Do you feel the effects of digestive issues?
Stomach issues are affecting 4 in 10 of us as the nation suffers in silence, according to new research.
Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt are the most common cause of discomfort, found the research.
Respondents, from the research commissioned by Lactofree, admitted that they regularly suffer wind, bloating, cramps and diarrhoea.
The research shows that dairy products are the primary cause of digestive discomfort, with 9% saying they’ve had difficulty digesting it and 11% now avoid dairy products which contain lactose. Despite this, only 2% of UK adults have officially been diagnosed by a healthcare professional as having an intolerance to the lactose found in dairy products, and only 2% of those who avoid dairy say they do so because they are allergic.
Not only are some people failing to investigate their symptoms with their doctor, it is clear that there is a lack of awareness amongst consumers about the conditions which may be causing them to experience the symptoms identified. For example, over a quarter of those surveyed do not believe there to be a difference between lactose intolerance and IBS and almost a third didn’t know.
Dr Adam Fox, one of the UKs leading allergy expert says: “Research reveals that a great number of people are regularly experiencing symptoms which are synonymous with lactose intolerance, and yet understanding and diagnosis of the condition is extremely limited. As people become increasingly comfortable to self-diagnose themselves it is extremely important people understand the reasons behind their symptoms. What we don’t want to see is people dismissing vital food groups unnecessarily, which would result in them missing out on vitamins and nutrients essential for a healthy lifestyle.”