Lactose tolerance and intolerance in Malaysians

This review explores the digestibility oflactose by Malaysians, and the value of milk and othermilk-derived products as sources of appropriate nutritionfor Malaysians. Increased calcium intake throughconsumption of milk is an effective mechanism forincreasing calcium uptake from the diet and therebyminimising the risk of development of osteoporosis inlater life. Detailed information about rates of lactoseintolerance, and adaptation to dietary lactose andits consequences for Malaysians, will help in theformulation of dietary advice, and improve commerialfood manufaturing practice and Government policydirected to the minimization of rates of osteoporosis,which presents a substantial morbidity risk to elderlyfemale Asians in particular.