Sunday, December 12, 2010

Lactose-Restricted Diet

A lactose-restricted diet is a highly individual regular diet that limits but do not exclude milk and milk products.
- The diet is intended to reduce any adverse reaction due to lactose ingestion.
- Many people can tolerate 10 grams lactose per day with no occurrence of symptoms especially when lactose-containing foods are consumed as part of a mixed meal. A cup of whole milk has a approximately 10 grams of lactose.
Undigested lactose from taking milk and milk-containing products can give rise to symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and stomachache as a result of bacterial fermentation in the gut.

When is it used?
- Lactase deficiency
- Malabsorption syndrome associated with lactose intolerance

How adequate is the diet?
The diet is generally a regular diet and thus adequate in all nutrients a expect calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and other B vitamins. Use of a milk substitute (e.g. soymilk) is necessary to satisfy the calcium requirement.

Suggested Meal Plan
Follow the same pattern as the regular diet but limit lactose-containing foods according to tolerance.

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