Lactaid pills are supplements of lactase enzyme that help lactose intolerant people to digest dairy products. Lactose is a complex form of sugar found in dairy products that need to be broken down into simpler forms in our body. People who cannot digest lactose are called lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance happens due to lack of sufficient lactase enzyme in the body. Lactaid pills are consumed before meals to control symptoms of lactose intolerance. Some lactose intolerant people have reported side effects of Lactaid pills such as nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and stomach cramps.
Do Lactaid Pills Have Side Effects?
Lactaid pills are the lactase enzyme supplements that can help in the digestion of lactose in the small intestine in lactose intolerant people. Lactose is a complex form of sugar found particularly in milk and other dairy products. Our body cannot break down lactose. A digestive enzyme Lactase is secreted in the small intestine for this purpose. Lactase breaks down lactose into simpler sugar glucose and galactose which is absorbed from the small intestine for body utilization.
Lactose intolerance is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by one’s inability to digest lactose in the body. The main cause of the condition is the insufficient production of lactase enzyme by the small intestine. The lactose is not absorbed properly in the small intestine. It is digested in the large intestine by the bacteria leading to digestive symptoms. The condition is harmless and is triggered by ingestion of milk or milk products.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance appear in 30 minutes to 2 hours of ingestion of dairy products. The symptoms vary person to person based on the sensitivity and the amount of lactase secreted in the body. The Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance Are–
- Cramps in the abdomen
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Gas
- Pain in the abdomen
- Nausea
- Diarrhea.
Lactaid pills are lactase enzymes that act as the supplement for digestive lactase enzyme. It soothes the symptoms of lactose intolerance by splitting the milk sugar lactose into galactose and glucose. They must be taken at the start of a meal that contains lactose with the first bite, not before or after the meal. These pills are safe to be used daily for each meal that has lactose.
Lactaid pills break down lactose into glucose and galactose similar to natural lactase enzyme. It can be used many times in a day with every meal that contains lactose. However, some side effects of Lactaid pills have been reported in recent years.
The Side Effects Of Lactaid Pills Can Be As Follows–
Gastrointestinal Complaints– Lactaid pills should be taken with the first bite of lactose-rich food items. If you are lactose intolerant and you want to eat lactose rich food after 20 to 30 minutes of Lactaid pills, you have to take another pill. If it is not followed, you may have cramps in the abdomen, bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Allergic Reactions– some lactose intolerant people are allergic to Lactaid pills. The person allergic to contents of Lactaid pills may experience hives, rashes or itching in the skin. They may also have swelling in the face, lips, tongue, and mouth with difficulties in breathing, and tightness in the chest as symptoms of allergy after Lactaid pills.
Drug Interactions– Lactaid pills may interfere with the action of certain medicines. Few medicines interact with these pills and cause complications. These pills affect the working of certain drugs.
Conclusion
Lactaid pills are the lactase enzyme supplements that aid to digest lactose, a complex sugar found in dairy products. The common side effects of Lactaid pills are allergic skin reactions, nausea, vomiting or cramps in the stomach.
Also Read:
