Lactose Intolerance

Relation of the C/T-13910 LCT Polymorphism with Body Composition Measures and Their Modulation by Dairy Products in a Caucasian Men

The C/T-13910 LCT is closely associated with lactase persistence and LCT has emerged as a new candidate gene for obesity, in particular in northern Europeans. The aim of this research is to investigate to what degree sex determines the association between the LCT variant and anthropometric traits in a cohort of healthy individuals. We recruited 1000 (500 males and 500 females aged 18-65 years) healthy blood donors. The C/T-13910 LCT polymorphism was genotyped using TaqMan assays. All individuals were phenotyped with respect to anthropometric characteristics. Prevalence of genotypes was 22.7% CC (lactase non-persistent, LNP), 58.6% CT, and 18.7% TT. LNP genotype was present less frequently among men p = .0005; OR 0.582 [0.425-0.794]. Therefore, in addition statistical calculations were performed separately for men and women. Additional analysis demonstrated an association between the CC genotypes and higher chest (p = .03), waist (p = .005), and forearm circumference (p = .0004) or more lean body mass (p = .04), than T-allele carriers in males. In females, they were not significantly different. Men consumed more milk (p = .003), while women ate more yoghurt (p = .001). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the higher intake of milk and dairy products was associated with higher fat body mass among men with lactase persistence. In Caucasian men, the LNP genotype is associated with reduced milk intake and dairy products, but more fat-free mass and higher forearm circumference, which may be relevant to dietary management for lactose intolerant.

Lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a review

A review on the current knowledge about lactose malabsorption and intolerance is presented including biochemistry, physiology, diagnosis and dietary management.

An association between lactose intolerance and anthropometric variables in the Sudanese Shagia tribe (East Africa)

BACKGROUND

The culture of contemporary Sudanese tribes is not homogeneous. One of the three main tribes in northern Sudan is the Shagia tribe. This study is part of the large-scale research project to anthropologically and genetically describe the Shagia population, who inhabited three villages in an isolated region of the Fourth Nile Cataract. This population is extremely homogeneous as a result of geographical, genetic and cultural isolation.

AIM

The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), C/T-13910 and G/C-14010, within the isolated population. These SNPs are closely associated with lactase persistence. In addition, this study has correlated the SNPs with anthropometric measurements.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Buccal swabs were collected from 126 subjects. The DNA was extracted and the occurrence of the two alleles at each SNP was analysed using real-time PCR. An anthropometric examination of 64 adult individuals was used for an analysis of body measurements and proportions.

RESULTS

At the C/T-13910 SNP, the CT genotype frequency was 3.2%, whilst 96.8% of individuals were homozygous for the C allele. The presence of the T allele showed a strong association with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. At the G/C-14010 locus, all the examined subjects were homozygous for the G allele.

CONCLUSIONS

The C/T-13910 polymorphism correlated with anthropometric measurements. Identification of the T allele of C/T-13910, in this isolated tribe, may be linked to their previously nomadic lifestyle and could provide important information on the ancestry of the tribe and the admixture of European genes.

Diet Strategies Used by Women to Manage Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence occurs in community-living women who are elderly, as well as younger women, particularly after vaginal childbirth. Little is known about how women manage fecal incontinence in their everyday lives. Ten women who had fecal incontinence for at least 1 year participated in an audio-taped interview in a phenomenological study. Diet modification was identified as a key strategy for managing fecal incontinence. Various food types were avoided, restricted, or used as remedies. The meanings that the women applied to the diet strategies for managing fecal incontinence had 4 themes: restricting diet and eating patterns, eating and dealing with the consequences, treating fecal incontinence with foods and fluids, and lacking therapeutic guidance regarding diet modifications for fecal incontinence. The results of this study suggest that the continence nurse specialist recognize the important role and meaning of diet as a self-care strategy for women with fecal incontinence and address diet in their assessment and management recommendations.

Predictors of milk consumption in a population of 17- to 35-year-old military personnel

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this investigation was to survey an entire population of Air Force recruits (N = 32,144) regarding milk consumption and demographic and health-related factors that may predict milk consumption.

DESIGN

All subjects were required to fill out a 53-item health survey at the start of basic military training.

SUBJECTS/SETTING

All recruits who entered the US Air Force from August 1995 to August 1996 participated in this study (N = 32,144).

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

Potential correlates of milk intake were analyzed using Spearman rank order correlations and multiple linear regression. Variables were removed if they did not make a meaningful contribution to variance in milk intake. Because of skewed distributions, several variables were dichotomized (e.g., age: 17 to 24 vs 25 to 35 years).

RESULTS

In terms of milk consumption, 51.7% of the respondents reported intake of fewer than 1 serving per day; only 17.9% reported intake of 3 servings or more per day. Milk intake was positively associated with body weight and fruit/vegetable intake and negatively associated with age, education level, reported milk-related gastric distress, physical activity level, dieting frequency, and concern about weight. Gender (women reported lower intake) and ethnicity (minorities reported lower intake) were independently related to milk consumption. Of all respondents, 16.1% reported themselves to have milk-related gastric distress, but rates varied depending on age, gender, and ethnicity (ranging from 10.2% for younger non-Hispanic white men to 60.4% for older Asian men).

APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS

Despite the efforts of large, costly campaigns designed to increase milk consumption, self-reported milk consumption in young adults is extremely low. Given the importance of dairy products as a major source of calcium in the American diet, dietetics practitioners should assess milk consumption among young adults to ensure sufficient calcium intake to maximize peak bone mass in this group.