LUCKNOW: No matter how much ancient wisdom emphasizes its importance, three out of four Indians have no tolerance for milk. Researchers at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences have concluded thus in a study on lactose intolerance in India. “We took subjects from different centers including Lucknow and Bengaluru and found that over 74% were lactose mal-absorbers which means they cannot digest milk,” said Dr Uday C Ghoshal , who led the study project.The inability to digest milk sugars called lactose is due to insufficient amount of an enzyme called lactase in the gut. Produced in the small intestine, lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into two smaller sugars—glucose and galactose—so that they may be absorbed in the bloodstream.The capacity to absorb milk naturally decreases as we grow. And the problem shows up in the mid-30s as functional gastrointestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastro-esophagal reflux disease (GERD). While IBS is known to affect about 5% Indians, an estimated 8-20% people suffer from GERD.Besides the large population of milk mal-absorbers, the study found Indians more sensitive than their European or American counterparts. “Globally, the gold standard to judge milk intolerance is based on 50 grams of lactose. The level of problem a European faces at 50 grams is seen in Indians with half the lactose,” stated Dr Ghoshal, adding that intolerance combined with stress and fast food culture was aggravating the problem. Researchers also studied regional variations in lactose mal-absorption and found it more rampant in South Indians. While 82% people in southern states were affected, 66% north Indians complained of the problem.The most important long-term health consequence of lactose intolerance is calcium deficiency that leads to osteoporosis. Less commonly, vitamin D deficiency may occur and compound the bone disease. Both these health issues can be prevented easily by calcium and vitamin D supplements. The SGPGI researchers also relate milk intolerance to poor bone health. “The real problem is that many lactose intolerant people who consciously or unconsciously avoid milk do not realize that they need a supplement,” he said.The findings reason why one out of three Indian women in 30+ age group suffers from osteopenia, a pre-osteoporosis condition. Orthopaedic department faculty of King George's Medical University , Dr R N Srivastava added that Indians also had a very high rate of hypovitaminosis (deficiency of vitamin D) and dependence on vegetarian diet complicates the problem of weak bones further. “Low vitamin d level means no absorption of calcium, milk being the commonest source. Calcium supplementation is perhaps the only option for most of us,” he said.- milk intolerance is basically person's inability to digest milk sugars called lactose.- lactose in body is broken down into simpler sugars glusose with the help of an enzyme called lactase.- intolerance happens due to low levels of lactase in body either due to congenital reason, developmental (natural decline in body's enzymes due to aging) or secondary (like faulty eating habits and stress or anxiety) reasons.- abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence (passing gas), abdominal bloating, abdominal distention, and nausea are common symptoms of lactose intolerance. If care is not taken, problem may aggravate to cause irritable bowel syndrome or GERD.- often people think that they may avert milk intolerance induced problems by avoiding milk and its products. This is true to some extent and some food items containing lactose include:• Bread and other baked goods• Processed breakfast cereals• Instant potato, soups, and breakfast drinks• Margarine• Lunch meats (except those that are kosher)• Salad dressings• Candies and other snacks• Mixes for pancakes, biscuits, and cookies.- But many other food items also contain lactose which may cause problems. One should learn to read food labels with care, looking not only for milk and lactose among the contents but also for such words as whey, curds, milk byproducts, dry milk solids, and non-fat dry milk powder. If any of these are listed on a label, the item contains lactose.- In addition to food sources, lactose can be “hidden” in medicines. Lactose is used as the base for more than 20% of prescription drugs and about 6% of overthe-counter drugs such as birth control pills, tablets for stomach acid and gas.