My stomach reacts negatively a few minutes after I consume dairy products. I only get to enjoy food with dairy whenever I am at home. But whenever I'm dining out, I refrain from eating ice cream, or anything with milk.
What is lactose intolerance?
According to WebMD, Lactose intolerance means the body cannot easily digest lactose, a type of natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. This is not the same thing as a food allergy to milk.
Signs of lactose intolerance
- diarrhea
- stomach pain or cramps
- flatulence
- bloating
- nausea and/or vomiting
My worry for not being able to consume milk is the fact that I'm missing out on calcium. This is very alarming because I know I need calcium to have strong, healthy bones.
About Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. It represents 1 to 2% of our body weight and 99% is found in the bones and teeth. Calcium plays an important role in muscle contraction, neurons activity and blood coagulation.
Food supplement
Doppelherz Philippines sent me a box of Calcium + D3 food supplement. Each tablet contains 600 mg of calcium (as carbonate), .04 mg of Vitamin K (Phytomenadione), and .005 mg of Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol). It's the best combination to increase calcium intake and strengthen the bones.
From the food to the blood: dietary Calcium is absorbed at the level of the intestine, by a specific transporter which is stimulated by Vitamin D3. This vitamin is further on responsible for the blood balance of Calcium and Phosphate meant for bone formation.
The Doppelherz Calcium + D3 is lactose-free and gluten-free.