The trouble with milk!?! Lactase persistence is about 1000 years old. So most of us, including myself who find it difficult to digest milk have always assumed that we have a defect! Right? Wrong! Most mammals lose the ability to digest lactose, and thus milk, as they get older. As children get older the lactose gene is gradually disabled, which means that no lactase is formed and so lactose enters the colon undigested, where it is typically converted into acids and hydrogen gas and, in many people, causes the painful symptoms of lactose intolerance. However at least 5 populations have developed genetic mutations, yes thats right mutations that allow them to produce lactose and therefore digest milk. Nowadays, lactase persistence is so prevalent among Europeans that, until very recently lactose intolerance was considered an abnormality, deficiency or disease. It was only when diary products were promoted in the national and international food campaigns that it became apparent that the majority of the global population is lactose intolerant. Subsequent research has revealed that lactase persistence is actually the abnormal condition, resulting from the recent evolution of specific genetic mutations in certain genes.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:48:42 +0000
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