Lactose intolerance occurs when lactose, which is the dominant sugar in the milk, can’t be digested. This is due to lack of lactase enzyme. Lactase is normally produced by small bowel cells. It breaks down lactose into galactose and glucose.

The symptoms of lactose intolerance are nausea, cramps, fart and diarrhea. These symptoms occur half to two hours after lactose intake. The intention of the symptoms depend on lactose tolerability of the individual.

The reasons of lactose intolerance aren’t well known. For instance ulcer may decrease the lactase production. For some kids, deficiency of lactase may occur from birth. Although North Europeans are rarely lactose intolerance, it is common for Middle East, India, some African.

Person who have low lactose intolerance can easily tolerate a glass of milk, hard cheese (it has low lactose), and fermented milk products like yogurt. That is why fermented milk products are consumed too much in the regions in which too many people are lactose intolerance.

Lactose Quantity in Milk

All animal milks include lactose. Soy milk is a plant origin and doesn’t contain lactose. Even tough soy milk includes other sugars, it may cause the symptoms resembles to lactose intolerance.
You can see the lactose amount in varied types of animal milks;

• Elephant milk includes 7.4 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Chimp milk includes 7.0 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Human milk includes 6.5 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Horse milk includes 6.2 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Sheep milk includes 5.8 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Zebra milk includes 5.3 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Camel milk includes 5.1 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Pig milk includes 5.0 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Cat milk includes 4.9 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Cow milk includes 4.8 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Kangaroo milk includes 4.7 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Goat milk includes 4.2 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Dog milk includes 3.3 g lactose / 100 ml milk
• Rabbit milk includes 2.0 g lactose / 100 ml milk

Hidden Lactose

Although milk and milk products are the natural sources of the lactose, it is also added in convenience foods. People who can’t tolerate lactose should consider that, several food products may include lactose. As an example of these products, we can list them below;

• Bread and other bakery products
• Breakfast cereals
• Potato powder, instant soup and beverages
• Margarine
• Salad sauces
• Confectionery
• Biscuits and cakes

Conscious consumers look into product label. They not only search milk and actose amount but also search whey, milk powder existence. If these are exist in product, its meant the product iclude lactose.

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