Before I discovered that I had Celiac Disease, one of the foods I eliminated was dairy. It provided some relief, but it didn’t cure my symptoms. Once I started a strict gluten free diet, I continued to notice that dairy was still an issue. “Fabulous!” I thought, “Do I have a second food allergy or was there some connection between my lactose intolerance and Celiac Disease?” I started to research online. It turns out that lactose intolerance is just one of the many perks of Celiac Disease. =)
Apparently, one of the first things Celiac Disease destroys as it attacks the lining of your small intestines is the villi that digest lactose. Until your intestines heal themselves, you may need to limit your dairy consumption or consult your doctor about adding a lactase enzyme supplement to aid in the digestion of dairy products. The good news, though, is that it’s likely that your tolerance of lactose will eventually return on a gluten free diet as your intestines start to heal! It may take several years, but chances are someday you’ll once again be reunited with your good friends, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, and Ben and Jerry. =)