Feeling bloated after drinking a glass of milk? Well you’re not alone. About 70 percent of the world’s population can’t drink milk or eat dairy products without getting an upset stomach.

Lactose intolerance is genetic and happens most often to people of African, Asian and Mediterranean decent. It’s caused by deficiency of the enzyme lactase that's needed to digest lactose. Undigested lactose lingers in the intestines causing intestinal discomfort including abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea.

Most adults who have trouble digesting lactose can tolerate about one small serving of dairy a day, according to a report from the National Institutes of Health. Many people with lactose intolerance don’t even know they have the condition and are sometimes being misdiagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome.

People who have this condition sometimes find it hard to get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet. If you’re one of these people, try experimenting with small amounts of dairy products or lactase pills. You can also include non dairy calcium rich food in your diet such as beans, leafy greens and calcium fortified foods.

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