How to identify if you are lactose intolerant

People who are lactose intolerant are unable to digest and breakdown the sugar lactose into the simple sugars glucose and galactose. Lactose is commonly found in milk products. The inability to digest lactose comes from having a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. Lactose intolerance can be developed later on in life -- it does not have to be something you are born with. If you have a suspicion that you are lactose intolerant -- something usually derived from abdominal pain or nausea after drinking milk -- you need to identify whether or not it is lactose intolerance.

Instructions

• 1

  Stop drinking milk or eating milk products for about 3 to 4 days in a row.

• 2

  Drink 8 to 10 oz. of milk on an empty stomach after the 3 to 4 days are up. If you react with symptoms that include nausea, stomach pains or diarrhea, this may mean you are lactose intolerant.

• 3

  Check with a doctor to confirm that you are lactose intolerant. Your doctor will perform a hydrogen breath test which will reveal if you are missing the enzyme lactase.