Lactose intolerance
A short, plain-language overview of symptoms, causes, and diet tips.
Not medical advice: tolerance is individual, and diagnosis is a medical task.
Symptoms
Lactase enzyme
In short
- Lactose is milk sugar; lactase helps break it down.
- Low lactase activity can make lactose harder to digest.
- Tolerance is individual: amount, combinations, and timing matter.
Common symptoms
- Bloating, abdominal discomfort, fullness.
- Gas, abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea or loose stools.
Common lactose sources
- Milk, cream, fresh cheeses, milk-based desserts.
- Hidden sources: milk powder, whey, dairy ingredients.
- Fermented or aged products often contain less lactose.
What to try
- Lactose-free products or smaller portions.
- Fermented dairy based on individual tolerance.
- Read labels for milk powder, whey, and dairy ingredients.
Lactase enzyme, in short
Lactase can help digest lactose for people who have difficulty with it. Dosing is individual.
Related tools
- Lactose table and calculator
- Lactose spectrum – practical overview.