lactose intolerance - (Apr/30/2017 )

hi everybody

i'm wondering if maternal dairy consumption can be related to infant's lactose intolerance...what about milk proteins mom consume or gene expression of infant's lactase enzyme!!

anyone has an idea!! 

Nope... basically human breast milk (6.5-7.5%)  is higher in lactose content than cow's milk (average 5%). In addition lactose is absorbed by the gut and converted into energy for the body - it will not be transported to the breast and find its way into the milk there. Gene expression of the infant is a problem; it takes a few weeks (? - I can't remember from the literature I consulted when my children were born) for full expression of lactases, and for development of the gut flora, which copes with some of the sugars in milk.

A lot of what, in the western world, would be considered a lactose intolerance in infants is actually an immune response to transported proteins from the cow's milk. Caucasian peoples have a low incidence of lactose intolerance, but Asian peoples have a much much higher rate - so this problem is more recognized in Asian countries. Lactose intolerance is pretty easily treated - basically add some b-galactosidease to the milk before or during consumption (drops on the tongue if breast fed), this should clear the inflammation and associated problems within a week or two. Cow protein intolerance is a different matter, that will require reducing/eliminating consumption of dairy by the parent.