ALLAYING FEARS AND FALLACIES ABOUT LACTOSE-INTOLERANCE

Public awareness and misunderstandings of lactose intolerance are at a n all-time high. Many people erroneously believe they are lactose into lerant or develop gastrointestinal symptoms after intake of lactose. C onsequently, lactose-containing foods such as milk and other dairy foo ds may be eliminated unnecessarily from the diet. Because these foods are a major source of calcium, low intake of them can compromise calci um nutriture. This, in turn, can increase the risk of major chronic di seases such as osteoporosis (porous bones) and hypertension. This revi ew is intended to help dietetics professionals alleviate clients' fear s about lactose intolerance and recommend dietary strategies to improv e tolerance to lactose. Scientific findings indicate that the prevalen ce of lactose intolerance is grossly overestimated. Other physiologic and psychologic factors can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms th at mimic lactose intolerance. Scientific findings also indicate that p eople with laboratory-confirmed low levels of the enzyme lactase can c onsume 1 serving of milk with a meal or 2 servings of milk per day in divided doses at breakfast and dinner without experiencing symptoms. S everal dietary strategies are available to help lactose maldigesters i nclude milli and other dairy foods in their diet without experiencing symptoms.