Lactose Intolerance

It is important to note that lactose intolerance is different than a dairy allergy. Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize the milk sugar known as lactose. This occurs due to a lack of lactase in the digestive system, which is the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose. Studies have shown that the majority of adults experience a decrease in lactase activity as they age. When the body is deficient in lactase, the lactose passes directly into the colon intact, allowing for fermentation to occur. The fermentation process produces gases which can cause abdominal symptoms such as bloating, gas, cramps and diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating and vary by individual and the type/quantity of dairy foods consumed. Devigest contains a highly potent lactase enzyme to assist the body with digesting foods high in lactose. When taking lactase-digesting enzymes like those in Devigest, you should take them with the first bite of the dairy product for maximum efficacy. Taking them too soon or too far after consuming dairy reduces lactase’s ability to interact with the lactose within the digestive tract.