While having lactose intolerance usually means avoiding most dairy products for the persons affected, dairy’s affects can vary greatly depending on the amount of lactase a person’s body can produce, and how much lactose they can digest.  For some unlucky individuals even the minutest amounts of lactose can make them quite ill.

The accepted treatment for lactose intolerance is to simply avoid most or all dairy products, but for those that are extremely sensitive to lactose this simply may not be enough. There are other treatments that can help those with a high sensitivity to lactose live a normal life.

Enzyme tablets and liquids are widely available both at your local drugstore and your health food store. Not all of these enzyme supplements are made the same way so if one does not work for you then try other brands till you find one that works. Enzyme tablets should be taken either shortly before or with your meal; to be sure the enzymes are available for digestion of the lactose.

Acidophilus is one of many different types of lactic acid bacteria that the intestines can use to break down lactose into short chain fatty acids that are digestible by your small intestine.  Acidophilus is often labeled as probiotics and can be purchased at your local health food store. Some probiotics need refrigeration so be sure to ask the store clerk about what is best before you purchase.

There are a few types of probiotics that work best for lactose intolerance so be sure that your supplement contains at least one or more of the following:  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus plantarum.

For those looking to get dairy in their diet, trying yogurt with live cultures or acidophilus milk may be tolerated better than yogurt or milk without. Yogurt in addition to containing probiotics, releases an enzyme beta-galactosidase that is similar to lactase that can aid in lactose digestion.

Trying one or more of these natural remedies at the same time may make it possible for you to tolerate small amounts of lactose, allowing you to get some of the much needed nutrients that dairy provides in your diet.