Lactose intolerance: diagnosis, genetic, and clinical factors

ctose intolerance: diagnosis, genetic, and clinical factors Review (4033) Total Article Views Authors: Mattar R, Mazo DF, Carrilho FJ Published Date July 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 113 - 121 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CEG.S32368 Received: 29 March 2012 Accepted: 17 May 2012 Published: 05 July 2012 Rejane Mattar, Daniel Ferraz de Campos Mazo, Flair José Carrilho Department of Gastroenterology, University of S o Paulo School of Medicine, S o Paulo, Brazil Abstract: Most people are born with the ability to digest lactose, the major carbohydrate in milk and the main source of nutrition until weaning. Approximately 75% of the world's population loses this ability at some point, while others can digest lactose into adulthood. This review discusses the lactase-persistence alleles that have arisen in different populations around the world, diagnosis of lactose intolerance, and its symptomatology and management.