Lactose-free milk for infants with acute gastroenteritis in a developing country: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Lactose Intolerance and Its Dietary Management: An Update

Milk is the most common food consumed worldwide and is also a major ingredient in the preparation of various dairy products. However, despite the high production and consumption of milk and milk-based products, there is a large percent of the world's population that suffer from allergies to milk solids and lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance specifically means the inability of the body to breakdown the sugar to its simplest form for assimilation and it is due to the inefficiency or lack of the enzyme in the human body. The most convenient prevention method for the affected population is to avoid milk and milk-based products but this may be a cause of development of other health related issues that result from inadequate nutrient consumption. To help find an alternative to this problem, this study aims at first studying the underlying information on lactose intolerance and then studying plant-based beverages as a possible alternative to milk and milk-based products. Key teaching pointsLactose intolerance specifically means the inability of the body to breakdown the sugar to its simplest form for assimilation and it is due to the inefficiency or lack of the enzyme in the human body.Consumption of probiotics may help relieve the symptoms of lactose intolerance.Soy beverage can be an economical alternative for lactose intolerant populations and has calcium content comparable to bovine milk.Calcium absorption in fortified plant based beverages depends upon type of calcium salt used.

Undernourished Children and Milk Lactose

BACKGROUND

Lactose is an important energy source in young mammals, and in fully breast-fed human infants, it constitutes around 40% of the total daily energy intake. The role of lactose in feeding of undernourished infants and young children is not well described.

OBJECTIVE

A narrative review of the potential positive and negative effects of lactose in the treatment of undernourished children.

METHODS

Searches were conducted using PUBMED and Web of Science up to July 2015. Relevant references in the retrieved articles were included.

RESULTS

Lactose may exhibit several health benefits in young children, including a prebiotic effect on the gut microbiota and a positive effect on mineral absorption. Studies in piglets suggest there might also be a stimulating effect on growth, relative to other carbohydrates. Lactose intolerance is a potential concern for undernourished children. Most undernourished children seem to tolerate the currently recommended (low lactose level) therapeutic foods well. However, a subgroup of severely undernourished children with secondary lactase deficiency due to severe diarrhea or severe enteropathy may benefit from products with even more restricted lactose content. At limited extra costs, lactose or lactose-containing milk ingredients may have beneficial effects if added to food products for undernourished children.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactose may be an overlooked beneficial nutrient for young and undernourished children. Research is needed to define the balance between beneficial and detrimental effects of lactose in undernourished children at different ages and with different degrees of diarrhea and intestinal integrity.