(Phytochemicals in) Foods to Prevent and Treat diseases - Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition of  the inability of the digestive system to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

Types of foods to prevent and treat Lactose intolerance
1.  Probiotic
In the study to evaluate the efficacy of some probiotic strains for the management of lactose intolerance, indicated that our-week consumption of a probiotic combination of L casei Shirota and B breve Yakult seems to improve symptoms and decrease hydrogen production intake in lactose-intolerant patients. These effects may persist for at least 3 months after suspension of probiotic consumption(1). Other suggested that in lactose intolerants, tilactase strongly improves both lactose intolerant (LBT) results and gastrointestinal symptoms after lactose ingestion with respect to placebo. Lactobacillus reuteri also is effective but lesser than tilactase. This probiotic may represent an interesting treatment option for lactose intolerance since its use is simple and its effect may last in the time after stopping administration(1a).

2. Cereals and yogurt 
In the study of Efficacy of traditional rice-lentil-yogurt diet, lactose free milk protein-based formula and soy protein formula in management of secondary lactose intolerance with acute childhood diarrhoea, Dr. Nizami SQ, and the researchers team at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, showed that No significant difference was observed in intake of diet, total calories intake, and fluid intake among the three groups. It is concluded that cheap weaning diet made of locally available cereals and yogurt can be used effectively in management of secondary lactose intolerance associated with acute childhood diarrhoea(2).

3. 12 g of lactose
There is a sufficient evidence that 12 g of lactose is tolerated by most adults with lactose malabsorption and intolerance. In the study of Randomized, controlled trials of individuals with lactose intolerance or malabsorption, Dr. Shaukat A, and scientists at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center showed that most individuals with presumed lactose intolerance or malabsorption can tolerate 12 to 15 g of lactose. Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of lactose intolerance treatment(3).

4.  Soy-based infant formulas containing isoflavones for Lactose intolerance infants
Modern soy formulas meet all nutritional requirements and safety standards of the Infant Formula Act of 1980. They are commonly used in infants with immunoglobulin E-mediated cow's milk allergy (at least 86% effective), lactose intolerance, galactosemia, and as a vegetarian human milk substitute. Largely as a result of research in animal models, concerns have been voiced regarding isoflavones in soy infant formulas in relation to nutritional adequacy, sexual development, neurobehavioral development, immune function, and thyroid disease, according to the study of Safety of soy-based infant formulas containing isoflavones: the clinical evidence(4)

5. Etc.




Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22402407
(1a) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20391953 
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8699577
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20404262
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15113975