[Lactose: beneficial or harmful? Evidence-based dietary approaches]

The consumption of milk and derivatives is essential throughout life. Lactose plays a significant role due to its prebiotic effect, potential implications for the gut microbiota, and impact on bone and gastrointestinal health. Therefore, it should not be avoided unless a medical condition justifies it. It is crucial to distinguish between lactase non-persistence, lactose malabsorption, and lactose intolerance. A proper diagnosis should be the starting point to prevent the unnecessary removal of milk, dairy products, or lactose from the diet due to trends or misinformation rather than actual intolerance. The primary strategy for managing lactose intolerance is to mitigate symptom severity through dietary modifications while ensuring adequate nutrient intake.