Whats the difference between lactose intolerance and a milk allergy?
Someone with lactose intolerance doesn’t have enough of the digestive enzyme lactase to break down the natural carbohydrate in milk, which is called lactose. If they get more lactose than their digestive enzymes can handle, the carbohydrates pass on through the digestive tract where they may cause diarrhea and cramping, or be fermented by the bacteria in the gut, creating a lot of gas. Some people with lactose intolerance have so little lactase that they must avoid food with even the slightest amount of milk. But many can tolerate small amounts of dairy products, especially when they’re eaten with other foods. Other people may be unable to handle milk, but are fine with yogurt and cheese. The healthful bacteria in these products break down the lactose in milk, making them easy to digest. Milk treated with lactase enzyme should also be fine for these people. A milk allergy, on the other hand, is an immune system reaction to the protein in milk. Lactose-free products are no help for peop
