Lactose intolerance happens when the body doesn’t make the enzyme lactase, which helps break down lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products. 

This is what causes people with lactose intolerance to experience bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products. In this blog post, we'll dive into what causes lactose intolerance and how to manage it after bariatric surgery.

Understanding Lactose Intolerance: What Is It?

If you experience gut issues after consuming dairy products, you may have lactose intolerance. It's a common condition where the body cannot fully digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. 

This is caused by not having the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down lactose in the small intestine. Lactose intolerance is not harmful, but it can be uncomfortable and cause bloating, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain. 

Why Does Lactose Intolerance Develop After Bariatric Surgery?

After bariatric surgery, some patients may experience lactose intolerance. This can occur because the surgery changes the gastrointestinal tract (intestines), which affects your body's ability to digest foods normally. 

During gastric bypass surgery, the amount of digestive enzymes decreases, leading to problems breaking down lactose and the body can generally produce less lactase in your intestine, making it more difficult for the body to absorb lactose. 

Additionally, after surgery, some patients cannot tolerate dairy products as they did before because the surgery can cause changes in the gut bacteria. Taking a probiotic can help keep your gut bacteria healthy. Check out our article on Probiotics for more information.

If you develop lactose intolerance after bariatric surgery, there are lactase supplements and dairy alternatives available to help manage the condition.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance: Bloating, Diarrhea, Gas, and Pain

Now that you understand what lactose intolerance is and what causes it, let's talk about the symptoms. You may experience bloating, diarrhea, gas, and pain after consuming dairy products, which contain lactose. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe cramping and can occur anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption. 

It's important to note that these symptoms are not the same as a food allergy to milk. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it may be helpful to keep a food diary and talk to your doctor about potential lactose intolerance. 

Luckily, there are options for managing these symptoms, such as lactase supplements and dairy free alternatives.

Common Dairy Products that Contain Lactose

Cow's milk and goat's milk are common culprits, but don't forget about ice cream, yogurt, cheese, and kefir. Keep in mind that some dairy products like hard cheeses, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese have lower levels of lactose. So you might tolerate these products just find, but need to avoid liquid milk and ice cream.

Treatment for Lactose Intolerance: Lactase Supplements and Dairy Free Alternatives

Avoiding lactose-containing foods is the number one way to manage your symptoms, but it can be hard to eliminate dairy completely. 

Luckily, lactase supplements can help your body digest dairy and reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and pain. You can find lactase supplements in tablets and drops.

Additionally, you can choose from a variety of dairy-free alternatives like Fairlife milk, unsweetened almond milk, cheese, and Greek yogurt. When it comes to protein supplements, lactose-free options are available too.

Lactose Free Protein Supplement Options

When you're lactose intolerant, finding a protein supplement that doesn't make you feel bloated or cause gut issues can be a challenge. But fear not - there are plenty of lactose-free protein supplement options available. 

Opt for plant-based protein powders like rice, pea, and hemp, which are dairy-free and a great source of protein. If you prefer animal-based protein, consider a lactose free option or egg white powders, which contain little to no lactose. Take a look at our blog post on protein supplements for more information.