Is acidophilus milk safe for people with lactose intolerance?

Does acidophilus milk help lactose intolerance?

Not reliably. Sweet acidophilus milk is ordinary milk to which Lactobacillus acidophilus is added without fermenting it, so it tastes like regular milk. Because fermentation is what lowers lactose in yogurt, this milk is believed to keep close to the lactose of regular milk. A 1987 breath-hydrogen study of 14 people reported that, unlike yogurt, sweet acidophilus milk did not enhance lactose digestion. Other studies suggest results depend on the bacterial strain, so evidence is mixed.

Is it safe to drink?

It is a pasteurized dairy product and normally safe. The risk for a lactose-intolerant person is not poison but symptoms: gas, bloating, cramps or diarrhea. Anyone with a milk allergy must avoid it completely, because lactose intolerance and milk allergy are different conditions.

What works better

• Lactose-free milk: the lactose is already broken down. The NIDDK lists lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk as options.
• Yogurt and hard cheese: the NIDDK says they are lower in lactose than other milk products.
• Lactase tablets or drops: NIDDK suggests trying lactase products.
• Small portions with meals: many people can handle about 12 grams of lactose (roughly 1 cup of milk) with mild or no symptoms, per NIDDK.

How to test your own tolerance

1. Try a half glass with a meal.
2. Wait a few hours and note symptoms.
3. Increase slowly if you feel fine.

Keep calcium up

If you cut dairy, NIDDK suggests calcium from canned salmon or sardines, leafy greens, tofu and calcium-added foods, and advises talking to a doctor or dietitian.

When to see a doctor

Persistent diarrhea, weight loss, blood in stool or severe pain may not be lactose intolerance. See a doctor. This page is general information, not medical advice.