Lactose malabsorption and bone mineral content

Use of a Novel Probiotic Formulation to Alleviate Lactose Intolerance Symptoms-a Pilot Study

Lactose intolerance is a common condition caused by lactase deficiency and may result in symptoms of lactose malabsorption (bloating, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, and change in bowel habits). As current data is limited, the aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of probiotics with a β-galactosidase activity on symptoms of lactose malabsorption and on the lactose hydrogen breath test (LHBT). The study group comprised eight symptomatic female patients with a positive LHBT. Patients were treated for 6 months with a probiotic formula with β-galactosidase activity (Bio-25, Ambrosia-SupHerb, Israel). All patients completed a demographic questionnaire as well as a diary for the assessment of symptom severity and frequency at entry, every 8 weeks, and at the end of the treatment period. Measurements of hydrogen (H₂) levels (parts per million, ppm) at each of these time points were also performed. End points were a decrease of 50% in symptom severity or frequency, and the normalization (decrease below cutoff point of 20 ppm) of the breath test. Mean age and mean body mass index (BMI) were 36.4 ± 18.6 years and 23.2 kg/m², respectively. Compared to baseline scores, the frequency of most symptoms, and the severity of bloating and flatulence, improved after treatment. Normalization of LHBT was obtained in only two patients (25%). In this pilot study, Bio-25, a unique formulation of probiotics with β-galactosidase activity, demonstrated symptom resolution in most patients with lactose malabsorption. A larger randomized trial is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.

The Effect of Self-Reported Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Consumption on Bone Mineral Density Among American Hip Arthroplasty Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

The relationship between osteoporosis and lactose intolerance is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the association between self-reported lactose intolerance and symptom severity caused by lactose malabsorption and bone mineral density (BMD). A total of 496 American hip arthroplasty patients took part in this study. Information on BMD and socio-demographic factors were retrospectively extracted from medical records. BMD of the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck of the operative hip (FNOH), and femoral neck of the non-operative hip (FNH) were measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans (DXA). Patients also completed a survey regarding dietary and lifestyle habits from the time of surgery. We found that 9.3% of participants reported lactose intolerance and 33.3%% suffered from either osteopenia or osteoporosis in at least one (location). The population that did not self-identify as lactose intolerant consumed significantly more dairy (p < 0.0001) and animal protein (p = 0.004) than those with intolerance. There was no significant difference in BMD between self-identified lactose intolerant individuals and non-lactose intolerant individuals. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) and age were the only common predictors of BMD for all locations (p < 0.05). However, yogurt intake was a significant predictor of BMD of FNOH in the multivariate analysis. This study suggests that lactose intolerance is not associated with bone mineral density. We also found that being vegan or vegetarian may increase the risk of low BMD.

Lactose intolerance associated with fractures of weight-bearing bones in Finnish women aged 38-57 years

Lactose intolerance (LI) often results in decreased calcium intake. To test if long-term low intake of calcium affects bone strength, we examined fracture risks related to LI in women aged 38-57 years. The 11,619 Finnish women aged 47-56 years who responded to the baseline postal inquiry of the Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Study in 1989 formed the study population. In all, 896 women reported LI and 1299 women reported a fracture in 1980-1989. Current intake of dairy calcium was lower in women with LI (570 mg/d) than in the other women (850 mg/d) (p < 0.0001). The fracture risk in general was slightly elevated in women with LI compared with the other women, with an odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of 1.33 (1.09-1.62). However, the fractures at the three most common sites (wrist, ankle, and rib) were not related to LI. In contrast, fractures at the tibia and metatarsal were strongly related to LI with ORs of 3.31 (1.51-7.24) and 2.84 (1.47-5.50), respectively. The adjusted OR for nonankle lower body fractures combined was 2.15 (1.53-3.04), whereas that for all upper body fractures combined was 1.15 (0.88-1.54). The 10 women with LI and a tibial or metatarsal fracture showed a 19% lower femoral BMD than all the other women in the densitometry subsample of 3222 women (p < 0.001). Long-term premenopausal calcium deficiency differentially affects bones with weight-bearing nonankle bones being at the greatest risk of suffering reduced strength.

Does lactose intolerance predispose to low bone density? A population-based study of perimenopausal Finnish women

The relationship of lactase malabsorption to osteoporosis is unclear. We examined the relationship of self-reported lactose intolerance (LI) to bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal Finnish women. A random population sample of 2025 women aged 48-59, who underwent spinal and femoral BMD measurement with dual X-ray absorptiometry in Kuopio, Finland during 1989-1991 formed the study population. Out of these women, 162 women reported LI. The mean dairy calcium intake was 558 mg/day in women with LI and 828 mg/day in other women (p < 0.0001). The mean spinal BMDs were 1.097 and 1.129 g/cm2 (-2.8%) (p = 0.016) and the mean femoral BMDs were 0.906 and 0.932 g/cm2 (-2.8%) (p = 0.012) for the LI and other women, respectively. After adjusting for weight, age, years since menopause, and the history of hormone replacement therapy, these differences changed to -2.7% (p = 0.016) for the spinal and -2.4% (p = 0.012) for the femoral BMD, respectively. Dairy calcium intake was an independent determinant of femoral BMD. The addition of calcium intake variables into the multivariate model did not affect the spinal BMD difference, but weakened the femoral BMD difference to -1.9% (p = 0.075). Our results suggest that LI slightly reduces perimenopausal BMD, possibly through reduced calcium intake.

Lactose intolerance and bone mass in postmenopausal Italian women

Previous studies on the role of lactose malabsorption in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis have yielded conflicting results and further information is needed. To date, all studies have been carried out on populations with a low prevalence of lactose malabsorption and the lactose intestinal absorptive capacity was tested using a non-physiological dose of lactose. In fifty-eight Italian postmenopausal women (mean age 57 (SD 7) years), bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine, H2 breath response after ingestion of 20 g lactose, intensity of symptoms of intolerance after a lactose load and daily Ca intake were evaluated. No differences were found between women with or without a positive H2 breath test with regard to BMD (-1.2 (SD 0.9) v. -0.9 (SD 0.8)) and Ca intake (509 (SD 266) v. 511 (SD 313) mg/d). On the contrary, both BMD and Ca intake were significantly lower in women with lactose malabsorption and symptoms of intolerance (-1.5 (SD 0.7) and 378 (SD 220) mg/d) than in those with malabsorption without symptoms (-0.9 (SD 0.9) and 624 (SD 254) mg/d). Moreover, in lactose malabsorbers Ca intake was correlated inversely with symptom score (rs -0.31, P < 0.05) and positively with BMD (rs 0.42, P < 0.005). Our results show that in Italian postmenopausal women Ca intake and BMD are not influenced directly by lactose malabsorption; the appearance of symptoms of intolerance seems to influence BMD unfavourably through a reduced Ca intake.

Lactose absorption, milk consumption, and fasting blood glucose concentrations in women with idiopathic osteoporosis

Lactose tolerance tests were performed in 33 women with osteoporosis and 33 control women matched for age. A questionnaire was used to elicit any history of milk intolerance and the subjects' daily intake of calcium derived from milk and dairy products. Eleven patients and four controls gave a history of milk intolerance (p less than 0.01); 13 patients had lactose malabsorption compared with four controls (p less than 0.01). The daily intake of calcium derived from milk was significantly lower in patients (125 (SEM 20) mg v 252 (43) mg; p less than 0.05). Curves of blood glucose concentrations during the lactose tolerance test in subjects with lactose malabsorption were significantly flatter in patients than controls (p less than 0.05). The fasting blood glucose concentration was higher (5.44 (0.17) mmol/l (98 (3) mg/100 ml) in the patients than the controls (4.88 (0.11) mmol/l (88 (2) mg/100 ml); p less than 0.05), although body weight was significantly lower (61.6 (2.2) kg v 66.3 (1.6) kg; p less than 0.05). Absorption of lactose is significantly impaired in women with "idiopathic" osteoporosis; this combined with low consumption of milk and a subclinical disorder of glucose metabolism may be a major factor in the development of idiopathic osteoporosis in women.

The nutritional and physiological impact of milk in human nutrition

The nutritional value of milk as an important source of energy, high-quality protein, calcium, and riboflavin has been recognized for many years. Currently, the widespread use and promotion of milk in the U.S. as well as developing countries has been questioned. This review examines the nutrient composition of dairy products, factors that account for variability in composition of milk, milk processing, preservation, quality control, and contaminants (such as minerals, radionuclides antibiotics, microorganisms and their metabolites, herbicides, and insecticides) in milk. Consumption patterns for milk and evidence for its nutritional value, especially in children, are presented. Milk consumption has been related to disease or conditions such as atherosclerosis, milk allergy, lactose intolerance, anemia, dental problems, and others. Recent recommendations for dietary changes for individuals in the U.S. and other developed countries could affect the use of milk. In addition, the use of feeding programs in the U.S. and developing countries which are based primarily on milk has been criticized. The preparation of new types of milk designed to offset certain difficulties encountered with cow's milk are now being evaluated in humans.