The milk sugar dilemma

Abstract: Accumulating evidence has shown that a large fraction of the world's adult population may be lactose intolerant - the inability to effectively digest the milk sugar, lactose. The problem, frequently overlooked, commonly misdiagnosed and underestimated because it is rarely a nutritional problem, produces such symptoms as diarrhea, flatulence and cramps. The people who actually tolerate lactose are considered to be the unusual ones. It is the intention of this text to explain lactose intolerance in non-medical terms, to familiarize the afflicted with its dietary management, and to be used by professionals in counseling patients. Discussions of what lactose intolerance is, how digestion functions, achieving good nutrition without lactose, lactose-rest ricted diets, food shopping, eating out, lactose-free products, and recipes are topics addressed. A glossary of terms, RDA's, tables of food nutrient contents/lactose content, recipe sources, and references are included.