Lactose intolerance

Good day, Mr. Pharmacist,

It seems to me that the common denominator of lactose intolerance and celiac disease is a disrupted gut microbiome, possibly coupled with the development of leaky gut syndrome. You mention that these problems are less common in breastfed children, as they have a higher chance to develop a healthy microbiome thanks to breast milk. I have personally experienced after severe stress (and certainly not a very healthy diet) the development of lactose intolerance and a casein allergy, which significantly diminished after modifying my diet (eliminating sugar, milk, gluten, and highly processed foods) for about 2 months to the point that I can occasionally enjoy a dairy product without any of the unpleasant symptoms that bothered me before. Is it possible, then, that these issues (especially if they develop in adulthood) can be alleviated/treated by changing one's diet, specifically by focusing on restoring a healthy gut microbiome? Perhaps I am oversimplifying my perspective, and I would appreciate your insight and response.

Kind regards and best wishes for a nice day.

The situation you describe occurs quite frequently in practice. Moreover, nutritional trends and health forecasts for the population indicate that the numbers will increase in the future. When addressing health issues, it always depends on the underlying cause, which then determines the targeted treatment. Damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine due to an unsuitable diet or stress-related manifestations leads to decreased production of certain enzymes, and the digestive tract thus fails to manage some functions fully. However, once you address the issue and establish the necessary conditions, the probability of restoring the situation to its original state significantly increases. In relation to humility towards one's body and its functioning, it is reasonable to acknowledge that it is not a certainty, but "only" an increased probability.
The intestinal microbiome plays a significant role in these problems, so in addition to dietary adjustments, it also makes sense to target supportive supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics.

Hello,
I am interested in how to supplement calcium with lactose intolerance if a person will not consume dairy products at all. Is it possible to obtain enough calcium from the diet, or is supplementation necessary?
Thank you for your response.

Even though animal dairy products are presented as the most efficient source of calcium, they are by no means the only one. Significant amounts of this element can be found in many other foods - most notably in bones (using bone broths), with nuts and seeds being very rich sources as well, and in smaller amounts in meat, eggs, and certain types of vegetables. In the educational application ZOF, you have the opportunity to sort foods in various categories based on the content of selected nutrients, which can certainly be useful when creating meal plans.