New AHRQ Evidence Report on Lactose Intolerance and Health Is Available

10. New AHRQ Evidence Report on Lactose Intolerance and Health Is Available

AHRQ released a new evidence report that found insufficient evidence on how dairy-free diets affect long-term gastrointestinal and bone health. Researchers found minimal data suggesting that adults with milk intolerance and lactose malabsorption had greater odds of fractures and worse bone outcomes. They also found limited and low quality evidence that treatment with lactose reduced milk products may result in clinical improvements in select gastrointestinal symptoms in select individuals diagnosed with lactose intolerance or lactose malabsorption. Researchers, led by Timothy J. Wilt, M.D., M.P.H, of AHRQ’s Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center, concluded that a majority of individuals diagnosed with lactose intolerance can likely tolerate up to 12 grams of lactose (1 cup of milk) at a given sitting with no symptoms, especially if consumed with other foods. Therefore, most individuals (either self or clinically diagnosed) can consume a sufficient amount of dairy products daily to meet minimum recommendations without incurring gastrointestinal symptoms. However, as the dose is increased above 12 grams, intolerance in individuals becomes more prominent, with doses of 24 grams usually yielding appreciable symptoms. The report, Lactose Intolerance and Health, prepared for the NIH Consensus Development Conference: Lactose Intolerance and Health, February 22-24, 2010, also found insufficient evidence that probiotics or colonic adaption improves symptoms. Select to access the report (PDF File)
(PDFHelp). A print copy is available by sending an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.hhs.gov.

http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/lactoseint/lactint.pdf