Symptom response to lactose-reduced milk in lactose-intolerant adults.

The possible usefulness of low-lactose milk for those lactose-intolerant subjects who develop symptoms from milk consumption was investigated. In the first part of the study, 16 intolerant subjects (blood glucose rise less than 25 mg/100 ml) received low-lactose skim milk containing 15 g lactose (2.5 cups) and 7.5 g lactose (2.5 cups), regular skim milk containing 30 g lactose (2.5 cups), and all three milks plus a small breakfast. The low lactose milks produced significantly fewer symptoms. The food given with the milk had no significant effect on symptomatic response. The second group of 17 subjects received 25 g lactose in water (250 ml), skim milk (500 ml) and whole milk (500 ml); 10 g lactose in lactose-reduced skim (500 ml) and whole milk (500 ml) and whole milk (500 ml); and a placebo (250 ml). There was a significant positive relationship between amount of lactose consumed and symptom response. The form in which the lactose was administered (e.g., whole versus skim milk) was not significantly related to symptoms. It is concluded that in a symptomatic subjects a significantly greater quantity of low-lactose milk than regular milks can be consumed.