Lactaid is a milk product that is made especially for people who are lactose intolerant. Lactose is a simple sugar found in regular milk. It's broken down by lactase, an enzyme found in the small intestine, and absorbed in the blood as a source of nourishment. However, some people do not produce lactase in their body. Therefore, drinking milk can cause digestive upset. Consequently, they must drink milk that is free of lactose, such as lactaid milk.


Lactose is a simple sugar found in milk and dairy products. This sugar is broken down by an enzyme, called lactase, in the small intestine so it can be absorbed by the body nutritionally. Some people, however, do not produce lactase in their systems; therefore, the lactose in milk can't be broken down. As a result, they can suffer from digestive upset or discomfort from 1/2 hour to a couple hours after consuming milk. Lactaid milk does not produce this effect because it doesn't contain lactose.

Lactose Intolerance

Because certain people don't produce the enzyme lactase in their small intestine, they are said to be lactose intolerant. As a result, they can't drink milk because their bodies do not have the lactase enzyme to breakdown the lactose sugar in milk. Lactaid contains lactase so lactose intolerant people can enjoy the healtful benefits of milk without any digestive discomfort.

The Lactic Acid Effect

If your body does not produce lactase, lactose is broken down, instead, by bacteria in the large intestine. As a result, lactic acid is produced. Because lactic acid irritates the large bowel and can have a laxative effect, it can cause symptoms, such as diarrhea, cramps and bloating. Lactaid milk prevents this from occurring.

Nutritional Concerns

When people are lactose intolerant, they are vulnerable to such conditions as osteoporosis, which can result from a diet lacking in the nutrition that milk can provide. Lactose intolerance occurs most often in older people because the body does not produce as much lactase as we age. Milk is rich in protein, calcium and vitamins A and D, which are beneficial not only to growing bodies but aging bones as well. Therefore, people who are lactose intolerant can obtain the full nutrition of milk in Lactaid without worrying about the digestive upset that often occurs from consuming regular milk.

Lactaid Milk

In summation, Lactaid Milk contains the protein, vitamins and calcium of milk but is lactose-free. It includes the lactase enzyme so lactose intolerant people can drink milk without difficulty. The milk is available for various tastes and nutritional needs and comes in fat-free, 1 percent, 2 percent and low-fat chocolate.

About the Author

Ann Ryan has extensive experience writing articles online and off-line on a number of topics such as business, health and fitness, home and gardening, pets, travel and general interest subjects. She has also written copy for cartoonists and greeting card companies. While in college, Ryan majored in business administration.

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