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Nutrition

Whey Protein and Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance has gained increasing attention in recent years. But what is lactose intolerance? And will you be able to enjoy the benefits of whey protein if you are lactose intolerant?

What is lactose?

Lactose is a particular type of sugar that only occurs in milk. To digest it you need an enzyme called lactase that is normally produced by the body. If your lactase production becomes too low, it can affect lactose digestion.

What causes lactose intolerance?

Lactase production generally decreases with age but to different degrees. Therefore, only some adults experience trouble digesting lactose. Genetic variations, as well as some diseases and types of medicine, can also reduce or completely stop lactose production.

Prevalence of lactose intolerance

The prevalence of lactose intolerance differs across the world. In general, countries with a tradition of drinking milk have lower rates of lactose intolerance.

What if you’re lactose intolerant?

Studies show that most people can tolerate 5 g of lactose per single dose1, which should make whey protein products suitable for most people. However, the degree of lactose tolerance differs from person to person. If you are unsure about your lactose tolerance, your doctor can determinate your threshold level.

The content of lactose in whey protein compared to other products

How to ease lactose digestion

Eating dairy foods containing lactose in combination with foods from other groups may ease lactose digestion. Another option if you do not produce enough of the lactase enzyme is to use a lactase-supplement


  1. Shaukat A., Lewitt M.D., Taylor B.C., MacDonald R., Shamliyan T.A., Kane R.L., Wilt T.J. Systematic review: Effective management strategies for lactose intolerance. Ann. Intern. Med. 2010;152:797-803. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-12-201006150-00241.

    Fassio F, Facioni MS, Guagnini F. Lactose Maldigestion, Malabsorption, and Intolerance: A Comprehensive Review with a Focus on Current Management ans Future Perspectives. Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1599. Published 2018 Nov 1. doi: 10.3390/nu10111599
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