance or a milk allergy, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and management.

The Future of Lactose Intolerance Treatment

While current management strategies for lactose intolerance focus on dietary modifications and enzyme supplements, researchers are exploring new avenues for treatment.

What potential treatments are on the horizon for lactose intolerance? Some promising areas of research include:

  • Gene therapy: Scientists are exploring ways to reactivate the lactase gene in adults with lactose intolerance.
  • Microbiome manipulation: Research is ongoing into how altering the gut microbiome might improve lactose digestion.
  • Improved enzyme supplements: Work is being done to develop more effective and longer-lasting lactase enzyme supplements.
  • Prebiotics: Studies are looking at how certain prebiotics might enhance lactose digestion.

While these potential treatments are exciting, they’re still in the research phase. For now, the most effective approach to managing lactose intolerance remains dietary management and current enzyme supplements.

Staying Informed About Lactose Intolerance

As with any health condition, staying informed about the latest research and management strategies for lactose intolerance is crucial. Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider can help ensure you’re using the most up-to-date and effective management techniques.

Remember, while lactose intolerance can develop later in life, it’s a manageable condition. With the right strategies and support, you can continue to enjoy a varied and nutritious diet while keeping symptoms at bay.

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Lactose Intolerance Can Develop at Any Age

  • By

    Liza Torborg

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What would cause someone to become lactose-intolerant later in life? I’m in my 40s and have never had an issue with dairy, but, now, I can’t seem to have it without problems. Do I need to see a doctor to be tested for allergies, or should I just avoid dairy?

ANSWER: Lactose intolerance isn’t a true allergy, and it can develop at any age. In some people, lactose intolerance may be triggered by another medical condition, such as Crohn’s disease. In others, it develops without a specific underlying cause. It would be a good idea to have your condition evaluated by your doctor to confirm that what you’re dealing with truly is lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance results from a problem with the carbohydrate lactose, a type of sugar found in dairy products. When you eat or drink dairy products, enzymes in your small intestine digest lactose, so the body can make energy. In people with lactose intolerance, a certain enzyme, called lactase, is missing from the body. When those people eat dairy products, the body has no way to break down the lactose. This leads to fermentation of the sugar in the intestines and triggers symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating and gas.

Sometimes, lactose intolerance develops when the small intestine’s production of lactase decreases after an illness, injury or surgery involving the small intestine. This is called secondary lactose intolerance. Among the diseases associated with this kind of lactose intolerance are celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth and Crohn’s disease. Treatment of the underlying disorder may restore lactase levels and improve symptoms.

More common than secondary lactose intolerance is primary lactose intolerance. People who develop primary lactose intolerance start life making normal levels of lactase — a necessity for infants, who get all their nutrition from milk. As children replace milk with other foods, lactase production normally decreases. It stays high enough, though, to digest the amount of dairy in a typical adult diet. In primary lactose intolerance, lactase production declines below normal at some point for reasons that are unclear. The low amount of lactase then makes milk products difficult to digest and leads to lactose intolerance symptoms.

Your doctor can confirm a diagnosis of lactose intolerance with a clinical test. One that’s often used is a lactose tolerance test. It assesses your body’s reaction to a dose of lactose. After you consume a drink containing lactose, a sample of your blood is taken to measure glucose levels. If your glucose level does not rise, it means your body isn’t properly digesting and absorbing the lactose.

Alternatively, another test called the hydrogen breath test may be used. This test also requires you to consume a drink that contains high levels of lactose. Your doctor next measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath. Normally, very little hydrogen is detectable. However, if your body doesn’t digest the lactose, the fermentation reaction in your colon releases hydrogen and other gases. Your intestines absorb those gases, and you exhale them. Larger-than-normal amounts of hydrogen measured during this test are a sign that your body isn’t fully digesting and absorbing lactose.

If you have lactose intolerance, there isn’t a way to cure it. The most effective way for people with lactose intolerance to get relief from symptoms is to lower the amount of dairy products they eat. You may be able to use dairy products that have reduced levels of lactose or are lactose-free. Some people who have lactose intolerance benefit from taking lactase enzyme supplements, as well.

If test results do not point to lactose intolerance, your doctor may recommend additional tests to check for another condition that could be causing your symptoms, such as a milk allergy, intestinal disorders or other problems within your digestive tract. — Dr. Rohit Divekar, Allergic Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

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Do you get gas, bloating, or even diarrhea after you eat dairy foods? You may be lactose intolerant. This is when you can’t digest lactose, the type of sugar found in dairy products.

Lactose intolerance isn’t a serious health condition, but symptoms can be uncomfortable. You may have stomach upset or gas about 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat or drink any dairy food.

Lactose intolerance is caused by low levels of lactase, an enzyme that helps you digest lactose in dairy foods, says Laura Acosta, a registered dietitian at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

“Some people are able to tolerate lactose throughout their lives, but others become more lactose intolerant as they age,” usually caused by your genes, she says. “Some people stop producing lactase, or produce less of it, as they reach adulthood and beyond.”

Lactose intolerance is more common among people of Southeast Asian, East Asian, West African, Native American, Hispanic, or Italian ancestry because they’re more likely to carry the gene mutation that causes the condition, says Vijaya Surampudi, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“We have the highest amounts of lactase when we are young because as babies, we feed on milk. But we often make less and less lactase as we age,” she says. “About 65% of people may experience lactose intolerance at some point in their lives.”

There’s a wide range of lactose intolerance, with some people having no tolerance for dairy, while others can manage to digest foods like hard cheeses or yogurt, she says.

It’s fairly common to notice the signs of lactose intolerance appear as you get older, says Christine Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

“This enzyme production can decrease over time in some people, so most people can experience some degree of lactose intolerance as they get older,” Lee says. You can also become lactose intolerant if you have an illness, infection, or take a medication that affects the bowels or intestines.

These conditions can also cause you to develop lactose intolerance later in life:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis (UC)
  • Celiac disease
  • Injury or trauma to your small intestines

Foods. Any dairy foods or drinks can have lactose, so read food labels carefully. These foods or ingredients may trigger symptoms:

  • Cheese
  • Whey
  • Milk by-products
  • Dry milk
  • Butter
  • Curds
  • Ice cream
  • Heavy cream
  • Cottage cheese
  • Cheese spreads
  • Yogurt

Look for milk in ingredients lists in baked goods, chocolate candies, sauces, instant mashed potatoes, pancakes, or milk-based meal replacement or protein shakes. Even non-dairy coffee creamer or whipped toppings may contain some lactose.

Medications. Some medications like birth control pills or antacid tablets also contain lactose, but these may only cause symptoms in people with severe lactose intolerance. Check the labels of your prescription or OTC medications to see if they contain lactose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s OK for you to take them.

You may not have to give up all the dairy foods you enjoy if you develop lactose intolerance.

Some people with lactose intolerance may be able to eat or drink small amounts of dairy or switch to skim milk and have fewer symptoms. Some people can eat yogurt because it contains live bacteria cultures that help you produce the lactase enzyme to break down lactose.

“Cheese actually has very little lactose. In general, the harder the cheese, the less lactose it has. So many people with lactose intolerance can still tolerate cheese like Parmesan and Swiss in small amounts. This depends on an individual’s sensitivity,” Acosta says.

Talk to your doctor to identify what’s causing your lactose intolerance so you can make the right changes to your diet, Lee says.

“If it’s due to decreased production of lactase, then you can choose to take lactase tablets or drops, enzymes sold in most grocery stores without a prescription, or buy lactose-free milk products,” she says. Supplements are taken before a meal with dairy to help you digest the lactose.

If your lactose intolerance is due to a bowel disease or other health conditions, treat that illness first, she adds. “Always play it safe and discuss your symptoms with your physician.” Unexplained weight loss, bleeding, anemia, nausea, or vomiting may be signs of a more serious medical condition, not just lactose intolerance, she says.

As you age, you still need to get enough calcium even if you develop lactose intolerance. Calcium helps you maintain strong bones and teeth, and healthy muscles and nerves.

“There are many calcium-rich foods people can eat if they’re avoiding lactose,” says Allie Wergin, a registered dietitian/nutritionist with Mayo Clinic Health System. “These include lactose-free dairy products like Lactaid or Dairy Ease milks, where the lactose is predigested or hydrolyzed. This means the milk protein has already been broken down and is easier to digest.”

Other foods that are good sources of calcium, according to Wergin:

  • Calcium-fortified cereals and fruit juices
  • Tofu prepared using calcium sulfate
  • Canned salmon or sardines with bones
  • Plant-based soy, almond, oat, or rice milks
  • Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, bok choy, or collard greens
  • Broccoli
  • Almonds
  • Beans like garbanzo, kidney, or navy

“We recommend that you get calcium through your diet. There are different calcium supplements, including calcium carbonate, which is best absorbed if you take it with food, and calcium citrate, which you can take with or without food,” Surampudi says. Only take a calcium supplement if your doctor says you need one, she says.

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Lactose intolerance | Symptoms, complications, diagnosis and treatment

People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the lactose in milk. As a result, they develop diarrhea, gas, and bloating after eating or consuming dairy products. The condition, also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable. Most people with lactose intolerance can manage the condition without giving up all dairy products.

Lactase deficiency, an enzyme produced in the small intestine, is usually responsible for lactose intolerance. Many people have low lactase levels but can digest dairy products without problems. If you are actually lactose intolerant, lactase deficiency leads to symptoms after you eat dairy products.

Signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. General signs and symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and sometimes vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Inflate
  • Gases

Make an appointment with your doctor if you often experience symptoms of lactose intolerance after eating dairy products, especially if you are worried about getting enough calcium.

Reasons

Lactose intolerance occurs when the small intestine does not produce enough enzyme (lactase) to digest milk sugar (lactose).

Normally, lactase converts milk sugar into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose, which are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal lining.

If you are lactase deficient, the lactose in food moves to the large intestine instead of being processed and absorbed. In the colon, normal bacteria interact with undigested lactose, causing the signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance.

There are three types of lactose intolerance. Various factors cause lactase deficiency underlying each type.

Primary lactose intolerance

This is the most common type of lactose intolerance. People with primary lactose intolerance begin their lives by producing large amounts of lactase, a must for babies who get all their nutrients from milk. As children replace milk with other foods, their lactase production usually decreases but remains high enough to digest the amount of dairy in a normal adult diet.

In primary lactose intolerance, lactase production drops dramatically, making it difficult for adults to digest dairy products. Primary lactose intolerance is genetically determined, which occurs in a significant proportion of people of African, Asian, or Hispanic ancestry. This condition is also common among Mediterranean or South European ancestry.

Secondary lactose intolerance

This form of lactose intolerance occurs when the small intestine reduces its production of lactase after illness, injury, or surgery involving the small intestine. Diseases associated with secondary lactose intolerance include celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth, and Crohn’s disease. Treating the underlying disorder can restore lactase levels and improve symptoms and signs, although this may take some time.

Congenital or developing lactose intolerance

This disorder is passed from generation to generation in a form of inheritance called autosomal recessive. Premature babies may also be lactose intolerant due to insufficient lactase levels.

Factors that may make you or your child more likely to become lactose intolerant, include:

  • Growing up. Lactose intolerance usually appears in adulthood. This disease is rare in children and young children.
  • Ethnos. Lactose intolerance is most common in African, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian people.
  • Premature birth. Babies born prematurely may have low lactase levels because the small intestine does not develop lactase-producing cells until late in the third trimester.
  • Diseases affecting the small intestine. Small intestinal problems that can cause lactose intolerance include bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease.
  • Some treatments for cancer. If you’ve had radiation therapy for abdominal cancer or intestinal complications from chemotherapy, you’re at increased risk of lactose intolerance.

Explained how lactose intolerance affects women

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Lactose is a sugar naturally found in milk and dairy products. Lactose intolerance occurs due to lactose malabsorption. This is a condition in which the small intestine cannot digest or break down all the lactose a person eats or drinks.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), most people with lactose intolerance can consume some lactose without any symptoms. This will depend on each case and their level of intolerance.

If a person is lactose intolerant, they will experience severe discomfort. The most common pains associated with the digestive system are bloating, diarrhea, and gas after eating foods or drinks that contain lactose.

Products containing lactose

Lactose is present in milk and all dairy products such as yogurt, cheese and ice cream. It is also present in many finished products. This long list includes: deli meats, crackers, salad dressings, cereals, breads and other baked goods.

Lactose intolerance should not be confused with milk allergy. The latter is caused by a problem with the immune system. Symptoms can range from mild (rash or itching) to severe (shortness of breath or wheezing). This is more common in children than in adults.

Calcium and vitamin D deficiency

Lactose intolerance can prevent you from getting enough calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health. It promotes bone health and reduces the risk of fractures. It also affects blood clotting, the functioning of the nervous system and the prevention of cardiovascular disease, explains the Spanish Society of Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences (SEDCA).

As for vitamin D, it is important for the proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus, so a deficiency can also reduce the levels of these minerals, which are essential for bone health, among other things. An association has also been found between adequate vitamin D levels and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

How does lactose intolerance affect women?

Women especially need to get enough calcium and vitamin D throughout their lives so that they can build and maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

According to the Office of Women’s Health (OASH), osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and break more easily. And women have a higher risk of osteoporosis than men.

In particular, according to OASH, women are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis for the following reasons:

– Women tend to have smaller, thinner, and less dense bones than men.

– women tend to live longer and bone loss occurs naturally with age.

– In addition, women lose more bone mass after menopause due to very low levels of the hormone estrogen.

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