Question:
im an 18 year old male who recently ended a 4 1/2 month diet that i
went on during the wrestling season. In that time i cut out dairy
almost completely from my diet with the exception of about 4 oz of
yogurt per week. Now that the season is over, I have gone back to a
regular diet, which obviously includes dairy. The problem is, I fear
that I have [i:a5903848ca]made myself[/i:a5903848ca] lactose
intolerant because I get all the symptoms (bloating, gas, diahrea). Is
it even possible to make yourself lactose intolerant? Is there
anything I can do to reverse this if that is what happened? Just
for reference, my diet for my entire life has always consisted of
LARGE amounts of diary (my friends have called me the diary fiend for
the last few years because I have so much of it). Any help would be
[b:a5903848ca]greatly[/b:a5903848ca] appreciated.

Answer:
Hey Diary friend, how are you doing? Dietary adjustment is the
primary form of therapy. Reduce or restrict products containing
lactose. Prehydrolyzed milk (LactAid) is available and is effective.
Yogurt and fermented products, such as cheeses, are better tolerated
than regular milk. Soya-based milk or food products are well
tolerated. Commercially available lactase enzyme preparations
(LactAid or Lactrase) are effective in reducing symptoms; however,
they may not be effective in some patients, partially due to
insufficient dosing. Supplemental calcium should also be recommended.
In secondary lactase deficiency, treatment is directed at the
underlying cause. Lactose intolerance is a common disorder and is
due to the inability to digest lactose into its constituents, glucose
and galactose, secondary to low levels of lactase enzyme in the brush
border of the duodenum. Lactase deficiency is the most common form of
disaccharidase deficiency. Enzyme levels are highest shortly after
birth and decline with aging, despite a continued intake of lactose.
Within the animal world, nonhuman mammals usually lose the ability to
digest lactose as they reach adulthood. Some populations of the human
species, including those of Asian, South American, and African
descent, have a propensity for developing lactase deficiency. By
contrast, races descended from northern Europe or from the
northwestern Indian subcontinent are likely to retain the ability to
absorb lactose into adulthood. Symptoms of lactose intolerance
include loose stools, abdominal bloating and pain, flatulence, nausea,
and borborygmi. A diagnosis or even the suggestion of lactose
intolerance leads many people to avoid milk and/or consume specially
prepared food with digestive aids, adding to health care costs.
Lactose intolerance is not lethal. Morbidity is low from lactose
intolerance. Osteopenia can be a complication of this disorder.
Persons of all races are affected, with higher prevalence among Asian,
African, and South American persons. Best wishes,