LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, because the required enzyme Lactase is absent in the intestinal system or its availability is lowered. It is estimated that 75% of adults worldwide show some decrease in Lactase activity during adulthood.[1] The frequency of decreased Lactase activity ranges from as little as 5% in northern Europe, up to 71% for Southern Europe, to more than 90% in some African and Asian countries. The enzyme Lactase is now commercially available and can be taken by mouth with foods that contain milk and milk products.
(Source: Swagerty DL, Walling AD, Klein RM (2002). "Lactose intolerance". Am Fam Physician 65 (9): 1845–50)
