Human being were said to be lactose intolerant initially but gradually the genetics insistence has made us tolerant to lactose. In the year 1960, it was first discovered that there are many individuals who show intolerance towards lactose.

Lactose is actually a sugar which is present in milk and its byproducts. When a person is not able to digest this lactose he is considered to be intolerant towards lactose. An enzyme called lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into further two sugars -- galactose and glucose. In cases where there is a deficiency of enzyme lactase, this breaking up of lactose does not take place properly and results in lactose intolerant.

Lactose intolerance is often found in infants from the age of 2 to 5 years. In grown up adults, lactose intolerance is found in varying measures. The symptoms of lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome are often same, and it is very difficult to distinguish the two. People, who are diagnosed with either of these two, should avoid milk and its byproducts to get an appreciable amount of relief. Lactose intolerance gives rise to acidity, flatulence, gas, vomiting, nausea, intestinal disorder and in some cases even diarrhea.

People who know they are intolerant to lactose often cut their lactose intake. Lactose is mainly found in milk. Milk at the same time is a great source of calcium. Cutting milk from the regular diet may lead to deficiency in calcium, and hence, care should be taken that person is having a diet which has alternate means of providing calcium. One can also consider having a medicine which is available in liquid and pill form called Lacteeze, which if taken before consumption of lactose can help in the digestion to some extent.

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