QuestionI was wondering if you knew anything about lactose intolerance. My boyfriend has been going to the doctors a lot lately because of stomach pain, but they said nothing is wrong with him. It just dawned on me today that he might be lactose intolerant. His mother and one of his sisters are.
His symptoms are:
Intense cramping in his lower left stomach, and in the center of his stomach, and diarrhea every once in awhile. I know it's possible to become lactose intolerance over time, but are these symptoms of lactose intolerance?
Thank you!!
AnswerDear Kate,
(In advance: sorry if this is half a repeat answer: my pc crashed!)
I think you may have hit on a good intuition: the symptoms do fit lactose intolerance. It can indeed develop later in life, but usually in combination with a significant life change (after pregnancy, an operation, severe stress, another illness etc). The best way to test this and be sure is to try the following:
For one week cut out all dairy and lactose (read all labelling carefully: it's put in bread, cakes, tins, deep frozen products etc). Then on a quiet day, be brave! and drink about 15 oz (two glasses) of milk or yoghurt and see what happens 30 to 60 mins later. Hopefully nothing too bad, because you describe fairly mild symptoms (real intolerance gives chronic diahoerrea and rashes and constant cramps).
If it turns out to be a lactose intolerance you should go back to that dim doctor and ask for a referal to a dietician at least, and discuss the option of a "lactase" medication which neutralises the reaction to lactose. You must bear in mind that cutting out all dairy will require your boyfriend to think sensibly about food for the rest of his life: he will need to get those minerals/vitamins (calcium, Vit D, B12, iron, folate) most Westerners derive from dairy from other sources (which is not so hard to do! Ask me again if you need to once you know the verdict).
Also bear in mind that an organic non-homogonised milk is less rough going on some systems than processed milk, an organic full fat yoghurt is the least taxing. Cheese is not going to do him any favours, so forget that, if he is intolerant. But above all, realise that lactose ingested without really wanting the "holy cow" dynamic can corrupt the system. I only mention this esoteric angle in the hope that your boyfriend may not have to go 100% lactose-free for the rest of his life if this will depress him too much. This could just be a phase where he can develop a greater consciousness of diet and his own physical/spiritual needs.
Good luck with the experiment, and if you remain unsure, demand further tests at a hospital (they have simple allergy tests with conclusive results in this case).
Take care,
Evelyn
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