We all start out drinking milk in one way or another. So why do so many of us seem to “grow up” lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance, as you probably know, results in digestive discomfort that comes from consuming lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products.
Most people in the US are born with the ability to digest lactose. Babies naturally produce an enzyme called lactase in their systems that allows them to break down lactose, which is present in breast milk and cow’s milk. Babies who may be lactose intolerant are fed commercially prepared lactose-free formulas, which often contain soy milk.
As the years go by, the incidence of intolerance in the population increases. That’s because our bodies are genetically programmed to produce less and less lactase as we age. Eventually we begin to experience intolerance symptoms when we drink milk or eat ice cream, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, or other dairy products. The symptoms are uncomfortable (gas, bloating, cramps, and diarrhea) and sometimes embarrassing.
Since not all people become lactose intolerant, what determines who is at risk of developing the telltale digestive upset that comes from consuming foods with lactose? Researchers have discovered some interesting findings about lactose intolerance:
Postmenopausal women are more likely to start experiencing intolerance symptoms compared to men of the same age group. However, lactase production slows down as part of the natural aging process for both women and men.
Ethnic ancestry can determine who will develop lactose intolerance. Descendants of Northern European countries are less likely to develop intolerance until later in life. In cultures where dairy products were not normally consumed after weaning, the body naturally produces less of the enzyme lactase. These percentages show the prevalence of lactose intolerance among certain ethnic groups:
•Chinese: 95%
• Native American: 90%
•Asian-Americans: 90%
•South Americans: 75%
•African American: 75%
•Hispanic: 55%
Infections and disorders of the digestive tract can cause a drop in the level of lactase production, if only temporarily. If your body is not making this enzyme, you will likely experience symptoms of intolerance.
Some antibiotics can block the body’s ability to produce lactase while they are in your system.
New research continues to provide us with information about the likelihood of developing lactose intolerance. A statement issued by the National Institutes of Health during its February 2010 conference on “Lactose Intolerance and Health” discusses the prevalence of lactose intolerance by race, ethnicity, and age.
You can also learn more about lactose intolerance from people who have discovered how to successfully cope with it. On the website of Lactagen, a program that makes it possible for people with lactose intolerance to consume dairy products comfortably, people of various ages and ethnicities share their stories: a mother of a child diagnosed with lactose intolerance, a chemotherapy patient and a doctor, among others.
For those who have experienced the digestive discomfort of intolerance and wondered “Why me?” it is comforting to understand the reasons for intolerance. If you’ve longed for the days when you could enjoy dairy, consider exploring programs like Lactagen. You can’t turn back the clock or change your genetic history, but you can target strategies to manage the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
