How many lactose intolerant people are there in the world

A major challenge in interpreting the data, Sherman noted, was to resolve the puzzle that about 13 lactose-tolerant populations live side-by-side with lactose-intolerant populations in some parts of Africa and the Middle East. All 13 of the populations that can digest dairy yet live in areas that are primarily lactose intolerant were historically migratory groups that moved seasonally, Sherman said.

Their nomadism enabled them to find suitable forage for their cattle and to avoid extreme temperatures. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, some 30 million to 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, including up to 75 percent of African Americans and American Indians and 90 percent of Asian Americans.

Common symptoms include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea that begin about 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods containing the milk sugar lactose. The use of lactase enzyme tablets or drops or lactose-reduced milk and similar products can help the lactose intolerant digest dairy products.

Lactose malabsorption causes the digestive symptoms of lactose intolerance. Not everyone with lactose malabsorption has digestive symptoms after consuming lactose. Only those who have symptoms have lactose intolerance. Treatment for the disorder includes avoiding dairy, the use of lactase supplements such as Lactaid , and the use of lactose-free products.

While treatment can help prevent symptoms, there is no cure for this condition. We have been conditioned by destructive belief systems. I always wanted to have a taste of pure milk. Reading this article , I had a new perspective and definitely some hints. Thanks, Amigo! Woah, never thought that there are a lot of people who are lactose intolerant.

Great article, informative and well written. I respect you for that! I am not lactose intolerant, I am not hurting when I drink cows milk. My family and I grew up on a Bucks County PA farm and we drank milk all our lives with no negative reactions whatsoever. Only people who have symptoms are lactose intolerant. Most people with lactose intolerance can consume some amount of lactose without having symptoms. Different people can tolerate different amounts of lactose before having symptoms.

Lactose intolerance is different from a milk allergy. A milk allergy is an immune system disorder. While most infants can digest lactose, many people begin to develop lactose malabsorption—a reduced ability to digest lactose—after infancy. Lactose malabsorption is more common in some parts of the world than in others.