Should Lactose intolerant people drink milk?

Question

I understand the fact that they are unable to digest the lactose found in milk and that in by consuming milk, they get stomach pains and other ailments. But if they drink milk, do they still gain the benefits of the protein and calcium? Surely if the lactose in the milk is the only indigestible product then they can digest the rest... Or can lactose intolerant people not gain any of the nutritional benefits at all?

I found no information about this. Are lactose intolerant people told to stay away from dairy because of the ailments associated or because consuming them would be a waste of time and energy.

Answer 1

They can drink Lacttose Free milk for their own comfort

Answer 2

Lactose intolerant infants can not tolerate milk and if they are given milk, they get diarrhea and nausea from it. If it is not recognized as a milk allergy and mistaken for flu they can go on to have sever bowl damage for life from the milk. This happened to my oldest child. It took three months and three different hospitals before the doctors realized she was lactose intolerant and by this time all she could tolerate was predigested soy formula. Fortunately she thrived on it. With out it she could not have survived. Everything went in one end and out the other, like a toy doll. Predigested soy is a horrible looking gray colored formula, but to me it was heaven sent. From there we switched to regular soy formula. When she was a little over a year we introduced a bit of cottage cheese. She can now tolerate a minimal amount of regular dairy but still has to watch how much she consumes. All my children after, were only given soy milk as infants. Now with all the new formulas for lactose intolerant people we have it made. Regular dairy isn't an issue any more.

Answer 3

They make milk now that doesn't have lactose in it, so lactose intolerant people can drink that. But yeah, I imagine the body would have a hard time digesting the protein and calcium in milk if it is so severe as to leat to diahrera, getting rid of the milk before the body can digest it.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about this but it's called Co Enzyme Q10. Can't say whether it will help with digestion of lactose but it's probably worth the look
At the same website there's a multivitamin pack that contains a chelated enzyme. The enzyme delivery system MAY help. Please read and make your own analysis.
http://achiever.vitamark.com/shopping/display.asp?code=124
and
http://achiever.vitamark.com/shopping/display.asp?code=101

Answer 5

Lactose intolerant people can really experience discomfort when trying milk.
Soy milk is a good alternative.

Answer 6

Get the lactose free milk. I never tried any before I started dating this gall that drank it. It's no different than whole milk, and you can get reduced fat (1% and 2%). Anyone whose tries to tell you not to drink milk is ill. Milk makes the world go 'round.

Makes great chocolate milk, too.

Answer 7

most lactose intolerante people i know do drink milk. but they drink lactose free milk.

there really is no point drinking milk that makes you sick just for nutrition. weigh up the pros and cons.

nowdays there are many foods and drinks, including milk that are lactose free and still provide all the nutrients needed.

Answer 8

Try Lactade. You can get anywhere. 1 or 2 of these and dairy land is yours to enjoy again.

Answer 9

human adults don't need milk.

you can get plenty of calcium from vegetables that is just as biological available as that from dairy. and protein can be derived from eggs, meat/poultry, fish/seafood, grains, nuts/seeds.

Answer 10

ser