So it says I'm Mild hyperlactasia... Exactly what does this mean.. I mean the mild bit..Can I have a bit of dairy?

[Ian67]

My mum made me a cuppa tea by mistake with the wrong milk.. I Didn notice any side effects..

Will I damage villi by haveing the odd bit of chocolate or brew if not got my own milk, like in a cafe etc

[sassyl]

Eating dairy doesn't damage your villi at all. The lactose intolerance comes from a lack of the lactase enzyme (which is produced at the end of the villi). Having a lack of this enzyme means that the lactose (the stuff in dairy) is not absorbed in the upper bowel and then enters the lower bowel. This is where most of the bacteria in your bowels are, and they 'eat up' the sugars left in the dairy, releasing methane as a byproduct. This malabsorption also leads to inflammation of the bowels and more water is absorbed into them.

Hence eating dairy causes wind and diarrhea - not pleasant but there's no damage either.

Also, different food types have different levels of lactose in them - hard cheeses have the least, milk has the most. The odd bit of dairy may not affect you and in time you'll find your own levels and limits.

Enjoy the chocolate!

[Hidden in reply to sassyl]

Sassy, brilliant answer,I wondered where the lactase was produced and why. Had 2yrs abdominal problems, so recently cut down on dairy and have soya as looking for improvement, am coeliac. There must be simple answer, its just finding it. Not been suggested to me by medical folk.

[sassyl in reply to Hidden]

Are you sorted now then? |'ve floundered my way through it for years before I finally worked out what's been bugging me. I'm now lactose free GF and follow a LowFODMAP diet from the dietician. Finally I don't have gut problems after 10 years!

I've just got a blog up and running with recipes, might be something you like on it

icaneatthatrecipes.blogspot...

[Hidden in reply to sassyl]

Advised to take small dose Lactulose nocte, if require small dose laxative wonder if Lactulose is the correct one as trying dairy free. ( have good level fruit and veg )

[sassyl in reply to Hidden]

It's a different sugar chain, not lactose but galactose & fructose, so you should be ok with that (it is lactose free). I think it would be worth getting a dieticians appointment and asking about LowFODMAP instead of taking medication. I couldn't believe the difference in removing certain fruit and veg.

[Hidden in reply to sassyl]

Gee thanks, dietition hasnt been any help only seems interested if I am keeping gluten free, which is easy to do for me, also sees I have blood test yearly. gp after 9mths no dvise to peppermint tabs etc after I had pleaded with chemist for help. So after Gastro no care for 7mths then failed colonoscopy ( why when he had no info from me ) I requested Protem pump as was desperate. Long story but no proper advise so seeking what info I can without trying to pester gp which I dont get info apart from it wont kill me. HaHa great news You seem to be on right track. Not seeing Gastro for 7mths, gp rekons Gastro dealing with me. Rabeprazole and Lactulose, just said its acid no other info. gp in med records put IBS. but not said to me. It was hellish for 18mths Glad you are managing after so many years.

[Liana]

Here in Canada many products are available in the lactose free form. We can get yoghurt, a variety of levels of milk (1%, 2% etc), whipping cream, half and half, etc. This is recent, but very welcome. My family can't tell the different in terms of taste and texture, so in a pinch I just give them the lactose free. I use it in baking and cooking. My tummy appreicates the effort.

[Ian67]

Thank you for explainig