Lactose hydrolyzed milk.

Lactose intolerance is being reported in many populations. Yet, milk is highly nutritious and methods are being explored to use milk while limiting the lactose content. Thirty-two blacks 13-19 years of age were studied to determine a blood sugar rise with 8 ounces of the following test milks: 1) untreated whole milk (12 g/lactose); 2) 90% lactose hydrolyzed milk (1.2 g/lactose); and 3) 50% lactose hydrolyzed milk (6 g/lactose). In the 22 lactose malabsorbers, the peak blood sugars were: 1) untreated whole milk--4.4 mg/100 ml, 2) 90% lactose hydrolyzed milk--14.5 mg/100 ml, and 3) 50% lactose hydrolyzed milk--8.8 mg/100 ml. The 10 blacks with normal lactose absorption had a comparably high peak blood sugar on all three test milks. Differences between the blood sugar in the lactose absorbing and malabsorbing subjects when drinking untreated whole milk are significant (P less than 0.001); so are differences in the lactose malabsorbing subjects consuming untreated whole milk and 90% lactose hydrolyzed milk (P less than 0.001) as well as 50 and 90% lactose hydrolyzed milk. Symptoms were reported by three lactose malabsorbing subjects with untreated whole milk with two of the three symptomatic with 90% lactose hydrolyzed milk and none with 50% lactose hydrolyzed milk. No symptoms were reported by the lactose absorbers. Significant improvement in absorption with 90% lactose hydrolyzed milk is seen in low lactase subjects. Lactose hydrolyzed milk may serve as an important alternative for food planners wanting to provide milk to high risk populations with low lactase levels.