ABSTRACT
Lactose intolerance has been proposed to cause poor bone health. This study found the prevalence of lactose intolerance was high among Malaysian young adults, but not associated with bone health status, unlike calcium intake. This is the first study that investigated the association of lactose intolerance and bone health status in Malaysia. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of lactose intolerance, calcium intake and physical activity level and to investigate the association between these variables with bone health status among young adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of 300 Malay, Chinese and Indian students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with mean age of 22.5 ± 3.2 years. Determination of lactose tolerance status was performed using hydrogen breath test, lactose tolerance test and visual analogue scales. Calcium intake and physical activity level were evaluated using Food Frequency Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Bone health status was assessed on calcaneal bone, using quantitative ultrasound. RESULTS: Lactose intolerance was highly reported among the Malay subjects (72%) followed by Chinese (59%) and Indians (42%). The mean calcium intake was 542.9 ± 365.2 mg/day whilst the mean physical activity was 2757.6 ± 2007.2 MET-min/week. The bone assessment showed that 91% of the subjects had a low risk of developing osteoporosis. Only calcium intake showed a significant association with bone health status (ß = 0.006; p = 0.033), whilst no association was shown for lactose intolerance and physical activity level. CONCLUSIONS: Malaysian young adults showed a high prevalence of lactose intolerance. Calcium intake is associated with increased bone health status. In contrast, lactose intolerance and physical activity level did not directly influence bone health status. Nutrition education promoting adequate calcium intake should be implemented among young adults due to high lactose intolerance prevalence and low calcium intake among subjects.
Subject(s)
Calcium , Lactose Intolerance , Adult , Bone Density , Calcium, Dietary , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Humans , Lactose Intolerance/diagnostic imaging , Lactose Intolerance/epidemiology , Malaysia/epidemiology , Universities , Young AdultSubject(s)
Lactose Intolerance/complications , Osteoporosis/complications , Absorptiometry, Photon , Humans , Lactase , Lactose Intolerance/diagnostic imaging , Lactose Intolerance/metabolism , Male , Osteoporosis/diagnostic imaging , Osteoporosis/metabolism , Spinal Fractures/complications , beta-Galactosidase/deficiencyABSTRACT
Making use of [51Cr]EDTA as a permeability marker, we measured intestinal permeability in a group of 20 children with proven cow's milk intolerance (CMI), a group of 17 children with similar complaints where CMI was excluded (sick controls), and a group of 12 control children. [51Cr]EDTA test results (mean +/- SD) were 6.85 +/- 3.64%, 3.42 +/- 0.94%, and 2.61 +/- 0.67% in the group with CMI, the sick control, and the control group, respectively. When compared to both control groups, patients with cow's milk intolerance (CMI) showed a significantly increased small bowel permeability. We conclude that the [51Cr]EDTA test can be helpful for the diagnosis of cow's milk intolerance.
Subject(s)
Chromium Radioisotopes , Edetic Acid , Intestine, Small/metabolism , Lactose Intolerance/diagnosis , Milk/metabolism , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Clinical Trials as Topic , Female , Humans , Infant , Lactose Intolerance/diagnostic imaging , Lactose Intolerance/pathology , Male , Permeability , Radionuclide ImagingABSTRACT
Gas-fluid levels in the colon observed in radiographs are abnormal and usually indicate serious gastrointestinal disease. Colonic gas-fluid levels associated with concurrent abdominal pain and malabsorption of lactose, documented by lactose breath hydrogen testing, were observed in five children. Incomplete lactose absorption is a relatively benign condition that can be added to the differential diagnosis of gas-fluid levels in the colon and may account for some cases of spontaneous resolution of clinical and radiologic signs in children presenting with acute recurrent abdominal pain.
Subject(s)
Colon/diagnostic imaging , Lactose Intolerance/diagnostic imaging , Pain/diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Abdominal , Child , Female , Humans , Pain/etiology , RecurrenceABSTRACT
A 50-day-old boy with severe lactose intolerance is described. In addition to vomiting, failure to thrive, dehydration, metabolic acidosis and amino aciduria, bilateral cataracts were also found. At three months of age, a computerized axial tomography scan and an electroencephalogram were abnormal, and myoclonic spasms began at the age of seven months.
