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A 44-year-old female asked:
Is advisable to take a digestive enzyme or probiotic for bloating and gas. especially if one suspects lactose intolerance. and which one is the best to take?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Enzyme=yes: Lactose intolerance is usually because the person does not make the enzyme needed to digest lactose. Germs in the gut then use it for food & trigger gas/acidic stools. Probiotics do not change that. There are over the counter pills that contain the enzyme & taking them can help. Products under names like lactaid would be what I would use. Probiotics won't hurt, but I doubt they could help.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
19 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 51 years experience
Evaluation: There is lack of objective evidence for the usefulness of probiotics.
Your doctor could evaluate you to see if you have lactose intolerance. You could do a trial by abstaining from all dairy products for a week. if the bloating and gas goes away, take milk and if it comes back, you have lactose intolerance.
Wish you good health!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
19 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 13, 2020
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