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ARWhy am i suddenly lactose intolerant?
Quick answer: Sudden lactose intolerance is usually the result of damage to your small intestine. Often caused by underlying health conditions such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or gastritis. Common signs include nausea, vomiting, belly pain and cramping, bloating, flatulence, and constipation (1). Foods high in lactose are primarily dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and ice cream.
Written and reviewed by Anouk Martini (registered dietician)
What causes lactose intolerance all of a sudden?
The sudden inability to digest lactose often stems from damage or changes to the small intestine, where the enzyme lactase is produced. Conditions such as gastrointestinal infections, Crohn’s disease, or celiac disease can impair the intestinal lining, reducing lactase production. Similarly, prolonged periods of dairy avoidance may lead to decreased lactase activity, making it seem like lactose intolerance has appeared overnight. This is also called secundary lactose intolerance alongside other types of lactose intolerance (1).
Aging can also play a role, as natural lactase levels decline over time. Stress or significant dietary changes may exacerbate symptoms, leading individuals to believe they’ve developed lactose intolerance all of a sudden.
How do i manage sudden lactose intolerance?
If you suspect lactose intolerance, consult a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions. In the meantime, try these strategies:
- Opt for lactose-free or plant-based alternatives.
- Use lactase enzyme supplements to aid digestion (2).
- Reintroduce dairy slowly to assess tolerance levels.
By understanding the potential causes and exploring lactose-free solutions, you can regain control over your diet. While sudden lactose intolerance can be inconvenient, with proper management, it’s possible to maintain a nutritious and enjoyable lifestyle.
if you suspect lactose intolerance but are not yet certain, take the intolerance test. The intolerance test can give you useful insights and tips when dealing with a food intolerance.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar) in your small intestine into substances your body can absorb. We offer lactase enzyme supplements in different forms and strengths. In lactose intolerance, your body produces too little Lactase, so lactose ends up undigested in the large intestine, and that causes symptoms like bloating and gas.
A Lactase supplement helps your body properly digest lactose after all. Research shows this can reduce symptoms in people with lactose intolerance.
Lactase works very specifically: the enzyme only breaks down lactose and has no other function in the body. Because of this, side effects are not expected.
The Lactase enzyme is active for about 30 to 45 minutes. If you want to eat something containing lactose after that, take a new tablet or capsule. This is because the enzyme has already moved further along in your digestion and can no longer mix properly with the new lactose you consume.
Literature
- Misselwitz B, Butter M, Verbeke K, Fox MR. Update on lactose malabsorption and intolerance: pathogenesis, diagnosis and clinical management. Gut. 2019 Nov;68(11):2080-2091. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318404. Epub 2019 Aug 19. PMID: 31427404; PMCID: PMC6839734.
- Baijal R, Tandon RK. Effect of lactase on symptoms and hydrogen breath levels in lactose intolerance: A crossover placebo-controlled study. JGH Open. 2020 Dec 1;5(1):143-148. doi: 10.1002/jgh3.12463. PMID: 33490624; PMCID: PMC7812489.
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