SATURDAY, July 27, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- Too many people are having a cow about lactose intolerance and needlessly avoid dairy products, says a new poll sponsored by McNeil Nutritionals, maker of the lactose supplement Lactaid.
The poll of 1,088 adults finds that while a majority of Americans claim to know about lactose intolerance, more than half mistakenly believe the only way to deal with the condition is to shun all dairy products.
Perpetuating myths like these means that Americans often wind up depriving themselves of the health benefits of dairy products, says Laura Brainin-Rodriguez, a nutritionist for the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
"Dairy in the diet is essential to fend off osteoporosis and possibly other diseases," she says.
The survey found that 81 percent of respondents say they know what lactose intolerance is and 57 percent believe that a person with lactose intolerance can't consume any dairy products. Only 31 percent correctly answered that lactose intolerance and difficulty digesting dairy products are synonymous.
Lactose intolerance affects 3 out of 10 Americans, including 50 percent of Hispanics, 80 percent of blacks and more than 90 percent of Asian Americans.
The condition occurs when a person doesn't produce enough of the lactase enzyme needed to digest milk sugar (lactose). It can cause bloating, cramps, gas or diarrhea.
Brainin-Rodriguez says the symptoms can be controlled without having to give up dairy products. Here are some tips:
- Consume small amounts of dairy products several hours apart.
- Eat other foods along with those that are milk-based.
- Choose hard or aged cheeses, like cheddar or Swiss. They contain less lactose than other cheeses.
- Choose yogurt with active cultures. These active cultures contain enzymes that digest lactose on their own.
- Use lactose-free milk and supplements, which make lactose easier to digest.
More information
For details about lactose intolerance, visit the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
