The Italian Lacto-Intolerant Association estimates that about 50% of the Italian population is lactose intolerant. The incidence of intolerance varies greatly between regions: there are less intolerant in the center and in the north. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and that humans can digest thanks to lactase.
Lactose intolerant people do not have theenzyme of lactase and therefore cannot separate this milk sugar in two. Undigested lactose causes annoying problems that can be of different degrees. If the intolerance is slight it is difficult to notice the symptoms. On the other hand, in the event of serious intolerances, it is almost impossible not to notice. But how do you know if you are lactose intolerant?
Symptoms of intolerance
Failure to digest lactose can create problems not only for the digestive system. In fact, the whole body is involved. In fact, the symptoms are very varied. If it is a serious intolerance, the individual accuses one or more symptoms starting from thirty minutes after the meal. Warning: Symptoms can also appear later, usually up to four hours after eating lactose-containing foods. Here are the symptoms of lactose intolerance:
a) Abdominal pain
b) Diarrhea
c) Flatulence
d) Abdominal swelling
e) Constipation
f) Nausea
g) Acne
h) Tiredness
i) Headache
If we regularly experience these symptoms, it is necessary to perform some tests to understand if you are really lactose intolerant.
How to know if you are lactose intolerant?
The most widespread and effective test now is the so-called “H2-Breath Test”. First, the patient is given 20 to 50 grams of lactose. Then, he is asked to blow into a pouch at regular intervals: every half hour for three to four hours. By analyzing the amount of hydrogen present in the bags it will be possible to understand if the patient is lactose intolerant or not.
If you find that you are lactose intolerant, don’t worry. It must be borne in mind that one should not totally deprive oneself of cheeses: not all of them contain lactose. For example, Parmigiano Reggiano is naturally lactose-free and can therefore be part of the diet. In addition, nowadays there are many lactose-free alternatives that allow you to not change your diet much.
