Lactose intolerance is very common—approximately 50 million people in the United States have the condition.1 Worldwide, 70% of adults have some degree of lactose intolerance.2
Lactose intolerance occurs more often in Native Americans and people of Asian, African, and South American descent than among people of European descent. Experts believe that lactose intolerance is directly related to how long ago a person's ancestors were introduced to dairy products.
References
Citations
McQuaid KR (2007). Lactase deficiency section of Alimentary tract. In LM Tierney et al., eds., Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 46th ed., pp. 619–620. New York: Lange Medical/McGraw-Hill.
Beyer PL (2004). Lactase deficiency section of Medical nutrition therapy for lower gastrointestinal tract disorders. In LK Mahan, S Escott-Stump, eds., Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy, 11th ed., pp. 705–737. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
| Last Updated | August 15, 2007 |
