Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, the predominant sugar of milk. This inability results from a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks down the lactose, milk sugar, into glucose and galactose that can then be absorbed into the bloodstream. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, produce some uncomfortable symptoms. Some adults and infants have low levels of lactase. This leads to lactose intolerance. The ingested lactose is not absorbed in the small intestine, but instead is fermented by bacteria in the large intestine, producing uncomfortable volumes of carbon dioxide gas. While not all persons deficient in lactase have symptoms, those who do are considered to be lactose intolerant.


Common symptoms include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, which begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose each individual can tolerate.


Lactose intolerance can begin at different ages. Infants are not usually affected, but lactose intolerance can affect children as young as 2. It is very common in adults. One way to treat lactose intolerance is to avoid milk products. However, this can result in a lack of important nutrients and vitamins such as calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and protein. Some people use lactose-free milk or milk substitutes such as soy or rice milk. Most people with low lactase enzyme levels can tolerate small amounts of milk products at one time (2-4 ounces) and get symptoms only with larger servings (6 ounces or more). Taking lactase enzyme with milk products as directed can help prevent upset stomach, abdominal bloating/cramping, gas, and diarrhea caused by these products.


A condition called bacterial overgrowth, in which the small bowel contains more bacteria than normal, can also cause symptoms of sensitivity to lactose in the diet. In this case, the bacteria break down lactose in the small bowel, releasing gas in the process. The gas can cause bloating, cramping and flatulence, and bacterial overgrowth can also cause diarrhea. In this case, the problem is not caused by a lack of the enzyme lactase.


Fortunately, lactose intolerance is relatively easy to treat by controlling the diet. No permanent cure or treatment exists. Fortunately, there are supplements to help improve the body's ability to break down lactose. When taking these pills with foods that contain lactose they may not experience any of the lactose intolerance symptoms. Young children with lactase deficiency should not eat any foods containing lactose. Most older children and adults need not avoid lactose completely, but individuals differ in the amounts and types of foods they can handle. Dietary control of lactose intolerance depends on each person's learning through trial and error how much lactose he or she can handle.


The enzyme needed to digest lactose, lactase, reaches its highest levels in the small intestines after birth and then begins a slow decline unless milk is consumed regularly. As you age, you are more likely to lose the ability to break down lactose. Most mammals lose the ability to digest lactose as they get older. As a general rule, humans maintain a 10 percent capacity to produce lactase. This is normally enough to allow humans to digest milk and dairy products. Some people, however, do not retain this 10 percent, so they cannot consume any fresh milk and milk products at all throughout their adult lives unless they combine these foods with lactase supplements.


Most children or adults who are diagnosed with lactose intolerance can digest small amounts of lactose. Generally, 8-10gm of lactose won't cause symptoms.


Causes of Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance usually is genetic (inherited). In many people of African or Asian descent, the body begins making less lactase around age 5. As many as 90% of people from some areas of Eastern Asia, 80% of American Indians, 65% of Africans and African-Americans, and 50% of Hispanics have some degree of lactose intolerance. In contrast, most Caucasians (80%) have a gene that preserves the ability to produce lactase into adulthood.


Sometimes lactose intolerance is confused with other digestive problems, such as a food allergy or lactose overload. This is because these conditions have similar symptoms. Food allergies and lactose overload aren't the same as lactose intolerance, and don't affect a baby's production of lactase.


Types of Lactose Intolerance

Lactase deficiency has a number of causes, and is therefore classified as one of three types:


Primary

Primary lactase intolerance is genetic disorder. It usually affects only adults. It is the most common lactase deficiency and affects around 75% of the world's population. It refers to those persons who do not produce enough lactase after weaning. This type is also called Late Onset Lactase Deficiency or Adult Lactase Deficiency. However, another type of Primary Lactase Deficiency, not talked about very much is present in premature babies whose underdeveloped small intestines are not mature to produce enough lactase.


Secondary

Secondary lactase intolerance and can occur if a person's digestive system is disrupted by illness, affecting healthy production of enzymes like lactase, or if there's not enough lactase being produced. Difficulty digesting lactose also can be caused by several gastrointestinal disorders. Viral or bacterial gastroenteritis (also known as gastric flu, stomach flu, stomach virus, stomach/tummy bugs) and other diseases, such as celiac sprue, can destroy the lactase-producing cells that line the small bowel.


Gastroenteritis can cause temporary irritation to the lining of the stomach and small intestine, but this will usually clear up:



Secondary lactose intolerance caused by not enough lactase being produced usually develops after the age of three. Some people are more likely to develop it than others. For example, people from a Northern European background are generally less likely to develop it. Indigenous Australians and people from Asia and Africa are more likely to get it.


The following is a list of intestinal diseases that may cause a secondary type lactase deficiency:



Congenital

Congenital lactase intolerance is a very rare, autosomal recessive genetic disorder that prevents lactase expression from birth. It is particularly common in Finland. This type of lactose intolerance happens when babies are born with no lactase enzymes at all. Infants with this condition do not produce any lactase. Unable to digest lactose, the infants have diarrhea from birth. This is genetically carried and extremely rare. In order to thrive, babies who have this condition need a special diet from the time they're born. This condition was fatal before the development of lactose-free infant formulas.


Lactose Intolerance Symptoms

Symptoms of lactose intolerance can be mild or severe, depending on how much lactase your body makes. Symptoms usually begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking milk or milk products. If you have lactose intolerance, your symptoms may include:



The severity of symptoms varies, depending on the amount of lactose an individual can tolerate, the amount of lactose ingested, and the size and fat content of the meal. People who also have irritable bowel syndrome tend to have more severe symptoms from lactose intolerance.


Many people think they are lactose-intolerant, because the symptoms of lactose intolerance are very common symptoms. If you feel sick after drinking a glass of milk one time, you probably do not have lactose intolerance. But if you feel sick every time you have milk, ice cream, or another dairy product, you may have lactose intolerance.


Sometimes people who have never had problems with milk or dairy products suddenly have lactose intolerance. This is more common as you get older.


Symptoms of the most common type of lactose intolerance-adult lactose intolerance-often start during the teen or adult years and continue for life. Symptoms of acquired lactose intolerance last as long as the small intestine does not make lactase.


In rare cases, newborns are lactose intolerant. Symptoms in newborns include severe foamy diarrhea, diaper rash, vomiting, dehydration, weakness and irritability, and slow weight gain.


If you think you might have lactose intolerance, talk it over with your doctor. Your doctor can make sure that your symptoms are caused by lactose intolerance and not by another problem. Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of lactose intolerance, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, overuse of laxatives, and problems digesting foods that contain fructose and sorbitol.


Food Allergy Versus Lactose Intolerance

Sometimes symptoms we think indicate lactose intolerance are actually caused by a food allergy. An allergy to milk, for example, affects bottle-fed babies more than breastfed babies because the majority of infant formulas are based on cow's, goat's or soy milk.


It's very rare for babies to be allergic to human breastmilk. But an allergy might develop from proteins eaten by a breastfeeding mother, which are then transferred to her baby via her breastmilk. An elimination diet can be used to diagnose such an allergy. This involves removing dairy foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt and cream from the mother's diet. If the baby's symptoms improve but then return when mum reintroduces the foods, this might suggest an allergy.


Reactions to food allergies are more severe than allergies to lactose intolerance. If your baby's allergic to food such as cow's milk, soy products or egg, you might notice the following symptoms:



Lactose Intolerance and the Breastfed Baby

Lactose intolerance is poorly understood in by many people. There are lots of myths and misunderstandings about it, especially when it comes to babies. Contrary to what you may hear:



Lactose is the sugar in all mammalian milks. It is produced in the breast. The amount of lactose in breastmilk is independent of the mother's consumption of lactose and hardly varies. The milk the baby gets when he first starts to feed contains much the same amount of lactose as does the milk at the end of a breastfeed. However, the milk at the end does contain more fat.


A truly lactose-intolerant baby would fail to thrive from birth (i.e., not even start to gain weight) and show obvious symptoms of malabsorption and dehydration. This is a medical emergency and the baby would need a special diet from soon after birth.


Food intolerance or allergy in breastfed babies can cause a baby to be unsettled. The foods to which a baby is allergic or intolerant can pass from through the mother's breastmilk. In some cases, removal from the mother's diet of the foods to which the baby is allergic or intolerant, for example cows' milk products, can sometimes help. If you wish to try eliminating foods from your diet on the suspicion that your baby has an allergy or an intolerance, check with a dietitian to help you identify the culprit foods and to make sure your diet is nutritionally adequate for both your and your baby.


Cows' milk protein allergy (or intolerance) is often confused with lactose intolerance and many people think they are the same thing. This is not the case. The confusion probably arises because cows' milk protein and lactose are both in the same food, i.e. dairy products. Since allergy or intolerance to a food protein can cause secondary lactose intolerance, they may be present together, further adding to this confusion.


Secondary lactose intolerance is temporary, as long as the gut damage can heal. When the cause of the damage to the gut is removed, for example by taking the food to which a breastfed baby is allergic out of the mother's diet, the gut will heal, even if the baby is still fed breastmilk. If your doctor does diagnose 'lactose intolerance', continuing to breastfeed will not harm your baby as long as she is otherwise well and growing normally.


While the baby has symptoms of lactose intolerance, it is sometimes suggested that the mother alternate breastfeeding the baby with feeds of lactose-free artificial baby milk or even take the baby off the breast. Authorities only recommend the use of lactose-free artificial baby milk if the baby is artificially-fed and is very malnourished and/or losing weight. However, human milk remains the best food and will assist with gut healing. In addition, sensitivity of the baby to foreign protein (cow or soy) should be considered before introduction of any artificial baby milk, as regular types, including lactose-free ones, may make this problem worse. You should seek professional advice on the need for hypoallergenic artificial baby milk. A medical adviser should see any baby with long-term symptoms and/or who is failing to thrive.


Before even partially taking a baby off the breast for a short time, thought should be given to other aspects of the breastfeeding relationship. Questions you could ask include:



Average recovery time for the gut of a baby with severe gastroenteritis is 4 weeks, but may be up to 8 weeks for a baby under 3 months. For older babies, over about 18 months, recovery may be as rapid as 1 week. If a medical adviser orders alternative feeds for the baby, it is important that the mother understands that her breastmilk is still the normal and proper food for her baby in the long term.


You may have heard about giving drops containing the enzyme lactase to babies who have symptoms of lactose intolerance. There is little evidence that these are of much value when used this way, although there are anecdotal reports that relatively large doses may help in some cases. Lactase drops are designed to be put into expressed breastmilk (or other milk) and left overnight for the enzyme to predigest the lactose in the milk. In practice they seem to be occasionally useful for babies.


Lactose Intolerance Treatment

The only treatment available for a temporary cure of lactose intolerance, is lactase products. Lactase products are dietary supplements that help you digest lactose. There are many different brands of lactase products. Some are capsules or pills that you swallow or chew before you eat or drink milk products. Others are liquids that you can add to milk 24 hours before you drink it. Because products and brands are different, you may want to try a few to see which ones work best for you.


How Does It Work?

Lactase supplements works naturally to help create the enzyme that aids in the digestion of lactose. With lactase you can eat and drink all different kinds of milk and dairy products without the uncomfortable bloating, cramping, gas, and diarrhea problems that come along with lactose intolerance. Imagine enjoying the health benefits of dairy without pain and discomfort of dairy intolerance. Lactase supplements helps with this! (For more information, see "Lactose Intolerance Reviews".)


Lactose Intolerance Diet

If your child is older and diagnosed with lactose intolerance, here are some tips. These also apply to adults with lactose intolerance.


Limit the amount of milk and milk products in your diet. Most people can have about 10 g of lactose each day. This can be a glass of whole, low-fat, or nonfat milk, for example. All milk contains the same amount of lactose.


Here's a quick reference chart for the lactose content of common foods.


Dairy product

Lactose content

Yogurt, plain, low-fat, 240 ml (1 cup)

5 gm

Milk, reduced fat, 240 ml

11 gm

Swiss cheese, 28 g (1 oz)

1 gm

Ice-cream, 120 ml (½ cup)

6 gm

Cottage cheese, 120 ml

2-3 gm

Butter, 20 g (1 tblsp)

0.2 gm

Cream, 20 g (1 tblsp)

0.6 gm


Foods with less lactose, such as Swiss or cheddar cheese, may not cause problems. If you are not sure whether a milk product causes symptoms, try a small amount and wait to see how you feel before you eat or drink more.


Foods that are OK

Foods to watch out for

Check the ingredients

    Bread and cereals

    Rice and pasta

    Fruit and vegetables

    Meat, fish, chicken, pulses, legumes, nuts

    Cheeses with very small lactose content: brie, camembert, cheddar, colby, cotto, edam, fetta, gouda, havarti, mozzarella, parmesan, Swiss, Tilstat

    Soy yoghurt

    Milk, yoghurt, ice-cream, milk desserts, cream cheese, processed cheese, cheese spread, cottage cheese, ricotta

    Yoghurt-coated muesli bars

    Instant mashed potato and vegetables with added milk, white or cheese sauces

    Fish pastes, meat pastes, frankfurts

    Creamy Italian or French cooking

    Biscuits

    Cakes

    Cake mixes

    Creamed soups

    Mayonnaise

    Milk chocolate

    Flavoured chips and cheese

    Flavoured snacks

    Artificial sweeteners


Diet tips



Eat or drink milk and milk products along with other foods. For some people, combining a solid food (like cereal) with a dairy product (like milk) may reduce or eliminate symptoms.


Spread milk or milk products throughout the day. Many people who are lactose-intolerant find it helpful to eat small amounts of lactose-containing products throughout the day instead of larger amounts all at one time.


Eat or drink milk and milk products that have reduced lactose. In most grocery stores, you can buy milk with reduced lactose. Some people like buying this kind of milk and find that it helps control their symptoms. Others find that it tastes too sweet or is too expensive. People with diabetes may find that lactose-reduced milk raises their blood sugar levels higher than normal.


Eat or drink other foods instead of milk and milk products. You can substitute soy milk and soy cheese for milk and milk products. You can also use nondairy creamers in your coffee. But keep in mind that nondairy creamers do not contain the same vitamins and minerals as milk, and they may contain more fat than milk contains.


Use lactase products. Lactase products are dietary supplements that help you digest lactose. There are many different brands of lactase products. Some are pills that you chew before you eat or drink milk products. Others are liquids that you can add to milk 24 hours before you drink it. Because products and brands are different, you may want to try a few to see which ones work best for you.


Eat yogurt with live cultures (not pasteurized). Some people who are lactose-intolerant can eat yogurt without problems, especially yogurt with live cultures. This type of yogurt can help people digest lactose. All yogurts are made with live cultures, but many yogurts go through a process called "heat treatment" that kills the bacteria. If you want to be sure you are buying yogurt that still contains live cultures, check the label for the words "active yogurt cultures," "living yogurt cultures," or "contains active cultures."


If you have severe lactose intolerance, you may need to avoid lactose completely.


Lactose Diet Traps

Many products that are generally perceived to be lactose free actually do contain lactose as an ingredient. These "lactose traps" are easy to fall into, but are also just as easy to avoid with the right knowledge.


The traps:



Individuals with lactose intolerance must inform their doctor before a medicine is prescribed.


Other food traps include baked goods; breakfast cereals and instant breakfast drinks; instant potatoes and instant soups; pancake, and biscuit mixes; margarine and salad dressings; candies, milk chocolate, and other snacks. Be sure to read labels for lactose and for lactose's "hidden" names, such as:



When eating out it is also useful to remember that certain dishes will contain lactose, even if they don't explicitly contain dairy. Dishes like mashed potato will usually be prepared with milk or butter, while many salad dressings contain lactose as a sweetener.


Lactose Overload

Lactose overload is not the same as lactose intolerance – that is, it's not a problem with the production of lactase. Rather, lactose overload occurs when a baby consumes large amounts of lactose at one time and can't break it all down.


Lactose overload can occur when:



Research shows that the symptoms of lactose overload improved in 79% of babies who were fed in a position that ensured they received all the milk from each breast, finished the first breast before moving onto the second breast, and were fed at three-hour intervals (not more frequently), in case of over-feeding.


Precations

One of the biggest concerns for people who are lactose intolerant is making sure they get enough of the nutrients found in milk products, especially calcium. Calcium is especially important for women, because it keeps bones strong and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. There are many nondairy foods that contain calcium, including:



To absorb calcium, your body needs vitamin D. Most people get enough vitamin D by being out in the sun for short periods of time each day. Vitamin D is also found in fortified orange juice, fortified soy milk, oily fish (such as salmon), egg yolks, and liver.


If you don't know whether you are getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients found in milk products such as magnesium, potassium, protein, and riboflavin, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend that you take a calcium supplement or meet with a registered dietitian to make sure you are getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals.


You should also talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not go away with treatment, if they get worse, or if you have other symptoms, such as a fever, chills, or severe belly pain or vomiting.


What To Think About


Lactose intolerance in newborns of normal birth weight and in babies is rare. But if your child has symptoms of lactose intolerance, see your doctor right away. Diarrhea is very dangerous because it can lead to dehydration, a serious problem that requires immediate attention.


If your baby is formula-fed and develops lactose intolerance, you can switch to a formula made without lactose. In rare cases, a baby may have a reaction to the proteins in milk, which is a different condition called sensitivity to milk protein.


If you're breastfeeding, persist if possible. Because of the nutritional value of breastmilk, and the benefits of lactose for your baby's growth, weaning isn't recommended. And if your child can tolerate a small amount of lactose, gradually increasing it can help her body produce more lactase.


Talk to your doctor if you're thinking of replacing or alternating breastmilk with a soy-based or other lactose-free formula. You can also talk to a community nurse or lactation consultant if you're concerned about alternating breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.


If you find that you need to eliminate dairy products from your baby's diet as he grows, you'll want to be sure that he has other sources of calcium, which helps bones and teeth grow strong. Nondairy sources of calcium include leafy greens, fortified juices and soy milk, tofu, broccoli, canned salmon, oranges, and fortified breads. If you are worried about your baby's nutritional needs not being met, ask your pediatrician about giving him a dietary supplement.


Lactose Intolerance Tests

Lactose tolerance tests measure the ability of your intestines to break down lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products.


How the Test is Performed

Two common methods include:



The hydrogen breath test is the preferred method. It measures the amount of hydrogen in the air you breathe out.


You will be asked to breathe into a balloon-type container. Then, you will be asked to drink a flavored liquid containing lactose. Samples of your breath are collected at set time periods and the hydrogen level is checked. Normally, very little hydrogen is in your breath. But if your body has trouble breaking down and absorbing lactose, breath hydrogen levels increase.


The lactose tolerance blood test looks for glucose in your blood. Your body creates glucose when lactose breaks down. For this test, several blood samples will be taken before and after you drink the lactose solution described above.


How to Prepare for the Test

You should not eat for 8 hours before the test. Avoid strenuous exercise for 8 hours before the test.


How the Test Will Feel

There should not be any pain or discomfort when giving a breath sample.


When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.


Why the Test is Performed

Your doctor may order these tests if you have signs of lactose intolerance.


Normal Results

The breath test is considered normal if the increase in hydrogen is less than 12 parts per million over your fasting (pre-test) level.


The blood test is considered normal if your glucose level rises more than 30 mg/dL within 2 hours of drinking the lactose solution. A rise of 20-30 mg/dL is inconclusive.


Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.


What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be a sign of lactose intolerance.


A breath test result that shows a rise in hydrogen content of 12 parts per million (ppm) over your pre-test level is considered positive, and means you may have trouble breaking down lactose.


The blood test is considered abnormal if your glucose level rises less than 20 mg/dL within 2 hours of drinking the lactose solution.


An abnormal test should be followed by a glucose tolerance test to rule out a problem with the body's ability to absorb glucose.


Risks

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.


Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:



Lactose Intolerance Reviews

The following reviews have been selected:


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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must if Lactose Intolerant or Might Be, August 4, 2010

By

Stephanie

These ... tablets work well to prevent lactose intolerance induced disasters. The tablets are packaged in a way that is easy to carry around in your bag, pocket or other portable methods.

I can finally enjoy foods with dairy again. I suggest taking one right before your first bite of foods with dairy and then having another in the middle of eating dairy if it is a good amount of food or you have been eating for a while. I'm very cautious so I like to be on the safe side I guess.

The tablets are composed of lactase, a naturally made enzyme that people with lactose intolerance lack, so there shouldn't be any side effects to taking "too many" tablets. I would just use common sense and experiment with how many tablets to take when eating various dairy products.


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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works great for a while but then loses effectiveness, January 10, 2009

By

Danny (Green Bay, WI USA)

I used this product for about two years and it worked great. I took two pills for the first two weeks then one every day after that. I really was able to eat all the dairy that I wanted with no ill effects.


However, after the first two years, I slowly started having some gas and diarrhea from dairy. I was able to deal with those symptoms by taking two of these pills every day instead of just one. I am wondering now whether I will have to eventually take even more or whether they will stop working altogether some day.


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5.0 out of 5 stars Works wonders!, September 18, 2011

By

Texas Girl (Texas)

I did not develop lactose intolerance until my early 20's. My brother is also lactose intolerant so he had already been taking [these] for years and so I began taking them as well. He is severely lactose intolerant and I am moderately intolerant. Even though I knew what was causing my discomfort I still refused to cut certain things out of my diet, I'm stubborn I know. When I take [lactase] it helps reduce my symptoms so much. It does not completely eliminate them because my intolerance is higher than most BUT it makes it bearable for me to eat the foods I love. If I don't take it I get horrible cramps and bloating and it can ruin my day. But now even if I eat a lot of dairy if I take my pills then I know I will almost always avoid these symptoms. I rarely go all out and drink milk or eat ice cream but I eat cheese and other dairy products on a daily basis. The recommendation is to take 1 to 2 pills but I honestly have to take 3 most of the time (my brother is the same way). I have a friend who is mildly lactose intolerant and 1 pill works for her with almost everything but I don't see any difference with just one and rarely with 2. I highly recommend this product! It has worked wonders for me and allows me to continue eating the foods I love.


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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars works well, October 13, 2009

By

Happy (Chicago, IL)

They do a good job of preventing me from having any issues when eating dairy - so that I can enjoy an occasional ice cream or coffee with milk.


I like the individual wrapped pills because I can keep a few in my wallet and a few in my car, so I have them whenever I need them.


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60 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An Honest Caution, September 7, 2010

By

David Humphries

On August 19, 2010, I went to the doctor. My complaint: constant low-grade abdominal discomfort, six to eight months of continuous steatorrhea, diarrhea about once a week, pronounced weakness and getting worse, fatigue, low dips in blood sugar, seventeen pounds of weight loss, insomnia. The doctor gave me a physical exam and requested several batteries of blood tests. They found nothing.


On the day I went to the doctor, I stopped taking Digestive Advantage (DA) since it was the only variable I had to eliminate. I had been using it for at least two years, and initially, I was as impressed as all the reviews are here. However, within twenty-four hours of stopping it, I noticed an improvement in my steatorrhea. I remained off of DA and continually improved. Now, on September 7, 2010, I am gaining weight, my strength is back, I have no abdominal discomfort, and everything is improving. I feel like a new man. I have normal poops again!


For me, long-term use of DA became a health liability. If you are using DA or planning on trying it, please keep my symptoms in the back of your mind. Maybe DA will only affect me in this manner, but I feel obligated to warn others.


I will no longer use it.


UPDATE: OCTOBER 4, 2010: It has been 46 days since I quit taking DA. There has been no return of symptoms, and my health is great. Consequently, there is absolutely, positively no doubt that long-term use of DA interfered with my ability to properly digest food. Also, it is only now that I recognize just how sick I was. The digestion problems came on so gradually that it took me months to notice the full extent of the sickness and several more months to finally suspect DA.


I will be writing a letter to the manufacturer and to the FDA. In my experience, long-term use of DA will inhibit your digestion and make you very sick.


UPDATE: OCTOBER 8, 2010: So I just learned that there actually is a condition called Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). It is a condition in which too much bacteria forms in the small intestine, and it interferes with digestion. The symptoms? Everything I listed in the beginning of this review.


DA is a bacteria (bacillus coagulans). You take it everyday. I'm no doctor, but it is no stretch of the imagination that DA caused me SIBO...


By the way, I emailed the company on October 4. They have not responded. As for the FDA, I forgot: they do not regulate dietary supplements. It is a buyer-beware market.


Please beware.


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