Lactose Intolerance

Lactose Intolerance and Chiropractic Care from a Chiropractor Near You in Naperville, IL

Lactose intolerance is more common than most people realize. At Giaquinto Chiropractic and Digestion Center, your chiropractor in Naperville, IL, we take a full-body approach to digestion, and that includes understanding how issues like lactose intolerance can ripple through your system. Here's what you need to know:

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance happens when your small intestine doesn’t make enough of an enzyme called lactase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. Without enough lactase, the lactose passes undigested into your colon, where it interacts with gut bacteria and causes symptoms.

Unlike a dairy allergy—which involves the immune system—lactose intolerance is a digestive issue. It's not dangerous, but it can be disruptive not just to your digestive system body the whole body, especially if it goes undiagnosed.

Signs to Pay Attention to

Symptoms typically appear 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating dairy. They can vary from mild to severe depending on how much lactose you consume and how sensitive your system is.

Most people report:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea

Some people also experience fatigue or mental fogginess, likely due to the gut-brain connection. When your digestive system is irritated, the effects can extend beyond your stomach.

Why It Develops

Lactose intolerance can be genetic, especially in people of East Asian, African, Native American, and Hispanic descent. It can also develop over time as your body naturally produces less lactase with age. In some cases, illness or injury to the small intestine can trigger it, particularly after infections or long-term inflammation.  Lactose intolerance can stem from a subclinical undiagnosed digestive problem.  If you have a hard time digesting carbohydrates, proteins or fat, this can lead to leaky gut issues, dysbiosis and inflammation in your small intestine.  The inflammation can damage the lining of your small intestine where lactase is secreted.  A damaged intestine lining can't secrete lactase and leads to symptoms.

From a chiropractic and functional digestion perspective, chronic irritation in the gut can affect posture, nerve function, and overall wellness. A digestive imbalance like lactose intolerance doesn’t just stay in the belly—it can throw your whole system off track.

Managing Lactose Intolerance

At Giaquinto Chiropractic and Digestion Center, we evaluate posture, spinal alignment, and gut health together. In some cases, improving nervous system function can help reduce digestive stress.  Dr. Keith can help you strengthen your digestion system.  He does this by finding the root cause of the digestion problem, heal leaky gut and the lining of the small intestine and restoring the microbiome. This can correct the lactose intolerance problem.  

Visit Us to Learn More about Digestive Health Chiropractic Care, Gut Health, Enzyme Therapy, Intestinal Health, and Internal Health from a Chiropractor Near You

If dairy consistently makes you feel unwell, it’s worth investigating. You can correct lactose intolerance, but ignoring it can lead to long-term discomfort and nutritional gaps. Your digestive health plays a central role in how your whole body feels and functions. Call us at (630) 246-2627 for digestive health chiropractic care, gut health, enzyme therapy, intestinal health, and internal health from a chiropractor near you. We at Giaquinto Chiropractic and Digestion Center, your chiropractor in Naperville, IL, are here to help.