Lactose intolerance in adulthood is most prevalent in people of
East Asian descent
, with 70 to 100 percent of people affected in these communities. Lactose intolerance is also very common in people of West African, Arab, Jewish, Greek, and Italian descent.
Who is most affected by lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is most common in people of
African, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian descent
. Premature birth. Infants born prematurely might have reduced levels of lactase because the small intestine doesn't develop lactase-producing cells until late in the third trimester.
Do more black people have lactose intolerance?
How many people are lactose intolerant? Estimates for lactose intolerance vary by ethnicity.
African American and Asian ethnicities see a 75% – 95% lactose intolerance rate
, while northern Europeans have a lower rate at 18% – 26% lactose intolerance.
Is lactose intolerance more common in white people?
Genetic component: People
of Caucasian descent tend not to have lactose
intolerance symptoms until later in age when compared to patients of African American descent, Hispanics, Asians. The reason for this is unclear, but it probably has to do with our ancestors and our dependence on cows and milk products in the past.
Is most of the world lactose intolerant?
Most adults
(around 65–70% of the world's population)
are affected by lactose malabsorption . Other mammals normally lose the ability to digest lactose after weaning and this was the ancestral state of all humans before the recent evolution of lactase persistence, which extends lactose tolerance into adulthood.
What happens if you ignore lactose intolerance?
Without enough of the lactase enzyme, your
body can't metabolize dairy
, leading to digestive problems like diarrhea, abdominal cramping or pain, bloating, gas, nausea, and sometimes even vomiting about 30 minutes to two hours after eating it.
Why am I suddenly lactose intolerant?
It's possible to become lactose intolerant all of a sudden if another medical condition—such as gastroenteritis—or prolonged abstinence from dairy triggers the body. It
is normal to lose tolerance for lactose as you age
.
Why are most blacks lactose intolerant?
In the United States, approximately three fourths of African-Americans have the potential for symptoms of lactose intolerance because lactose digestion depends on
the presence of the enzyme lactase-phlorizin hydrolase
which is reduced by up to 90-95% in individuals with lactase nonpersistence.
How do I know if I'm lactose intolerant?
- Bloating.
- Pain or cramps in the lower belly.
- Gurgling or rumbling sounds in the lower belly.
- Gas.
- Loose stools or diarrhea. Sometimes the stools are foamy.
- Throwing up.
Can lactose intolerance go away?
There's no cure for lactose intolerance
, but most people are able to control their symptoms by making changes to their diet. Some cases of lactose intolerance, such as those caused by gastroenteritis, are only temporary and will improve within a few days or weeks.
How much of America is lactose intolerant?
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.
Why do we become lactose intolerant as we age?
But as you get older,
your lactase levels can start to decline
, which means there's nothing stopping the lactose you consume from going to your colon undigested, where bacteria break the sugars down and create excess gas and fluid in the process. It's common to develop a lactase deficiency in adulthood.
What are the signs of lactose intolerance in adults?
- farting.
- diarrhoea.
- a bloated stomach.
- stomach cramps and pains.
- stomach rumbling.
- feeling sick.
What is the main cause of lactose intolerance?
Primary lactase deficiency
is the most common cause of lactose intolerance worldwide. This type of lactase deficiency is caused by an inherited genetic fault that runs in families. Primary lactase deficiency develops when your lactase production decreases as your diet becomes less reliant on milk and dairy products.
Which country is most lactose intolerant?
- South Korea – 100%
- Yemen – 100%
- Solomon Islands – 99%
- Armenia – 98%
- Vietnam – 98%
- Zambia – 98%
- Azerbaijan – 96%
- Oman – 96%
Is there a test for lactose intolerance?
The hydrogen breath test
is a method used to diagnose lactose intolerance or determine if abnormal bacteria are present in the colon.
