Lactase deficiency in Indians

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Abstract
Intestinal biopsies, disaccharidase assays, and lactose tolerance tests were performed on Indian adults and children of different ages. The results showed an isolated lactase deficiency in all the adult subjects and lactose intolerance in 50% of them. Skim milk supplementation for 4 weeks had no effect on lactase activity. The incidence of lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance was lower in children. Twenty out of fifty-four children were intolerant to a lactose load of 2 g/kg but none of the eight retested with 1 g/kg had symptoms. Only 4 out of 20 intolerant children had symptoms when milk containing an equivalent amount of lactose was given and even in these children symptoms disappeared when the milk was given in divided doses. The results of these studies clearly show that lactose intolerance does not necessarily imply milk intolerance. The incidence of lactose intolerance and low levels of lactase activity therefore are not reliable guides to assess milk tolerance and the use of skim milk to improve the dietaries of poorer sections of the population should not be based on these considerations.