Lactose Intolerance or just Carbohydrate Sensitivity?

Wonder why one day you just stopped tolerating milk, cheese or ice-cream?  Often a new client will state they are lactose intolerance and add a sentence such as “I used to tolerate milk products just fine until the last few months or maybe even a year.  Then something happened.”

Those with true lactose intolerance have usually had it for quite some time and know how to gauge how much dairy their body is able to tolerate.  However, many individuals who think they are lactose intolerant are actually carbohydrate sensitive.

When someone with insulin resistance continues to eat a large percentage of their calories as carbohydrate, their body becomes more intolerant of all types of carbohydrate.  If they consume a lot of starches made up of strings of glucose molecules such as rice, pasta, potatoes, cereal, etc. the sugar does not readily get into their cells.

As a result, they have various symptoms such as gas, bloating, reflux, fatigue, etc. that go along with insulin resistance.  Add a sugar in the mix such as lactose and these symptoms become more of a problem.

Limiting starches and consuming carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can easily calm down the symptoms of insulin resistance and allow one to consume dairy products without a problem.

If you find yourself with symptoms of lactose intolerance try cutting out starches and desserts for a week or two and see what happens.  I think you might be surprised at the results.

Did you Know?

Here are some alarming health statistics in the US you may or may not be aware of:

• Weight is the a biggest health threat in the US, more than smoking, drinking and poverty in the United States

• 70% of people in the US are overweight.  Obesity has increased by at least 60% in the last two decades

• 95% of type 2 or adult onset diabetes is caused by obesity

• 80% of cancers are diet related or caused by obesity

• Fake sweeteners are expanding our waist-lines instead of slimming us down

• The fastest growing groups of adult onset or type 2 diabetes are children and adolescents

• This will be the first generation of children predicted to not outlive their parents due to the high-fat, high-sugar, refined-flour diet and our rather sedentary lifestyle

• The average child gets over 50% of their calories from fat and sugar

• 50% of fatigue and depression are caused by poor diets

• 70% of the population do not receive the minimum daily requirements for key nutrients for health

• The average child sees over 40,000 TV commercials with over 80% of food ads promoting junk foods

How do we respond to this health crisis?  The problem is multi layered but eating responsibly and holding food manufacturers responsible by refusing to buy their over processed food is a loud way to place your vote.  In A Recipe for Life by the Doctor’s Dietitian I give a clear, definitive road map to change the tide on these unfortunate statistics, hoping to lead our population towards health and longevity.

What about Sugar?

With the holidays upon us and so many sweets around the house, office, and parties it is not hard to be bombarded with high sugar items.  We all know too much sugar is not good for us but what exactly is important to know about sugar, how much is okay to eat and will it really affect your health in a major way?

Sugar has been blamed for many things from diabetes, hyperactivity in children, and autoimmune problems to acne.  The real key is how much you consume.

Many names for sugar exist – some may be but are not limited to sucrose, dextrose, maltose, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, molasses, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, maple syrup, maple sugar, date sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, or high fructose corn syrup. If the product contains any of these, it could be a high sugar product.

Since American culture is accustomed to high levels of sweetness, many of our foods have additional sugar added. This includes anything from small yogurts to salad dressings, and many other foods you may be eating on a regular basis.  Many fat-free and low fat products have sugar added, causing them to become basically high sugar products.  The following list reveals foods that can have sugars or hidden sugars you may not be aware of:

• flavored, sweetened yogurts
• condiments, such as ketchup, barbeque sauce or other sauces
• relish – sweet pickle
• any low fat or fat-free product
• salad dressings
• smoothie drinks
• canned or bottled tomato sauces
• pre-made deli case salads or entrees
• teriyaki sauce
• frozen vegetables and entrees
• canned fruits – in syrups
• specialty waters and drinks (coffee, tea)
• processed meats

The new guidelines of the American Heart Association suggest limiting sugar intake to no more than 100 calories per day for woman and 150 calories for men. This translates to no more than 5-8 teaspoons of sugar per day.  On a label 1 teaspoon of sugar equals 4 grams of sugar so the label limit is 20-32 grams of sugar per day.

To put this concept in real life terms, a 12 ounce can of soda has 40 grams of sugar which is over the recommended level.  If you look at the labels of foods you normally eat, you will be able to monitor how much sugar you are consuming.

Although sugar is not the culprit for many of the adverse affects it has been blamed for it is still a concern for your health.  A high sugar diet can increase all types of inflammation in the body which can lead to many health-related problems. 

Sugar can also lower the immune system, leading to increased risk of colds and flues.  One of the most important considerations is having even blood sugars leading to good sustained energy throughout the day.  If you are consuming increased amounts of sugar in any form, your body produces high amounts of insulin, leading to fluctuation in blood sugars and fatigue.

So keep to the limits if you want to have good energy, maintain your health and avoid illness during the holiday season.  Your body will think you gave it a wonderful gift!