Are You Lactose Intolerant? Help!

Diet and Nutrition
1

Do you take protein supps? What works for you, or doesn’t?

PVL has “Whey Gold” which is 99.9% lactose free, and has lactase in it… Might be good.

Muscle Milk supposedly has 0 lactose. (doesn’t mean 0.00 though)

What if I just pop Lactase pills and take a normal whey powder. (i would probably take an isolate though… better absorption, lower lactose)

I’ve been making good gains on food alone, creatine and various vitamins… I really want to up my protein, but REALLY don’t want cramping, or diarrhea.

Any suggestions?

(this lactose intolerance is a new thing, i figured it out about a year ago. previous to that i took many different kinds of whey powders, and man, did i love cottage cheese… fate can be a cruel beeaachh…)

2

[quote]mithious wrote:
Do you take protein supps? What works for you, or doesn’t?

PVL has “Whey Gold” which is 99.9% lactose free, and has lactase in it… Might be good.

Muscle Milk supposedly has 0 lactose. (doesn’t mean 0.00 though)

What if I just pop Lactase pills and take a normal whey powder. (i would probably take an isolate though… better absorption, lower lactose)

I’ve been making good gains on food alone, creatine and various vitamins… I really want to up my protein, but REALLY don’t want cramping, or diarrhea.

Any suggestions?

(this lactose intolerance is a new thing, i figured it out about a year ago. previous to that i took many different kinds of whey powders, and man, did i love cottage cheese… fate can be a cruel beeaachh…)[/quote]

I am lactose intolerant. I have probably tried most major protein supplement brands on the market at one point or another. Right now, I have settled on Labrada’s Company (ex-Olympia runner up who now lives in Texas) and his Lean Body supplements as being the least reactive. I ran out last week after forgetting to get more in time and went to a supplement store (for the first time in over a year) to get “emergency protein”. My stomach can’t handle it. I forgot what it was like before finding something that agrees with me.

While Biotest’s Metabolic Drive protein is a good buy to many, the negatives for me (considering the limited time during the day in between patients lately to get a shake down) is the thickness of it. I can drink over 70gr of protein in a little over a minute with the Lean Body ‘Pro V 60’ added to their meal replacement. It would take me several minutes to suck down much less protein from Biotest due to the thickness of it.

If you have the time, maybe Biotest’s Metabolic Drive would be a better choice for you. I personally need more protein at once (considering my size) at a much faster rate than that allows.

My stomach seems to handle both brands mixed with water fairly equally.

In the past, I used mostly milk when gaining (added to any protein powder) but in the form of Lactaid Brand.

3

I like to rotate brands and find when I consume casein for to long I get stomach upset ,and some water retention.

just keep rotating and find what works for you.

I absolutely cant eat cottage cheese I bloat out.

4

[quote]Mod Brian wrote:
I’m lactose intolerant and have never had any problems with Metabolic Drive.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply. I always assumed that I couldn’t do Metabolic Drive, but then, I never checked the ingredients.

I’ll put some in my next order.

5

As previously mentioned Metabolic Drive (I used the old Grow! but I assume it’s the same) did not cause any problems for me and I’ve had difficulties with products claiming to have 0.3g of lactose per 100g.

Otherwise I use egg white powder with cocoa and sugar.

6

[quote]Professor X wrote:

I am lactose intolerant. I have probably tried most major protein supplement brands on the market at one point or another. Right now, I have settled on Labrada’s Company (ex-Olympia runner up who now lives in Texas) and his Lean Body supplements as being the least reactive. I ran out last week after forgetting to get more in time and went to a supplement store (for the first time in over a year) to get “emergency protein”. My stomach can’t handle it. I forgot what it was like before finding something that agrees with me.

While Biotest’s Metabolic Drive protein is a good buy to many, the negatives for me (considering the limited time during the day in between patients lately to get a shake down) is the thickness of it. I can drink over 70gr of protein in a little over a minute with the Lean Body ‘Pro V 60’ added to their meal replacement. It would take me several minutes to suck down much less protein from Biotest due to the thickness of it.

If you have the time, maybe Biotest’s Metabolic Drive would be a better choice for you. I personally need more protein at once (considering my size) at a much faster rate than that allows.

My stomach seems to handle both brands mixed with water fairly equally.

In the past, I used mostly milk when gaining (added to any protein powder) but in the form of Lactaid Brand.[/quote]

Thanks for the lengthy reply!

I’ve heard great things about Labrada Nutrition before. (and of course I remember him) So I’ll test it out, assuming I can find it for an reasonable price.

And the Lactaid too… Good idea.

Also, knowing there are more lifters out there with lactose intolerance gives me a motivation boost.

7

[quote]Vyapada wrote:
As previously mentioned Metabolic Drive (I used the old Grow! but I assume it’s the same) did not cause any problems for me and I’ve had difficulties with products claiming to have 0.3g of lactose per 100g.

Otherwise I use egg white powder with cocoa and sugar.[/quote]

I didn’t even know you could get egg white powder…

You know I used to work in a supplement store? And I’m still learning more from THIS site.

T-Nation friggin’ rules.

8

Just to add, if I had known earlier on how important the above product (or one like it) is as far as absorption and digestion of all of these supplements as a beginner, I am sure my progress would have increased dramatically. Fiber supplements need to be more important than Creatine in my opinion for most lifters, especially those over 200lbs. The more food you require to grow, the more important it is.

I know that may be of least importance to someone who is just squeaking by in college. Obviously, this is more important to those who are actually carrying more lean body mass than average.

9

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Just to add, if I had known earlier on how important the above product (or one like it) is as far as absorption and digestion of all of these supplements as a beginner, I am sure my progress would have increased dramatically. Fiber supplements need to be more important than Creatine in my opinion for most lifters, especially those over 200lbs. The more food you require to grow, the more important it is.

I know that may be of least importance to someone who is just squeaking by in college. Obviously, this is more important to those who are actually carrying more lean body mass than average.[/quote]

Since I’ve been primarily eating whole foods only, I’ve really tried to focus on vegi’s, fruits, and high-fibre complex carbs. My digestion - and stomach feel - is always better when I get this right.

I’ve tried fibre supps before, and am considering again… Embarrasingly the thought of choking on the supplement always caused me some anxiety, and I was less likely to take it.

What do you think about plant enzymes or betaine for digestion?

10

[quote]mithious wrote:

I’ve tried fibre supps before, and am considering again… Embarrasingly the thought of choking on the supplement always caused me some anxiety, and I was less likely to take it.

What do you think about plant enzymes or betaine for digestion?
[/quote]

I think they are LESS important than giving your body what it needs in foods you eat to digest properly. If anything, I would focus on bacterial cultures that aid in digestion, but you are talking about the end of the list in terms of what I consider “important”. I personally wouldn’t waste the money unless I was basing my entire financial future on my physical development.

As far as choking on fiber supplements, the one I posted is flavorless and dissolves completely. I add it to my protein shakes and it is like it isn’t there. This isn’t the 1950’s.

11

I’ll second the Professor on this. You can mix Benefiber in a glass of water and not tell a difference.

12

I’m also lactose intolerant, and I find calcium caseinate is a good choice. It has approx 0.3g lactose per 100g. By itself, it causes no problems at all, but due to it’s poor mixability I usually mix it with unflavoured whey concentrate (which has approx 5g lactose per 100g) and experience very minor symptoms.

13

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Just to add, if I had known earlier on how important the above product (or one like it) is as far as absorption and digestion of all of these supplements as a beginner, I am sure my progress would have increased dramatically. Fiber supplements need to be more important than Creatine in my opinion for most lifters, especially those over 200lbs. The more food you require to grow, the more important it is.

I know that may be of least importance to someone who is just squeaking by in college. Obviously, this is more important to those who are actually carrying more lean body mass than average.[/quote]

How much fiber do you recommend? Best to take with meals or in between? How much more significant is the fiber for the digestion of supplements and food? For whatever reason I was under the impression that fiber can hinder absorption of certain supplements like vitamins. I never would have put much into fiber being that important.

14

[quote]jdrannin1 wrote:

How much fiber do you recommend? Best to take with meals or in between? How much more significant is the fiber for the digestion of supplements and food? For whatever reason I was under the impression that fiber can hinder absorption of certain supplements like vitamins. I never would have put much into fiber being that important. [/quote]

The AHA lists a recommended intake of around 25-30gr a day. Many people are getting much less than that, especially if they are like some on this forum and getting much of their food from meal replacements as if they don’t need real food at all. You are asking for specifics that go for all people and, I’m sorry, but that just doesn’t make much sense considering the limited research in what larger than average - weight lifting - six meal a day - bodybuilders need for optimal growth.

I would base that decision more on how your body seems to digest the foods you eat which comes from EXPERIENCE. If you are getting diarrhea every single day from your food intake or extremely loose bowel movements, you probably need more fiber.

Like said previously, this is more of a concern for LARGER bodybuilders because of the increased food intake and needs.

As far as what you wrote about absorption, soluble fiber increases absorption of minerals and vitamins by slowing digestion. It also helps stabilize blood sugar by the same means.

15

I also thought I was lactose intolerant but I can’t even digest 100% Lactaid type milk products. I even tried that new Activia yougurt with the beneficial cultures that supposedly put your good bacteria in balance within a week, and I was doubled over in gas pain after an hour.

I haven’t found any protein powders on the market that don’t bother me other than Isopure pure whey protein . All meal replacement powders like Myoplex or MetRx go right through me in an hour. Haven’t tried Metabolic Drive yet, but Surge didn’t give me a problem.

I’m a little better with lactaid cottage cheese but not 100%. Anyone have any ideas as to what my problem is. This is really frustrating because I’m limited to only whey and cooked proteins from meat, chicken and fish, and that’s a real pain in the ass when you’re in a rush or want to get a lot of meals in. Proffesor X any guesses?

16

[quote]as wrote:
I also thought I was lactose intolerant but I can’t even digest 100% Lactaid type milk products. I even tried that new Activia yougurt with the beneficial cultures that supposedly put your good bacteria in balance within a week, and I was doubled over in gas pain after an hour.

I haven’t found any protein powders on the market that don’t bother me other than Isopure pure whey protein . All meal replacement powders like Myoplex or MetRx go right through me in an hour. Haven’t tried Metabolic Drive yet, but Surge didn’t give me a problem.

I’m a little better with lactaid cottage cheese but not 100%. Anyone have any ideas as to what my problem is. This is really frustrating because I’m limited to only whey and cooked proteins from meat, chicken and fish, and that’s a real pain in the ass when you’re in a rush or want to get a lot of meals in. Proffesor X any guesses?[/quote]

Have you determined that you are not allegic to milk? Check out the wikipedea entry for lactose intolorance, it may shed some light.

I used to be in a position similar to yours, which is why I just got fed up and gave up dairy completely.

17

I am allergic to milk, but I find that by using 2 lactaid pills at a time that I can stomach some milk and it will only leave me extremely gassy but I am not having the massive pain and running to the toilet every 5 seconds.

I know the easy answer is " don’t drink milk" but man you can’t beat it for the calories and the protien and the cost. It wasn’t until I started drinking milk daily (32-64 ounces a day for me)that I was able to break past 157 lbs and on into 171 lbs. So for a skinny guy like me who has never been an eater and is not one who enjoys eating, the milk discovery was a blessing.

Try the double lactaid trick and see if it works for you. If it doesn’t well it was just one more “crappy” day =p

18

Great thread, I wanted to look up lactose intolerance for my brother since he’s refusing to touch any Biotest protein because of the lactose involved. Thanks to all those that gave input on the subject. Kudos Prof X!

19

I’m lactose intolerant as well but I love all the protein here at Biotest. Like prof X I have also tried V-60 and it too worked well for me.

The pills work however, I have been feeling 100% better since I took out all lactose containing foods (cheese, milk, yogurt).

Anyway you aren’t alone out there by any means!

20

[quote]mithious wrote:
Vyapada wrote:
As previously mentioned Metabolic Drive (I used the old Grow! but I assume it’s the same) did not cause any problems for me and I’ve had difficulties with products claiming to have 0.3g of lactose per 100g.

Otherwise I use egg white powder with cocoa and sugar.

I didn’t even know you could get egg white powder…

You know I used to work in a supplement store? And I’m still learning more from THIS site.

T-Nation friggin’ rules.[/quote]

I have a severe case of lactose intolerance, and IBS as well; which is in part triggered by fructose.

Anyway, yes. You can buy egg white powder. I buy it in bulk.

You will need to mix cocoa powder or karob.