Suspect lactose problem? Play detective

We don’t recommend eating a lot of cheese because it’s loaded with saturated fats and proteins that might cause changes in your gut microbiome and stimulate inflammation. But we also know that it’s a food that inspires passionate opinion based on texture, taste and smell.

These days, as the population ages, more and more people are developing lactose intolerance. The sale of lactose-free products in the U.S. is expected to double from 2016 to 2020 and reach revenues of $700 million annually.

“Lactose intolerance” means you’re unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in milk, and you end up with potentially severe diarrhea, gas and bloating. So cheese, yogurt and milk chocolate are off the menu.

If you suspect that you’re having gut problems after eating dairy, go on a fiveday elimination diet. Ex out all dairy; make sure to read ingredient labels, as milk often is sneaked into prepared foods. Then add a bit of dairy (low-fat, please) back into your diet to see when or if you have symptoms.

If you turn out to be intolerant, you will stop eating dairy. Just look at it this way: You’re spared the heart-, brain- and gut-damaging effects of all that sat fat.

And there are healthy dairy alternatives: almond and soymilk, and tofu.

Don’t go bankrupt when drinking

Plenty of people are making costly mistakes while inebriated.

A survey by Finder.com estimates that Americans are paying the price for decisions made while under the influence — more than $30 billion to be precise — spent on what the researchers call “drunk purchases.”

The survey also reveals that almost 50 percent of Americans who drink regularly

(68 million adults) admit to making purchases while drunk. The most common expenditure is for food, followed by shoes and clothes.

If you have a problem with alcohol (either as a binger or a steady drinker), seek help from a 12-step program or individual therapy, and get support from friends and family.

To help prevent drunk spending …

If you come home tipsy, stay off your computer. Retailers are offering more sales after 9 p.m. to corner the drunk market. Yes, you will be targeted. And remove presaved passwords or credit cards from shopping/food-delivery accounts. You don’t want to wake up “the morning after” and discover a huge hit to your bank account!

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.