LACTOSE INTOLERANT

Authored by Matthew Howard, Owner and Director of Dr. Howards Way Diet PVT LTD.

It becomes challenging for the individuals who are suffering from this condition, to get all the amino acids. Whey is derived from milk, as are most protein powders that are on the market today. But some products with whey are not obvious dairy products or food items that people typically associate with lactose intolerance. So it is important to keep an eye on those ingredient lists while shopping. Ice cream and yogurt are some of the products you will have to watch. If you are also a vegetarian then things can become a lot more complicated for you! If you suffer from a milk allergy instead of just lactose intolerance, then the list of items you should avoid will be far greater in volume; some individuals with lactose intolerance can actually consume many foods and drinks with milk-derived products or small amounts of whey without experiencing side effects.

What can you do to stay fit and healthy if you’re a vegetarian who suffers from lactose intolerance? Well, what does your body need daily? In chronological order: water, vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids (EFA’s) amino acids (20 in human enzyme synthesis). So, there are 20 amino acids that link together to form peptides which are then linked together to form proteins.  There are thousands of different proteins that carry out a huge number of functions in our bodies, some say that only 10 are essential and that you can synthesize the other 10. We believe that it is more efficient to ingest all 20 amino acids rather than relying upon complex physiological interactions. So how does the group we are discussing do this? The first option we would go for is whole egg protein powder as this will not only deliver all 20 amino’s but also EFA’s, Vitamin B12, Phosphorus, and Selenium.

The second option that many will encounter is Soya isolates and other Soy products, although we would advise caution here for two reasons. Soya products are a contentious issue!
Soybeans are almost a complete protein source and a dietary staple in many cultures, although Soy contains phytoestrogens that mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen in your body and lower testosterone levels. This will give you a propensity to hold water and store body fat more readily. THIS IS NOT GOOD IN MEN! Soy isoflavones activate your body’s estrogen receptors, proteins that detect the presence of estrogen and carry out effects such as changes in gene expression. Soya beans also have a very bitter metallic taste in their natural state and thus they are washed with some extremely nasty chemicals to clear the end products of this taste, and these chemicals are obviously found in residual amounts in the final product! It also lacks sufficient levels of methionine, an essential sulfur-containing amino acid, which is in our mind “the queen of the amino acids”! Soy is NOT the health food we are led to believe that it is according to Dr. Kaayla.T.Daniel /Ph.D. who wrote a groundbreaking expose that tells the truth about soy that scientists know but that the soy industry with its mega finance has tried to suppress. Soy is not health food, does not prevent disease and has not even been proven safe. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies link soy to malnutrition, digestive problems, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders, even heart disease, and cancer. Another problem is the oil from the bean is hydrogenated during processing, producing “trans fats” with their deleterious health effects on all our cell membranes!

Ok, so what can we do in this situation apart from whole egg protein powders? Well, Hemp seed is a very good source of Amino acids and EFA’s and there are now protein powders made from hemp seed available in the market. There are some whey protein powders that are lactose-free as well, for example, Hydro-whey platinum.

Plant sources of protein are incomplete. They are missing certain essential amino acids or have low levels. When you have something with incomplete protein, like almond milk, brown rice, beans or legumes, your digestive tract pulls various essential amino acids from the foods and puts them together as needed. As long as you have multiple protein sources at some point in the day, your body can get all of the necessary essential amino acids but you will need to watch out as it can often lead to over-consumption of calories. I would definitely back off on the carbohydrate-rich foods if this plant-based food group is the option you choose!

Vegetarian foods that will increase testosterone

Good sources are: Resveratrol, found in grape skins, cruciferous vegetables such as Broccoli and Kale is very high in DIM (diindolylmethane), this will help lower levels of estrogen. Folic acid, potassium, and vitamin E are also good. Having said that, the entire spectrum of vitamins and minerals should be consumed daily as many have a vital role in the construction of testosterone. We personally recommend ultra-mega for men by GNC with an extra 3000mg of Vit-C taken 1000mg 3 times a day (to be agreed by your Doctor first), Whole egg protein powder, flax oil, hemp oil and also bromelain from pineapples.

If you’re obese, dropping the excess kilos will increase your testosterone levels, as was shown at the Endocrine Society’s 2012 Congress. Overweight men are more likely to have low testosterone levels. FACT!