In a study of 30 people who self-diagnosed as severely lactose intolerant, 30 percent could absorb lactose, according to the Dairy Council in the UK. The website states that, "most lactose maldigesters can include sufficient milk and dairy foods within their diet to meet nutrient requirements, with small and manageable manipulation of the types and amounts of dairy foods consumed." 

Dietary Changes to Manage Lactose Intolerance 

The first step in managing lactose intolerance is to adjust your diet. Just remember that what works for some people may not work for others. It depends on the severity of the symptoms you experience. 

In a post to NoMilk.com, one woman writes that she switched to a gluten-free diet and was able then to tolerate milk products better, but this isn't the case for everyone. "Yogurt and aged cheeses are more easily tolerated because some of the lactose has been converted to lactic acid. One rule of thumb is that the higher the fat content of the dairy product, the lower the lactose level," she wrote. 

Other foods can assist with digestion. Hard cheeses tend to be the easiest form of milk products to digest, for example. Soy products can be used as a milk substitute and are readily available. Yogurt has bacterial cultures that can increase enzymes and break down the lactose in milk products for easier digestion.