Jeanette M. Newton-Keith, MD

How important is it for people who think they are lactose sensitive to have it diagnosed?
If you're having symptoms, it's important to confirm the diagnosis because there are diseases that mimic lactose intolerance, such as irritable bowel syndrome. If you don't have lactose sensitivity and you reduce your calcium intake, it puts you at increased risk for diabetes, obesity, hypertension, colon cancer and other diseases that are improved or resolved with high calcium in the diet.

Is the advice for kids with lactose intolerance the same as for adults?
Yes, except their calcium requirements are different. Adults need 3 cups of dairy a day. When young children start growing, their need for dairy foods increases from 2-3 cups to 3-4 cups a day. The approach is the same, the amount is different.

Why are hard cheeses and yogurt better tolerated than other dairy products?
The milk sugar is broken down during the aging process. You still have the health benefits of the calcium, protein and other nutrients, but there's no lactose. Yogurt with active cultures introduces good bacteria into the gut that helps to digest the lactose.

What do you tell people about using rice and soy beverages?
My general guideline is that they are nutritional foods but not equal substitutes. For example, the amount of calcium and fiber varies, depending on the brand you buy. It's important to compare the different nutrient packages in these products. A recent study showed that the calcium in these beverages settles out and sticks to the container so you don't know how much calcium you're getting. Overall, when you look at the best nutrient package for your money, dairy foods continue to stand the test of time.

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