Which of the following is a treatment option for lactose intolerance?

• A. Low lactose diet
• B. High lactose diet
• C. Vitamin C supplementation
• D. High-fat diet

Answer: (A)

Lactose intolerance is caused by insufficient lactase to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. When lactose isn’t digested, it travels to the colon and is fermented by bacteria, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, cramping, and diarrhea. The main treatment is to limit lactose intake, so a low lactose diet directly reduces the substrate available for fermentation and therefore the symptoms. In practice, this includes choosing lactose-free dairy products, opting for aged cheeses or yogurt with live cultures (which may be better tolerated), spreading dairy intake across meals, or using lactase enzyme supplements when dairy is consumed. Vitamin C supplementation and high-fat diets don’t address the underlying digestion issue, so they aren’t treatments for lactose intolerance.