Relative effectiveness of milks with reduced amounts of lactose in alleviating milk intolerance

Abstract

The relative effectiveness of five milk products with various levels of lactose reduction [0%, 50%, 80% (#1), 80% (#2), and 95%] was evaluated in six subjects with lactose malabsorption. Breath hydrogen was measured for 4 h after consumption of 300 mL of each product in a single-blind, randomized design. The mean ± SEM maximum breath-hydrogen rise (ppm) after the 0%, 50%, 80% (#1), 80% (#2), and 95% lactose-reduced (LR) milks was 31 ± 6, 7 ± 3, 5 ± 3, 5 ± 2, and 8 ± 3, respectively. The difference between whole milk and the LR milks was statistically significant (P < 0.05) but there was no difference between any of the LR milks. Whole milk provoked symptoms in most subjects whereas 95% LR milk produced none. Only one of six subjects reacted to the 50% and 80% LR milks. The results suggest that a 50% level of lactose reduction in milk may be adequate to relieve the signs and symptoms of milk intolerance in the majority of healthy adults with lactose malabsorption.