Lactose Intolerance
If you experience digestive problems after eating or drinking dairy products, you may have lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the primary sugar in milk. This happens when your body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme, lactase, which digests milk sugar. Lactase deficiency is genetic and often occurs as you age because your body is designed to digest milk when you're an infant, but as you get older you may begin to produce less and less lactase.
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
Common symptoms of lactose intolerance generally occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods with lactose. These symptoms may include an upset stomach, bloating, nausea, gas, cramps and/or diarrhea.
Not all people react in the same way, and there are varying degrees of lactose intolerance. If you experience some or all of these symptoms above after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose, you may be one of the millions of people who are lactose intolerant. If you have lactose intolerance, see your doctor for advice.
Hidden Lactose
Lactose is commonly found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, ice cream and cheese. It’s also found in some unexpected places like baked goods and even medications. Reading the ingredient labels will help you find out if a product has lactose.
Managing Lactose Intolerance
The best way to manage lactose intolerance is by consulting your doctor and modifying your diet. You don’t have to give up all the foods you love, or eat them and suffer due to lactose intolerance. Instead, explore non-dairy options, like Silk® Soymilk and other great tasting Silk products.
Silk Soymilk Is Lactose Free
Silk Soymilk is the perfect non-dairy alternative. It offers the vitamins and minerals of dairy milk, without any of the possible unpleasant side effects. Silk can be used in dishes where dairy milk is used. Discover the variety of delicious soy recipes that are available.
Just one eight-ounce glass of Silk has 30 percent of your daily-recommended calcium, as well as vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and B12 and vitamin D. Plus, it has a creamy-smooth texture and tastes great. So what are you waiting for? Check out our delicious Silk products and say goodbye to the side effects of lactose intolerance.
Facts About Lactose Intolerance
- 30 to 50 million Americans have lactose intolerance
- Approximately 75 percent of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans have lactose intolerance
- 90 percent of Asian Americans have lactose intolerance
- 15 percent of Caucasian Americans have lactose intolerance
- Lactose intolerance can be managed successfully through diet
Learn more about how soy foods like Silk can help maintain your health. See how soy can help manage diabetes.
Add Silk to Your Diet
Just one 8 ounce glass of Silk Plain Soymilk provides 7 grams of protein and loads of important vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin D and potassium. Plus, it has 30% of the daily recommended calcium in a smooth, delicious drink. And did we mention that it's lactose free and cholesterol free? Find out just how easy it is to add soy to your diet.