Doctor Shares Unconventional Method for Managing Lactose Intolerance

There are many foods I could go without. But dairy is a different story. I empathize with my friends who are lactose intolerant, unable to savor their favorite ice cream on a scorching summer day or the delectable cheeses from a charcuterie board.

I've also witnessed them break down and eat their favorite foods, only to regret this decision a short time later. It's a vicious cycle that can be hard to break. However, as one doctor points out, there may be a way to help curb this common problem.

Listen to his unexpected advice in this video shared on June 19:

This is fascinating to learn, and it makes sense. Dr. Karan Raj (@ dr.karanr ) jokes that if you are lactose intolerant but would like to eat dairy without "Jackson Pollocking your pants," there may be a way to do it, but it will take a little time.

Related: Woman's Reaction to Having Dairy for the First Time in 7 Years Is Priceless

How Consuming Dairy Can Help With Lactose Intolerance

Although it may be hard to believe, Dr. Raj explains that eating small amounts of dairy on a regular basis "Can actually help the gut adapt and reduce symptoms over time." He reveals that this is due to colonic adaptation, and "Regular exposure increases the growth of lactose-digesting bacteria in your colonic microbiome." He reports we can also enhance this colonic adaptation by consuming probiotic-rich foods. These live bacterial cultures produce their own lactase, the enzyme needed to process lactose. We can find these beneficial enzymes in foods like sauerkraut and dairy products like fermented kefir or yogurt. He points out that fermented dairy products naturally contain "less lactose because they are predigested by the good bugs." Aged cheeses , such as Swiss or Parmesan, also have less lactose and are potentially easier to digest. Finally, he advises eating small amounts of dairy along with other foods. This slows down stomach emptying and gives the overworked lactase enzyme in the small intestine more time to digest the lactose.

An article written by Abbi Smith, MA, RD, LD for Purdue University confirms that the amount of lactose a person can tolerate can be changed. If you are highly sensitive, she advises beginning with a quarter cup of milk with a meal and then slowly increasing the amount after a few days. However, she cautions that doubling up on dairy will not speed up this process, and in fact, having a meal with both cheese and milk could make unwanted symptoms more likely to appear.

If you've been wishing you could enjoy dairy again, this desensitization method might be worth a try. However, ensuring you're at home when you begin may be best.