Lactose Intolerance Affects Many

by Abigail Knowles Wolfe (BPRW)

Lactose intolerance is most often defined as an individual’s inability to metabolize lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. A required enzyme for breaking down the lactose, called lactase, is typically absent or minimal in lactose intolerant people. Up to 80% of African Americans are estimated to be lactose intolerant according to the NDDIC (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse) as certain ethnic and racial groups are more affected than others. Even greater numbers of lactose intolerant people are present in Asian American and American Indian populations.

Eating dairy products tends to be fairly uncomfortable for individuals unable to digest lactose and the common symptoms range from mild discomfort to the severe. The month of June is Dairy Alternative Month each year, perhaps providing hope for all individuals with lactose intolerance. Soymilk and lactose free milk are now available in most grocery stores for the 30 to 50 million lactose intolerant Americans out there.

As people become more and more aware of conditions such as lactose intolerance, those suffering from such conditions may breathe a sigh of relief, especially the children with this condition who were once compelled to drink milk at school in daycare much to their discomfort. Understanding what keeps our bodies at their best and the types of food products our bodies just can’t handle is important to continued health and well-being for all.