Unfortunately for people you suffer from gluten intolerance, other food intolerances can be looming around the corner. Some people continue to develop food sensitivities life falling dietary dominos. Many of these become food intolerances that may require a lifelong complete avoidance of the new food in question, in addition to gluten. Not all intolerances are permanent, though.
Link between Gluten and Lactose-Intolerance
Some may be functional and not genetic like gluten intolerant people who become lactose intolerant when the intestinal damage from the gluten consumption interferes with the gut’s ability to produce the lactase enzyme that breaks down the dairy sugar lactose.
When you finally go completely gluten-free for life, you may find that you regain the ability to digest lactose sugar slowly as the intestinal damage from the gluten intolerance or Celiacs heals. This process is very slow, however, and can take up to a year once you have completely eliminated gluten from your diet.
Dairy-free for life or a Cheater
One additional variable for lactose intolerance and gluten is that it is very common for people to simply lose the ability to digest lactose properly. This change may come as you age and may be complete intolerance or just a sensitivity that allows you to continue to eat low lactose foods such as hard cheese without all of the lactose intolerance symptoms like abdominal swelling, stomach pain, gas and bloating.
If all you suffer from is a sensitivity, you may take Lactaid or generic lactase enzymes to prevent milder dairy intolerance symptoms from milk sugar, while also taking things to sooth the digestion like peppermint, coconut and aloe vera, for example.
Lactose or Casein Intolerance
It is also common for people who are gluten intolerant to become dairy protein intolerant. This is usually casein intolerance. If this is the case, you will require a lifelong dairy free diet, even if you are also lactose intolerant. Taking an enzyme supplement will not eliminate the symptoms.
Dairy-free or OTC Meds
You may want to do a dairy challenge where you resume eating some dairy after a year of being gluten-free. See how the results are. Try lactase enzyme and visit your doctor for testing if you fail. There is a chance you will have to be dairy-free for life, though if it turns out to be a casein intolerance and not merely a dairy sugar issue.
Going Vegan or Strict Vegetarian is another option I will mention, since this is a vegan website. If you have to go dairy free since you are intolerant to both gluten and dairy protein, look to your vegan shop or community for support. They will already have hundreds of products that will be safe for you, which will make your transition to dairy-free life without any more lactose or dairy intolerance symptoms a piece of gluten and dairy-free cake!
