Systematic review: effective management strategies for lactose intolerance

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Human Nutrition
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Lactose intolerance is a prevalent condition causing gastrointestinal distress.
• Current diagnostic and management strategies for lactose intolerance lack clarity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the maximum tolerable lactose dose for individuals with lactose intolerance.
• To evaluate interventions aimed at alleviating symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English from 1967 to November 2009.
• Searched multiple electronic databases, including MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library.
• Data extraction and quality assessment performed independently by three investigators.

Main Results:

• 36 RCTs met inclusion criteria, focusing on lactase supplements, lactose-reduced milk, probiotics, and incremental lactose administration.
• Moderate evidence suggests most adults tolerate 12-15g of lactose (approx. 1 cup of milk).
• Insufficient evidence exists for the efficacy of lactose-reduced products or probiotics in symptom reduction.

Conclusions:

• Most studies focused on lactose malabsorption rather than intolerance, limiting interpretation.
• While 12-15g of lactose is generally tolerated, further research is required to establish effective treatments for lactose intolerance.