Gastroenterologist Lyudmila Sukhorukova spoke about the reasons to refuse to consume healthy fermented milk products, which are relevant for some people.
In a conversation with RIA Novosti, doctor Sukhorukova explained the need to give up kefir, fermented baked milk and yogurts – products that are healthy in many ways. The doctor noted: despite the positive properties of these fermented milk products, in some cases they should not be present in the diet. A good reason for giving them up is lactose intolerance or an existing allergy to casein (milk protein), the expert explained.
Sukhorukova clarified that people with insufficient production of the lactase enzyme in the body, which is necessary for its breakdown, suffer from lactose intolerance (milk sugar).
“With lactase deficiency, this enzyme is not produced enough, which is why milk sugar is not broken down completely or is not broken down at all. Which leads to unpleasant symptoms: rumbling in the stomach, pain, bloating,” the doctor shared.
Sukhorukova noted that sometimes the lactase enzyme is not only not produced in the required volume, but is completely absent. For people with this feature, any amount of milk will cause discomfort. For them, the only option is to consume exclusively lactose-free dairy products.
“Lactose intolerance is often found in young children, especially premature babies. However, lactose intolerance can also appear in adulthood,” the expert warned.
Another reason to avoid milk-based products is an allergy to the milk protein casein. You can recognize it by symptoms such as skin rash and intestinal upset, the doctor added.
If there is no milk intolerance or allergy, dairy and fermented milk products should be included in the diet – they give the body the necessary protein, calcium, phosphorus, many vitamins that are important for the immune system. Specifically, kefir, fermented baked milk and yogurt are, among other things, a source of lactic acid bacteria that improve the condition of intestinal microorganisms, on which many aspects of health depend.
Earlier, the MedikForum.ru portal wrote about the amount of dairy products you need to consume daily – nutritionist Antonina Starodubova spoke about this.
Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and do not self-medicate under any circumstances. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.
Lyudmila Sukhorukova Healthy lifestyle gastroenterologist at the Vidnovskaya Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region