| If you're seeking to stop flatulence, consider | | | | the same acid of antihistamine fame. Even if you |
| deleting cheese from your diet. | | | | are not allergic to these foods, the histamine they |
| About 30 per cent of the population of North | | | | contain can provoke an allergy-like reaction |
| America (and 50 per cent of Hispanics, 80 per | | | | producing symptoms such as dry eyes, itchy |
| cent of African-Americans, and 90 per cent of | | | | eyes, itchy skin, diarrhea, and, yes, flatulence. |
| Asian-Americans) is lactose intolerant. Lactose | | | | Sometimes it's enough just to avoid eating three |
| intolerance is a hereditary predisposition to lack | | | | or more of these foods together, such as no |
| the enzymes needed to digest the milk sugars, | | | | sausage, cheese, and tomato omelets, no |
| lactose, in dairy products. | | | | sauerkraut with a chili cheese dog. |
| Although cheese doesn't have the highest lactose | | | | And in the elderly, cheese can sometimes cause |
| content among dairy products (Enfamil infant | | | | intestinal function to operate by fits and starts. |
| formula is over 56 per cent lactose by weight, | | | | Cheese slows down the transit of food through |
| most cheeses are about 2 per cent and a cheese | | | | the lower digestive tract. This gives fermentable |
| pizza, for example, only about 1 per cent), | | | | foods more time to ferment and produce gas, |
| avoiding cheese or taking Lactaid is essential for | | | | even in persons who, once again, are not lactose |
| avoiding gas if you can't digest dairy. | | | | intolerant. |
| But what if the problem seems to come and go? | | | | Cheese is a terrific source of calcium and protein, |
| And what if you're not lactose intolerant? | | | | even if it is usually high in fat. Fortunately, eating |
| It turns out cheese combined with other foods | | | | cheese in moderation, without eating other |
| can cause flatulence, too. | | | | high-histamine foods, and taking Lactaid if you |
| Cheese, beer, sauerkraut, salami, sausage, tuna, | | | | need it, can keep you from cutting the cheese. |
| and tomatoes are rich in the amino acid histamine, | | | | |