Foods with hidden lactose

26th February 2024

Many

Foods with hidden lactose

Isn’t it interesting what we put off when it comes to our health? It’s almost become an inside joke that Googling health symptoms often leads to overblown conclusions. The same reluctance applies to visiting the doctor. Long wait times and the difficulty of taking time off work are deterrents. Plus, sometimes, we don’t want to face potentially bad news. In fact, two-thirds of Brits delay doctor visits due to fear of receiving bad news. Instead, they try self-soothing with home remedies or embark on elimination diets based on guesswork.

Lactose intolerance is often self-managed without a proper diagnosis and plan. The challenge is that avoiding lactose is more complex than just steering clear of traditional dairy products. Lesser-known sources of lactose can inadvertently sneak into the diet, undermining these efforts.

The health concerns of sneaky lactose

Persistently consuming lactose when you’re intolerant can worsen symptoms and negatively impact your well-being. Severe diarrhoea can lead to significant health problems, including nutritional deficiencies, unintended weight loss, and even anaemia.

These symptoms can also cause dehydration. In severe cases, acute kidney injury is due to insufficient fluid absorption. Moreover, relying solely on dairy products for calcium intake can be risky for those with lactose intolerance. Calcium is crucial for healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis, so it’s vital to include alternative calcium sources, such as calcium-rich plant-based foods and fortified products, in your diet.

Hidden lactose

If you’re actively avoiding lactose, here are some foods with hidden lactose to watch out for:

• Bread and baked goods: Many store-bought breads, pastries, and baked goods contain milk powder, whey, or butter, adding lactose to these products.
• Cereal: Many brands coat their breakfast cereals with milk or contain milk-based additives.
• Processed meats: Deli slices, sausages, and hot dogs may contain lactose as a binder or flavour enhancer.
• Soup: Tomato- or vegetable-based instant soups and mixes can have milk powder or cream for thickening or flavour.
• Crisps: Flavoured crisps and similar snacks often use milk or cheese powder for seasoning.
• Cooking kits and seasoning sachets: With the rise of convenient cooking solutions, many ready-to-use kits and sachets contain milk. For instance, the Maggi So Juicy range’s Sweet and Sticky BBQ mix includes milk.
• Medications and supplements: Some prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as dietary supplements, may use lactose as a filler or binding agent. With a diagnosis, your doctor knows to prescribe medication suitable for you. Without it, it’s challenging to know whether or not your medications and supplements are lactose-free.

Do you suspect you’re lactose intolerant? 

Navigating a lactose-free diet can be tricky. Especially due to lactose’s unexpected presence in various foods. Being vigilant about reading labels and understanding ingredients is key. But there’s more to it. Lactose intolerance needn’t be daunting, but it can lead to underlying health issues if undetected. To be safe, getting an allergy test is a wise step for definitive answers.

If you’re nervous about having a test for suspected lactose intolerance, rest assured you’re in safe hands. Reacting adversely to lactose isn’t something you need to face by yourself. Register as a new patient today, and let’s start the process of helping you feel better. You have the option to visit our London-based allergy clinic for a comprehensive evaluation by our specialists or take advantage of our home allergy test.

Lactose intolerance vs. Cow’s milk allergy: is there a difference?

15th February 2024

Lactose intolerance vs. Cow’s milk allergy: is there a difference?

Picture this: It’s Tuesday Night; you’re walking home after your friend has invited you as a guest to their monthly Homage2Fromage cheese night. You’d had a brilliant time, but you’re feeling rough, and it’s a race to get the key in the door to get some relief. You hate to admit to yourself that it was the cheese, but it’s not the first time this has happened, and it’s time to do something about it. But what really is the underlying cause? Is it lactose intolerance or a cow’s milk allergy? Are they the same thing? 

Actually, no. There are undoubtedly similarities. Both conditions involve dairy products. However, it’s essential to understand that they are distinct issues with different causes, symptoms, and management strategies. 

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a digestive condition where the body lacks enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This deficiency leads to difficulties in digesting lactose, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms. Typically, you might feel bloated, sick, and gassy and have an uncomfortable relationship with the toilet. It’s generally after eating or drinking something containing lactose that puts you in a tailspin. 

What is cow’s milk allergy?

Cow’s milk allergy (CMA), on the other hand, is an immune system reaction to one or more proteins found in cow’s milk. It is one of the most common food allergies in infants and young children, though some outgrow it by adulthood. For those adults who don’t grow out of a cow’s milk allergy, the results are typically more severe. The body’s immune system mistakenly identifies milk proteins as harmful, triggering an allergic response. While both demonstrate gastrointestinal symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps, symptoms of CMA can be more extreme and concerning:

• Skin reactions (hives, rash, eczema)
• Respiratory problems (wheezing, nasal congestion, coughing)
• In severe cases, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction)

Critical differences between lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy

As well as different causes and symptoms, there are a few key separators between the two. Lactose intolerance commonly develops in adulthood, while cow’s milk allergy typically appears in infancy or early childhood. Cow’s milk allergy can cause more severe and potentially life-threatening reactions compared to lactose intolerance. They have different management needs, too. Lactose intolerance is managed by reducing or eliminating lactose from the diet, using lactase supplements, or choosing lactose-free products. Cow’s milk allergy requires strict avoidance of cow’s milk and all dairy products, and in some cases, carrying an epi-pen, just in case. 

What do you do if you suspect CMA or lactose intolerance?

While lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy both involve reactions to dairy products, they are fundamentally different conditions. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper diagnosis, management, and treatment. If you suspect you or one of your loved ones has lactose intolerance or a cow’s milk allergy, it’s a good idea to get a test to get to the bottom of the issue. With the right knowledge and approach, both conditions can be successfully managed for a healthy, comfortable life.

Reacting adversely to dairy doesn’t need to feel scary. If you’re worried you might have lactose intolerance or a cow’s milk allergy, it’s time to do something about it. Register as a new patient today, and let’s start the process of helping you feel better. You have the option to visit our London-based allergy clinic for a comprehensive evaluation by our specialists or take advantage of our home allergy test.

What do you do when you suspect you’re lactose intolerant? 

5th February 2024

What do you do when you suspect you’re lactose intolerant? 

Did you know that as a country, we are the fourth largest consumer of cheese in the world? 

In 2023 alone, the UK consumed 780 thousand metric tons of cheese. Overshadowed only by the US, Russia, and Brazil, our nation stands its ground in average consumption per person, considering our humbler population size. 

In fact, our love extends beyond cheese to all dairy products. Yet, it’s estimated that at least 8% of our population is lactose intolerant. Do you feel discomfort after consuming dairy products? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves grappling with symptoms that may indicate lactose intolerance.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a condition that occurs when your body is unable to properly digest lactose, a type of sugar present in milk and dairy products. The root cause of this inability is a deficiency in lactase, an enzyme usually produced by the small intestine. Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into glucose and galactose, which are simpler sugars that the body can easily absorb. When there is insufficient lactase, lactose remains undigested in the digestive system. This undigested lactose can lead to various symptoms, often causing discomfort for those with the condition.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

A strong indicator that you may be suffering from lactose intolerance is the onset of specific symptoms within a few hours after consuming foods or drinks that contain lactose. These symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea

How lactose shows up in dairy products

It’s important to know that not all dairy products are created equal when it comes to lactose content. This is critical because the varying lactose content in dairy products might lead you to second-guess your symptoms, as not all dairy causes discomfort equally. 

Milk

Regular cow’s milk has the highest lactose content, typically ranging from 4-5%. The lactose level varies slightly between whole, skim, and low-fat milk, but all types can trigger symptoms in individuals with lactose intolerance.

Cheese

Cheese generally contains less lactose than milk. Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan, Cheddar, and Swiss are especially low in lactose, often containing less than 1%. In contrast, soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert have more lactose than hard cheeses but still less than milk.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is often more tolerable for those with lactose intolerance because it contains live bacteria that aid in lactose digestion. The lactose content in yoghurt varies, with Greek yoghurt typically having less lactose due to its straining process, which removes some of the lactose.

Butter

Butter has very low lactose content, as it is primarily composed of fat with minimal milk solids. This makes it a more tolerable option for many people with lactose intolerance.

Ice cream and processed dairy

Ice cream, particularly high-quality varieties, often has added milk solids, which increase its lactose content. Processed dairy products can also contain varying levels of lactose.

What do you do if you suspect lactose intolerance?

If you suspect that you may be lactose intolerant, it’s essential to approach the situation with care. Self-diagnosing lactose intolerance is not advisable, as its symptoms can overlap with other digestive issues, which might require different treatment. Moreover, trying to navigate this condition alone can be overwhelming and confusing.

To eliminate any uncertainty, the most effective first step is to take a lactose intolerance test. This test can help determine whether lactose is the root cause of your discomfort or if another issue is at play. Recognising that lactose intolerance is a manageable condition with the proper knowledge and strategies is key. Understanding how different dairy products affect you and recognising the symptoms are crucial steps in managing this condition.

Once you have a clear diagnosis, you can adopt a comfortable, lactose-free lifestyle more confidently. There are numerous lactose-free or low-lactose alternatives available, allowing you to enjoy many of your favourite foods without discomfort.

Navigating lactose intolerance can seem daunting, but remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Don’t hesitate to take the following steps towards better health. Register as a new patient today, and let’s start the process of helping you feel better. You have the option to visit our London-based allergy clinic for a comprehensive evaluation by our specialists or take advantage of our home allergy test.

The difference between cow’s milk allergy and lactose intolerance

11th February 2019

The difference between cow’s milk allergy and lactose intolerance

Dairy products are a staple in many people’s diet throughout the world. Sadly, many of us suffer adverse effects when we consume something like milk, cheese, or yoghurt. An allergy to cow’s milk is rare in adults but relatively common in babies and young children. Around one in fifty infants suffer from milk allergies with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. However, the majority of children outgrow their allergy by the time they’re 16.

Things can get confusing though as many people have physical reactions to milk that aren’t due to an allergy. You will have heard of it before – lactose intolerance. The symptoms can be similar to milk allergies, but the causes are very different.

Milk allergies

With a milk allergy, two proteins found in milk (whey and casein) cause an immune system reaction. Symptoms of this reaction can range from mild (skin rashes, vomiting, and a swollen tongue) to severe (difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis).

If symptoms appear immediately after your child has some cow’s milk, the allergy may be easier to diagnose. However, just because they don’t appear immediately doesn’t rule out a milk allergy. There are two types of milk allergy, which can occur minutes, hours or even days after consumption. It tends to affect infants who are just starting to have cow’s milk. It is slightly rarer in breast-fed infants, as some of the proteins are passed through the mother.

Lactose intolerance

Unlike milk allergies in children, lactose intolerance is a condition that cannot be outgrown. The digestive system cannot digest lactose because the body stops producing lactase enzymes.

Normally, these digestive enzymes break down the sugar lactose in the digestive tract. But when it can’t, it can cause unpleasant symptoms that affect the digestive system such as abdominal bloating, pain and cramps, nausea and diarrhoea. Unlike a milk allergy, the reaction is never fatal.

It’s important that if you or your child are showing signs of a milk allergy or lactose intolerance that you visit a health professional. To ease your mind, allergy tests can determine whether you or your child are allergic or lactose intolerant. You can then start to take the necessary steps to prevent future reactions.

Here at the London Allergy & Immunology Centre, this is our speciality. Don’t suffer in silence – find out what’s affecting you. To arrange an allergy test, book an appointment with one of our consultants today.