Health Tips for January 7

Health Tip: Signs of Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest a type of sugar in milk called lactose. It's a common condition, affecting some 30 million adults in the United States by age 20, the National Library of Medicine says. The agency offers this list of possible warning signs: Bloating in the belly. Cramping in the abdomen. Nausea or diarrhea. Stools that float or have a foul odor. Gas. Malnutrition. Slow growth. Losing weight. Health Tip: The Lactose-Intolerant Diet If you're lactose-intolerant, you can eliminate all dairy products from your diet, but then you might be concerned about getting enough calcium. Some people can tolerate small amounts of dairy without symptoms. The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these milk products that may be easier to digest among people with lactose intolerance: Soy milk (soy formulas for young babies), assuming there are no allergies to soy. Dairy products that are lactose-free. Lactase-treated milk. Milkshakes and ice cream. Hard or aged cheeses. Goat's milk. Buttermilk. Yogurt and other fermented-milk products.