Lactose Intolerance In African Americans

     Most of us do not realize the number of people that are lactose intolerant. Worldwide estimates suggest that two-thirds of the population have trouble digesting milk because of lactose intolerance. According to Teacher Magazine, minorities may have difficulty digesting a sugar in milk known as lactose. An estimated ninety percent of Asian Americans, seventy percent of African Americans and Native Americans, fifty percent of Hispanics, and fifteen percent of Caucasians are lactose intolerant. Hand in hand with lactose

People who are lactose intolerant do not have the ability to digest the sugars found in dairy products. The small intestine does not produce enough of the chemical needed to diagnose milk. A lack of lactase in the small intestine causes sugars from dairy to seep into the colon. Gastrointestinal problems occur when the sugars produce excess gas in the colon. Scientists estimate sixty five percent of the general population cannot properly digest lactose.

I, Dr. Barrios, diagnose my patient, Pei, with being lactose intolerant. When the test results for the lactose tolerance test came back from the clinic lab, Pei’s blood glucose level did not rise. When this result occurs, it usually means the patient is lactose intolerant. Pei shows symptoms of lactose intolerance, and she tested possibly positive for being lactose intolerance. Further testing could be done to ensure that Pei is indeed lactose intolerant; however, from the test results obtained, Pei’s symptoms, and my studies, I can conclude that Pei is lactose intolerant.

Same way herbivores digest green forage while carnivores cannot. Lactase is present in babies but wears off in some people as they grow older, mostly from the age of six. Premature babies may have less lactase and they may be lactose intolerant to a significant amount. There is also a congenital lactose intolerance in some people all together, though rare it cannot be ruled out. There are other factors that can cause intolerance of fresh milk as well as fresh dairy products, these include gastroenteritis and

Hereditary fructose intolerance is passed down by both parents have to have it to inherit it.

Module four discussed lactose intolerance and dumping syndrome in great detail, then briefly explained other disorders of the GI tract and pancreases. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body can no longer efficiently digest lactose result in bloating, cramping, and sever diarrhea. Lactose is not directly absorbed by the body, so lactase has to break it down into glucose and galactose. The breakdown of lactose occurs in the last part of the small intestine, but if this does not occur then lactose will move to the colon causing an osmotic effect. The osmotic effect will causes water to diffuse into the colon through capillaries of the intestinal tissue. Colonic bacteria will start to metabolize lactose, and produce gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen gas.

The enzyme is initially made by infants, but production is lessened as they reach adulthood. Almost 100% of American and Asian Indians, 50-80% of Hispanics, 60-80% of blacks and Ashkenazi Jews, and 2% of Northern Europeans are affected by lactose intolerance by the time they reach adulthood (“Lactose Intolerance in Children and Adolescents” 3). For infants it is necessary for their diet to have milk, but adults do not require it.

Lactose intolerant is usually treating by decreasing lactose in the diet. Most people with lactose intolerance can consume around 10g of lactose each day. Eating dairy products with less or no lactose is an option to gain the nutrients that milk has. Adjusting the diet is also important, eating foods with the nutrients that milk has (most importantly calcium and vitamin D). Taking lactase supplements is also an option, which supplies the body with lactase.

Humans can thank evolution for the ability to eat these delicious foods. Many years ago, the gene that helps adults digest milk disappeared when they were weaned off their mother's breast milk as infants (site). This means that only babies were able to produce lactase which is the enzyme that helps break down milk sugars. Reported by the author(s) of the website Evolution Berkeley, a study that was conducted in 2007 by some German and British researchers concluded that as far as 5000 BC, most of ancient Europe could not tolerate or drink milk during adulthood. This means that humans were not born being able to drink milk as adults. Thanks to a random mutation, 75 percent of the world's adults are now lactose tolerant and 90% of adults that live in the United States are also tolerant to milk (The Tech Museum Of Innovation). This mutation was able to survive through generations and generations because of natural selection. Those who had the ability to digest milk as adults survived because nature favored those who carried this gene. For example, if there was a severe drought and there was nothing to drink besides milk, those who were lactose tolerant had a higher probability of surviving compared to those who were lactose intolerant. Milk provides the body with the perfect source of calcium and helps develop stronger bones and helps the body fight diseases. Due to evolution, humans are able to get nutrients from milk that

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body is not able to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Children with lactose intolerance should avoid consuming foods and drinks with lactose.

It's been a little over two-hundred years since Samoans started to reproduce the genetic mutation. In the late 1700s European sailors “discovered” the Island of Samoa, this leading to them reproducing with my ancestors, giving them the mutated gene to be lactose tolerant. Although being lactose tolerant is among the people of Samoa (Pacific Islanders), most of the people (today) are still lactose intolerant. Having difficulty digesting dairy products, due to a good amount of the Pacific Island population being lactose intolerance, they still use the ancient ways to make food, using coconut milk. Making it difficult for them to undergo the genetic mutation, but maybe over time (just like the Europeans) the Pacific Islanders, Samoans will be able to be lactose

The CE (Collective Evolution) website explains that, “Lactase persistence in humans has evolved as an adaptation to the consumption of non-human milk and dairy products

Because of this, most infants are born with an abundance of lactose digesting enzymes (Lomer et al., 2008). As infants age their bodies are instructed to reduce lactase enzyme production. This genetic predisposition is thought to be the cause of primary lactose intolerance (Arora & Singla, 2011).

• Lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar that occurs naturally in milk and other dairy products.

Lactose Free ice cream is a great option because it is a. The earliest known lactose free ice cream dates back to make in several different ways to make it friendly for those who suffer with intolerance. The 18th century where someone enjoyed a scoop of ice cream made from soy, almond milk and peanut cream. This makes it ideal for the girl who can’t eat dairy, but what about the guy who can’t eat dairy AND is allergic to nuts?!