Has anyone seen a correlation between lactose intolerance and pouchitis? As in, if lactose is sugar, and sugar helps bacteria grow, does your body's lack of ability to break down the sugar cause problems? I am lactose intolerant, but take Lactaid pills, however I still get some gas from it. I wonder if lactose intolerant people are more prone to pouchitis even if they take Lactaid.
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I also have lactose issues. I am not the best at taking my pills for lactose but I do get lactose free milk. I would not be surprised if there is a larger group with issues with both. I still get gas if I take the pills or not but it seems more manageable.
I find that if I overdue on high-sugar lactose items, like ice-cream or cheesecake, I'm susceptible to pouchitis. Needless to say, I still take lactose pills when I eat them and try not to overdue very often. I consider them a treat not an everyday splurge.
I use unsweetened unflavored almond milk for most of my milk needs. Like those before me, I still get some gas even with lactose pills or lactose free products, yet its much more manageable. (Also I take four lactose tablets whenever I eat a lactose product.) The almond milk works for most things, but I really can't stand the taste of ice cream alternatives, so I'll go with the lactose pills and eat the real deal.
As my Dad used to say "Moderation is key!"