Understand the Link Between Lactose Intolerance and Diarrhea

What do lattes, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese all have in common? If you answered dairy, you are absolutely right! Many add dairy products to recipes to make dishes smoother and creamier, while others enjoy sweet milk- or dairy-based treats or drinks often.

Unfortunately, not everyone can enjoy them without consequence. Just ask people with lactose intolerance, who may experience sudden diarrhea episodes due to sudden cases of diarrhea and other related symptoms after eating dairy products. Discover why milk-based products may trigger diarrhea — and how to prevent it.

Why Does Lactose Intolerance Cause Diarrhea Symptoms?

Lactose intolerance and diarrhea are interconnected because lactose intolerance primarily affects the digestive system. For the uninitiated, lactose intolerance is a condition wherein someone lacks an enzyme that’s produced in the small intestine called lactase. When the body doesn’t have enough lactase, it experiences difficulty digesting a type of sugar found in dairy and milk products called lactose. Normally, lactase transforms sugar from milk into either glucose or galactose. Afterwards, these monosaccharides are then absorbed by enterocytes in the small intestine.

When lactase levels are insufficient, undigested lactose travels to the colon. It’s as if lactose bypassed a step needed in the digestion process. Once lactose enters the colon, it can interact with bacteria in it, resulting in any of these symptoms of lactose intolerance:¹

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating and gas
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Symptoms usually occur within 30 minutes to two (2) hours after lactose consumption. However, some experts note that factors like lactose consumption and lactase levels in the body may affect recovery times.²

Types of Lactose Intolerance

Did you know that there are actually three types of lactose intolerance that can cause diarrhea and other symptoms? Here’s a quick rundown:¹

• Primary lactose intolerance: Also called lactase non-persistence, this is the most common type of lactose intolerance. It may happen among people who produce enough lactase at birth but struggle with very low levels of the mentioned enzyme as they reach adulthood. As a result, their bodies find it difficult to digest dairy products, which can ultimately cause diarrhea.
• Secondary lactose intolerance: This occurs when the small intestine does not produce a lot of lactase anymore due to illnesses, injuries, or surgeries.
• Congenital or developmental lactose intolerance: Congenital lactase deficiency is extremely rare and presents in infancy, mainly because babies produce little to no lactase. Genetics is the main reason for this health issue, linked to a gene that both the baby’s parents must pass to their offspring. In some cases, premature babies also struggle with lactose intolerance due to low levels of lactase in the body.

If you suspect that you have lactose intolerance mainly because of the earlier-mentioned diarrhea symptoms, talk to a doctor right away. They can use methods like a hydrogen breath test or lactose tolerance test alongside a review of your medical history to determine if you have lactose intolerance or not.³

Can Lactose Intolerance Cause Diarrhea Forever?

The slightly good news is that some of the aforementioned lactose intolerance symptoms can be prevented with a few lifestyle tweaks:²

• Avoid or significantly reduce the amount of lactose you eat or drink: This is perhaps the most common advice for people with lactose intolerance. It entails reducing or even avoiding the intake of dairy products like milk, yogurt, or cheese. Opt for lactose-free milk or plant-based alternatives like soy or almond milk. Some people may also look for lactose- or dairy-free options at supermarkets or groceries so they can still enjoy dairy products without the risk of diarrhea.
• Consider smaller dairy portion sizes: Some health experts note that digesting dairy or milk-based products is possible even among people with low lactase levels.¹ In line with this, some people can try including small amounts of dairy in their meals to see how their bodies would react. If there are no side effects, they can gradually increase the amount of dairy they can include in their meals.²
• Increase probiotic intake: Some studies have discovered a positive relationship between increased probiotic intake and relief of symptoms linked to lactose intolerance, like diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach pain.^4,5 Probiotics are essential in providing beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut barrier. Probiotics such as Saccharomyces boulardii may help enhance intestinal barrier function and improve lactose digestion. While high amounts of probiotics are found in yogurt, a dairy-based product, non-dairy options to consider include kimchi, kombucha, miso, and sauerkraut.⁶

You can consult your doctor about the possible use of a probiotic supplement such as Saccharomyces boulardii (Biome^® Gut Care).

While it is undeniably a challenge to struggle with diarrhea linked to lactose intolerance, remember that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Prevent this common issue and its symptoms with the help of strategies that counteract the unwanted effects of too little lactase in the body.

If you’re looking for a probiotic that can help target lactose intolerance symptoms or improve overall health, choose Biome^® Gut Care, which has 5 billion CFUs of a probiotic called Saccharomyces boulardii.

Together with proper diet and a healthy lifestyle, this probiotic supplement’s S. boulardii content may help support gastrointestinal function and improve gut flora balance by:⁷

• Binding to gastrointestinal mucus and epithelial cells
• Helping colonize the intestines

Biome^® Gut Care is available in drugstores nationwide and online on Shopee and Lazada.

MAHALAGANG PAALALA: ANG BIOME® GUT CARE AY HINDI GAMOT AT HINDI DAPAT GAMITING PANGGAMOT SA ANUMANG URI NG SAKIT.