Associated Conditions of Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is often linked to other gastrointestinal and autoimmune conditions that affect the gut. These conditions can damage the intestinal lining where lactase enzymes are produced, leading to or worsening lactose intolerance.

What Conditions Are Linked to Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is often associated with conditions that affect the gut lining or digestion.

Common associated conditions include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
• Coeliac disease.
• Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Gastroenteritis.
• Other gastrointestinal disorders.

These conditions can reduce lactase production, leading to secondary lactose intolerance.

What conditions are commonly associated with lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is commonly associated with conditions that damage the lining of the small intestine, such as IBS, coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and gastroenteritis. These conditions can reduce lactase enzyme production, leading to secondary lactose intolerance.

While lactose intolerance can occur on its own, it is often linked to other medical conditions that affect digestion or gut health. These conditions may directly or indirectly reduce lactase production.

What causes secondary lactose intolerance?

Secondary lactose intolerance occurs when illness, inflammation or damage to the small intestine reduces the body’s ability to produce lactase enzymes.

Damage to the villi in the small intestine, where lactase is produced, is the primary reason lactose intolerance develops as a result of other conditions.

Which gut conditions can lead to lactose intolerance?

Understanding these associations can help in recognising the dual impact of lactose intolerance and an underlying condition, as well as in managing lactose intolerance more effectively and recognising when additional medical attention may be needed. Below are some medical conditions commonly linked with lactose intolerance:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS shares many symptoms with lactose intolerance and may make digestive discomfort worse when lactose is poorly absorbed.

People with lactose intolerance are often more likely to experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine. IBS affects around 3 out of every 10 people, with females being more likely than males to be affected.

IBS shares many symptoms with lactose intolerance, such as abdominal pain, bloating and irregular bowel movements. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but it is believed to be related to a combination of factors, including:

• Abnormalities in the gut-brain interaction
• Intestinal muscle contractions
• Nervous system abnormalities
• Inflammation in the intestines
• Severe infection
• Changes in gut bacteria

There are no definitive medical tests for IBS, although stool and blood tests may be used to rule out other causes. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms. Foods that trigger IBS vary for each person, which is why a low FODMAP diet is often used to identify triggers.

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. The “D” in FODMAP refers to disaccharides, including lactose. When lactose is not broken down properly due to low lactase levels, it can ferment in the colon and cause bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Read how Monash Certified Lacteeze assists with low FODMAP diet on our blogs page.

*https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs

*https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs

2. Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease can damage the lining of the small intestine, which may reduce lactase production and cause secondary lactose intolerance.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. This condition can interfere with nutrient absorption.

The damage to the intestinal lining caused by coeliac disease can reduce lactase production, leading to secondary lactose intolerance. Once a person with coeliac disease adopts a gluten-free diet, their ability to digest lactose may improve over time, although lactose intolerance can persist in some cases. Approximately 1 in 70 Australians have coeliac disease*.

* Coeliac disease – Coeliac Australia

3. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can reduce lactase production by causing chronic inflammation and damage in the digestive tract.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.

This inflammation can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. The inflammation and damage caused by these diseases can reduce lactase production, leading to secondary lactose intolerance.

Managing Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis through medication, diet and lifestyle changes may help heal the gut lining and improve lactose digestion, although some individuals may continue to experience lactose intolerance.

4. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis can temporarily damage the intestinal lining and cause short-term lactose intolerance.

Gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, can temporarily damage the lining of the intestines, leading to temporary lactose intolerance.

This form of lactose intolerance usually resolves once the intestinal lining heals. During recovery, avoiding lactose-containing foods may help prevent discomfort.

5. Other Gastrointestinal Disorders

Other gastrointestinal disorders can impair digestion and reduce the body’s ability to tolerate lactose.

Several other gastrointestinal disorders, such as chronic pancreatitis and parasitic infections, can impair the digestion of lactose.

Addressing the underlying condition can help improve lactose tolerance. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to diagnose and treat any underlying gastrointestinal issues.

6. Osteoporosis

Lactose intolerance may increase the risk of osteoporosis if dairy intake is reduced and calcium needs are not replaced through other dietary sources or supplements.

Lactose Osteoporosis is a common long-term condition that causes bones to become brittle and less dense. People with lactose intolerance often avoid dairy products, which are a major source of calcium, potentially increasing the risk of lower bone density over time.

Lactase deficiency may also affect calcium absorption, while reduced dairy intake can lead to lower levels of other important bone-health nutrients such as vitamin D. Together, these factors may contribute to an increased risk of osteoporosis if nutritional needs are not addressed.

To support bone health, people with lactose intolerance should consider non-dairy calcium sources such as leafy greens, fortified plant milks, nuts, seeds, and fish with bones.

Supplementing with vitamin D and using lactase enzyme supplements may also help maintain adequate calcium intake. Regular bone density check-ups and discussions with healthcare professionals can help reduce long-term osteoporosis risk.

7. Colic

In some infants, symptoms of colic may be linked to temporary lactose intolerance or difficulty digesting lactose during early digestive development.

Colic is a condition that commonly occurs during the first few months of life, where otherwise healthy babies experience prolonged periods of crying or distress, often at predictable times of the day.

While the exact cause of colic is not always known, some infants may experience colic symptoms associated with lactose intolerance or temporary lactase deficiency during early digestive development.

In these cases, undigested lactose may ferment in the gut, causing discomfort, gas, bloating and digestive distress that can contribute to colic-like symptoms.

If lactose intolerance is suspected in infants, parents should always seek guidance from a healthcare professional before making changes to feeding routines.

How do you Manage Lactose Intolerance with Associated Conditions?

Managing lactose intolerance involves addressing both lactose intake and any underlying conditions affecting digestion.

Effectively managing lactose intolerance involves more than just avoiding dairy products. It’s crucial to consider and address any associated conditions that may exacerbate symptoms. Read our tips for managing lactose intolerance and related conditions.

As the above conditions are all related to lactose intolerance, Lacteeze lactase enzymes can assist by addressing the symptoms of lactose intolerance Read about how Lacteeze works.