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The National Dairy Council was eager to spread the word about a new study which found that the incidence of lactose intolerance may be much lower than previously estimated: Their press release was dutifully picked up by the health "newswires."

Lactose intolerance is thought to be extremely common, particularly among those of non-European descent. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) estimates that up to 90% of Asian Americans, 70% of African and Native Americans and 50% of Mexican Americans lack the enzyme that allows them to digest milk sugars.

This latest study, however, focused not on how many people might have a deficiency of the lactose-digesting enzyme, but on how many people thought they were lactose intolerant. Two completely different things.  According to their survey, only 10% of Hispanic Americans and 20% of African Americans say they are lactose intolerant.

News or Propaganda?

The rest of the press release goes on to talk about the nutritional  benefits of dairy products and how health care practitioners should "encourage people with lactose intolerance to try lower-lactose dairy food options to ensure they get the essential nutrients found in dairy," citing "several practical solutions that can allow for consumption of milk and milk products."  And finally, this somewhat ominous warning:

"The report cautions that lactose intolerance should not require avoidance of dairy foods."  Cautions? Really? What exactly are the dangers of avoiding dairy foods again?

No matter how you feel about the nutritional value of dairy products, this kind of propaganda has no place in medical reporting--especially when the press is so prone to simply pick up these sorts of press releases and run with them as news.

Back to the actual study results

Propaganda aside, what does this study really tell us? If the NIDDKD numbers are correct, then this study suggests that the vast majority of lactose intolerance is undiagnosed. Does that matter?

If you are technically lactose intolerant (you lack the lactose-digesting enzyme) but eating dairy causes you no symptoms, is there any reason to avoid it?  The NIDDKD seems to consider lactose intolerance more of a lifestyle issue than anything else. It's fairly harmless--unless symptoms are severe. Severe, sustained diarrhea, for example, could cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and upset the balance of intestinal flora.

But maybe there are simply a lot of people who could feel a lot better than they do--folks with mild to moderate symptoms that they don't associate with dairy products.  If anything, perhaps this study simply is a red flag to health care practitioners to consider undiagnosed lactose intolerance in patients who report chronic symptoms.  Avoiding dairy (or using lactaid or lactase-treated products) on a trial basis is simple enough and could potentially improve quality of life.

What do you think?

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