Lactose intolerance: what is a correct management?

Abstract

SUMMARY Individuals with Lactose Intolerance (LI) tend to exclude milk from their diet since this behavior seems to relieve the symptoms caused by the disease. However, milk is a food of high nutritional value, and complete exclusion of dairy products may favor the development of bone diseases such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. The objective of this review was to evaluate the scientific evidence on the adequate management of patients with LI. This study was carried out from the review of the scientific literature in PubMed and SciELO databases. Complete exclusion of conventional dairy products is not necessary since most individuals with LI can tolerate up to 12 grams of lactose daily in a single dose. Yogurts and cheeses matured for having low amounts of lactose are part of the strategy that allows consumption of dairy products by patients with LI. Currently, there is a diversity of products considered as “milk substitutes” and supplements aimed at individuals with LI. However, these strategies still require better-designed studies.