Lactose

What is lactose?

Lactose is a particular type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products, among other things. This is why lactose is also called ‘milk sugar’. Lactose is broken down in the small intestine. There, the lactase enzyme splits lactose into glucose and galactose so that the intestinal wall can absorb it. When too little of the lactase enzyme is present, lactose cannot be split so it cannot be absorbed in the small intestine.

If lactose is not properly digested, it enters the large intestine. In the large intestine, lactose is fermented, which involves the release of gas and the attraction of fluid, among other things.

Lactose may be a risk factor in some people for the development of gas in the intestines.

Which foods contain lactose?

Besides milk, lactose is also found in several other foods. Below are the most common lactose-containing products. Not every product contains the same amount of lactose.

• Milk and milk products such as yogurt, custard, and quark
• Cheese (especially the fresh types of cheese such as cream cheese and cottage cheese)
• Biscuits and cake
• Ice cream and milkshakes
• Whipped cream and other types of cream
• Butter

There are many other products that contain lactose, but often in small quantities. There are also certain medications that contain lactose.

Please note that even ‘lactose-free’ (dairy) products often still contain a small amount of lactose.

How do you deal with lactose?

If lactose poses a risk of forming gas in your intestines, there are fortunately a number of things you can do about this. For instance, one of the things you can do is adjust your diet.

Below you can read about the different ways you can deal with lactose. You can also do a intolerance test.

Make adjustments to your diet

By limiting the use of foods rich in lactose, you can reduce the risk of gas forming in the intestines. How much lactose poses a risk of forming gas in the intestines can vary from person to person.

Finding out which foods pose a risk for you is often quite a quest. If you get to know your body, you will eventually know which foods pose a risk of gas formation for you. If you find this difficult, a dietician can help.

Inspiration for lactose-free recipes? On our recipe page, you will find, for example, recipes for lactose-free donuts, cake, American pancakes, or even créme brulée!

Digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes play an important role in digestion. The enzyme Lactase helps digest lactose and reduces the risk of gas formation, in people who have difficulty digesting lactose.