Lactose malabsorption in adult Vietnamese

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Gastroenterology
• Human Biology

Background:

• Traditional Vietnamese culture historically discouraged milk consumption.
• Lactose malabsorption is a common condition globally, particularly in Asian populations.
• Limited data exists on lactose malabsorption prevalence in adult Vietnamese populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence of lactose malabsorption in adult Vietnamese.
• To correlate milk consumption patterns with lactose malabsorption symptoms in this demographic.
• To provide empirical data on lactose digestion in Vietnamese adults.

Main Methods:

• Dietary histories were collected from 31 adult Vietnamese participants.
• Oral lactose tolerance tests were administered to assess lactose digestion.
• Milk consumption habits and symptom reporting were documented.

Main Results:

• All 31 adult Vietnamese participants exhibited flat lactose tolerance tests, indicating lactose malabsorption.
• Twenty out of 31 subjects reported experiencing symptoms during or after the lactose tolerance tests.
• Milk consumption varied, with some participants consuming milk regularly without prior symptoms.

Conclusions:

• High prevalence of lactose malabsorption is confirmed in the studied adult Vietnamese population.
• Lactose malabsorption is a significant factor for gastrointestinal symptoms related to dairy intake in Vietnamese adults.
• Further research may explore genetic factors and optimal dietary recommendations for this population.