Lactose is a sugar and is sometimes used as a sweetener in foods. Milk products containing lactose are also used as food enhancing agents. Regardless of the source of lactose in a person's diet, the effects are the same on a lactose intolerant individual. While most dairy products containing significant percentages of lactose cause LI, some high lactose dairy foods seem not to. Even though some yogurts have a significant effect on lactose digestion, others have little or none.
Cheese products vary widely in their acceptability to lactose intolerant people.
Like milk and yogurt products, the preparation and manufacturing processes used on cheese can drastically affect the ability of lactose intolerant people to consume these products. The variation among yogurts alone shows the difficulty for the food industry in preparing and manufacturing foods for lactose intolerant people as well as for the individual in choosing appropriate foods. Lactose intolerant people have options available besides the reduction of or complete abstinence from products containing lactose. Specially prepared products are becoming available with reduced lactose levels. Sometimes drugs to fight the symptoms of LI directly, such anti- diarrhea medications are effective.