Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is the sugar found naturally in milk. Lactose is digested in the body by an enzyme called lactase and then used for energy.

When a person has insufficient lactase to breakdown all of the lactose they have eaten, they are said to have lactose maldigestion. This can result in symptoms of intolerance such as bloating, abdominal pain or diarrhoea. However, lactose maldigestion does not necessarily result in lactose intolerance. Most people with lactose maldigestion can consume at least some lactose containing foods without experiencing symptoms of intolerance. 

For further information on lactose intolerance and getting your 3 serves of dairy every day download Dairy Australia's Lactose Intolerance fact sheet.