Lactose Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance and Minorities
Minorities who have experienced gastrointestinal problems consuming milk are learning new strategies to enjoy milk and other dairy foods. This means that minorities (and non-minorities) with lactose intolerance may no longer need to miss out on essential nutrients provided by dairy foods. Here you'll learn the facts about lactose intolerance and what scientific experts say about various issues related to this subject. This information can help put the issue of lactose intolerance in minorities into perspective.
Lactose Intolerance and Food Allergies
Dairy's Role in African American Health
According to the National Medical Association Consensus Report, "The Role of Dairy and Dairy Nutrients in the Diet of African Americans," all African Americans should increase dairy consumption to 3-4 servings of dairy a day to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, including hypertension and obesity.
Lactose intolerance is one type of food sensitivity —it's not an allergy. It is the result of not having enough lactase, an enzyme that digests the natural sugar in
milk, lactose.
This kit is designed as a resource for WIC professionals to help educate WIC moms on the Dietary Guidelines, the importance of consuming the recommended 3 daily servings of dairy, and tips for transitioning families to lower-fat milk options as provided by the new food packages.
October 2009
A new, peer-reviewed study made available October 20, 2009 in the September/October issue of Nutrition Today found that prevalence of self-reported lactose intolerance may be far lower than previously estimated. The study, which uses data from a national sample of three ethnic groups, reveals that the overall prevalence rate of self-reported lactose intolerance is 12 percent - with 7.72 percent of European Americans, 10.05 percent of Hispanic Americans and 19.5 percent of African Americans who consider themselves lactose intolerant. These new findings indicate that previous estimates of lactose intolerance incidence may be overestimated by wide margins. For more information on the study, please see below:
Lactose Intolerance Press Release provides a summary of the study's key points.
Lactose Intolerance statement for full details of the study printed in the Journal of the National Medical Association supplement, September/October 2009