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Lactose Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance and Minorities: The Real Story
Why is it Important that Minorities Include Dairy Foods in their Diets?
Reducing consumption of dairy foods due to concerns about lactose intolerance can result in a lower intake of milk 's nutrients, especially calcium. A low calcium intake increases the risk of several chronic diseases. Also, increasing intake of lactose-containing foods such as milk helps lactose maldigesters tolerate lactose. Avoiding or limiting consumption of dairy foods reduces intake of several key nutrients and virtually guarantees a low calcium intake. Dairy foods are a major source of calcium, providing 73% of the calcium available in the U.S. food supply. In addition to calcium, milk and other dairy foods provide appreciable amounts of other essential nutrients. Intake of a calcium-rich diet through milk and other dairy foods improves the overall nutritional quality of the diet.
Not only is the U.S. facing a calcium crisis, but many minorities are at high risk of chronic diseases in which calcium deficiency can play a contributing role. Minorities' Risk of Calcium Deficiency-Related Diseases Colon & Rectal Cancer. African Americans are more likely to develop and die from colon and rectal cancer than any other racial and ethnic group in the U.S.
Hypertension and Stroke. Compared to Caucasians, African Americans develop high blood pressure at an earlier age and it is more severe at any decade of life. Consequently, African Americans have a 1.3 times greater risk of nonfatal stroke, a 1.8 times greater rate of fatal stroke, a 1.5 times greater risk of heart disease death, and a 5 times greater risk of end-stage kidney disease than Caucasians.
Overweight and Obesity. African American and Mexican American adults have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than Caucasians.
Osteoporosis. Preliminary data from the National Osteoporosis Risk Assessment (NORA) indicate that low bone density occurs in 65% of Asian women, 59% of American Indian women, 55.6% of Hispanic women, 50.5% of Caucasian women, and 38% of African American women. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 300,000 African American women have osteoporosis. Additionally, between 80 to 95% of fractures in African American women over age 64 are due to osteoporosis. Also, African American women are more likely than Caucasian women to die following a hip fracture.
An adequate intake of calcium can help to reduce the risk of major chronic disorders such as hypertension, colon cancer, stroke, osteoporosis, and perhaps even overweight and obesity.
"It's important that minorities, particularly African Americans, include calcium-rich milk and other dairy foods in their diet to reduce their risk of high blood pressure. This was clearly shown in the DASH study. The DASH diet offers an option, without the use of medications, for lowering blood pressure and possibly preventing hypertension. For those who currently avoid dairy foods, effective and simple dietary strategies are available to help include these foods in the diet."
Marlene Most-Windhauser Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N., F.A.D.A
Associate Professor of Research
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, LA
"Since milk and milk products are our primary source of dietary calcium, and calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, people who stop drinking milk may be increasing their risk for calcium deficiency, a widespread problem."
Fabrizis Suarez, M.D., Ph.D.,F.A.C.N.
Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition
University of Minnesota Research Fellow
At a recent, first-ever, national Calcium Summit, low calcium intake was identified among many minority groups in the U.S., including African Americans and Hispanics. Nearly 250 representatives from national health and nutrition organizations attended the Summit. Summit participants recommended new approaches to increase the public's access to a variety of calcium-rich foods such as milk and other dairy foods to help combat the nation's calcium crisis among both minorities and non-minorities alike.
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