Lactose has a Beta Bond- Humans ( recently as in about 10,000 years ago) had to develop the enzymes (lactase) to break down lactose. Approximately 1/2 the world still does not have the enzyme, i.e Lactose Intolerance aka Hypolactasia
Secondary hypolactasia can occur in children with celiacs disease or cow's milk protein intolerance or infectious diarrheas... A genetic condition ( as opposed to hypolactasia where your body just doesn't have high lactase activity not necessarily genetic in cause) affecting the lactase enzyme is very rare and called congenital lactase deficiency.
Percentage affected by Lactose Intolerance in Healthy Populations:
- Approx. 5-20 % of North American Whites
- Approx. 70-75 % of North American Blacks
- Only 3 % of Danish
- Approx. 99 % of Nigerians (Yoruba)
- Approx. 95 % of Filipinos
- Approx. 97 % Thai
