Lactose maldigestion or intolerance describes a reduced ability to digest the milk sugar - lactose - due to low levels of the enzyme, lactase, in the gut.
In people who have this condition, consumption of certain amounts of lactose tends to produce symptoms such as bloating, production of gas, stomach cramps and diarrhoea which can be painful and unpleasant.
For this reason dairy products are often avoided by this section of the population and this can compromise requirements for nutrients such as calcium and phosphorous towards which dairy products make a significant dietary contribution.
Evidence has shown that regular consumption of small amounts of dairy foods such as milk, as part of a meal, can be well tolerated and may even improve symptoms.
However, as previously mentioned cheese has particularly low lactose content compared with other dairy foods. It is therefore well tolerated by those who suffer with lactose maldigestion or lactose intolerance and provides them with the nutrients in dairy foods.