Milk is a primary source of lactose, a sugar found naturally in milk and dairy products. Lactose is the initiator of the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Individuals who do not naturally have enough lactase will not be able to digest lactose effectively as they cannot break it down efficiently in their body.

Lactose intolerance vary between individuals although below is a list of the most common signs that a person may not be able to digest lactose fully. Please note that just because you recognise these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are lactose intolerant. These signs are common of many other gut disorders and therefore it’s recommended that you seek help from your GP to identify the problem.

These effects are typically bought on within a few hours of consuming more lactose than your body can handle. For some individuals this may be the equivalent of a few tablespoons of milk whereas for others their tolerance may be higher.

Common signs include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Severe bloating

Gastrointestinal cramps

Flatulence

Diarrhoea

If you think you may be lactose intolerant, it’s recommended that you seek a professional diagnosis from your GP rather than self-diagnosing. Lactose intolerance can be managed through making changes in your diet and the use of Milkaid. Milkaid is a food supplement which provides the lactase enzyme to help breakdown and aid digestion of lactose.

Lactose intolerance can also develop at any stage of the lifecycle. Lactose intolerance can be a hereditary condition which you may suffer from birth (this is rarer). Alternatively, primary lactose intolerance is hereditary although isn’t usually symptomatic until early adulthood.

Secondary lactose intolerance is when the individual becomes lactose intolerant as a result of a condition such as Crohn’s Disease or another form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Note: this is different to the more commonly experienced Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

The difficulty to digest lactose becomes more common as individuals age as the small intestines reduce the production of lactase.

Yes, the lactase in Milkaid is extracted from natural yeasts and is generally regarded as safe. We do recommend pregnant women seek personalised advice from their GP. Evidence shows that consumption of lactase enzymes can breakdown lactose in individuals with known lactose intolerance, to avoid maldigestion of lactose. NHS choices recommend the use of a lactase enzyme supplement for individuals who cannot breakdown lactose naturally.

Lactose free milk is the same milk you buy in the shop but with the added lactase enzyme to help breakdown the naturally occurring milk sugar, lactose. This milk still contains lactose and is equivalent of taking a Milkaid supplement before consuming it. Some consumers prefer to choose to have dairy and having the option to supplement with Milkaid tablets or drops gives them this freedom.

Yes, if your child has been diagnosed with lactose intolerance. The production of lactase will slow down after the age of 2 in children with lactose intolerance. It is not recommended to give Milkaid to your child before diagnosis. Milkaid is available in drops and strawberry flavoured chewable tablets suitable for three years upwards. For small children, from one year upwards, Milkaid Drops offer an alternative format, where chewing larger tablets may present a choking hazard.

Yes, if you have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance and you consume Milkaid Drops or Milkaid Tablets before consuming lactose containing food then you will able to eat dairy products. Milkaid is convenient for carrying around, travelling and taking discreetly. Please be aware taking more than 64 drops in a 24-hour period or 6 raspberry chewable tablets per meal is not advised.

Milkaid is not a medicine. Milkaid is a food supplement that contains lactase enzyme. Evidence shows that consumption of lactase enzymes can breakdown lactose in individuals with known lactose intolerance, to avoid maldigestion of lactose. Consumption of a lactase enzyme supplement is recommended for individuals who cannot breakdown lactose naturally. Consuming Milkaid with or before a food containing dairy can help to the reduce/ inhibit your symptoms. Choosing to supplement your diet with Milkaid Tablets or Milkaid Drops means that you can enjoy dairy products knowing that you will be able to breakdown the lactose in the food and not experience any unwanted effects from lactose intolerance.

If you think you may have lactose intolerance due to experiencing any of the listed symptoms following the ingestion of dairy product, then you should seek a diagnosis from your GP. Symptoms listed above can be a sign of other gut health related complications and therefore a professional examination is essential.

Seek advice from your GP. Your GP may prescribe a lactose free diet initially to see if your symptoms subside. Alternatively, they may conduct a hydrogen breath test or a blood test to identify whether you’re lactose intolerant.