Kids Ask: What Does Lactose Intolerant Mean?

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, July 30 and November 19, 2006

Show 320

Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy foods and drinks. Intolerance means you can't handle something or you are sensitive to it. So lactose intolerance means someone can't handle eating dairy. Our bodies have substances called enzymes. The lactase enzyme breaks down lactose sugar so our body can absorb it and turn it into energy. Someone who is lactose intolerant doesn't have enough of the lactase enzyme making it hard to digest. So eating dairy might make them feel bloated or crampy, or even gassy. If you're lactose intolerant, you might start to feel sick two hours after eating dairy. But this doesn't mean you can never eat ice cream again. Grocery stores sell lactose free milk and foods. There are also products you can buy at the drugstore to help you digest your dairy better.