How much lactose is low lactose?

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that complete elimination of lactose is not necessary to ensure tolerance by lactose maldigesters.

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized protocol in which challenge doses of 0, 2, 6, 12, and 20 g lactose in water were fed to subjects after a 12-hour fast.

SUBJECTS

13 healthy, free-living adults who were lactose maldigesters.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Breath hydrogen production (a measure of maldigestion) and symptom response to each challenge dose.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Analysis of variance was done to determine overall differences in mean hydrogen gas production (peak and sum of hours 1 through 8). Friedman's test was used to determine overall differences in the mean ranks for each symptom. Fisher's least significant difference test was used for multiple comparisons for hydrogen and symptom and data.

RESULTS

Hydrogen production after consumption of the 0- and 2-g lactose doses was not significantly different. Hydrogen production increased with the 6-g dose. Intensity of abdominal pain increased when the dose of lactose was 12 g. Episodes of flatulence did not increase until the dose reached 20 g. No significant differences in the occurrence of diarrhea were observed after the five treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant increase in breath hydrogen production or intolerance symptoms occurred after consumption of a 2-g dose of lactose. Up to 6 g was tolerated, even though maldigestion could be measured at the 6-g dose. Thus, lactose maldigesters may be able to tolerate foods containing 6 g lactose or less per serving, such as hard cheeses and small servings (120 mL or less) of milk.