According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant. Research suggests that lactose intolerance is more common among African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. There is no treatment to improve the body's ability to produce lactase, but symptoms can be controlled through diet. Define lactose and identify a food product that contains lactose. Lactose is found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down or digest lactose.
The condition is caused by a deficiency of the lactase enzyme and causes abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. The most common way to diagnose lactose intolerance is to use the breath hydrogen test, lactose intolerance test, or stool acidity test. No treatment exists to improve the body's ability to produce lactase, but several dietary treatments can help control symptoms. Lactose-reduced dairy products, lactase enzyme tablets and drops, and yogurt containing active cultures are all effective treatments. Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant.