Public health and genetic constitution of the San ("Bushmen"): carbohydrate metabolism and acetylator status of the Kung of Tsumkwe in the North-western Kalahari.

Intolerance to lactose owing to deficiency of lactase is particularly prevalent among non-Caucasian peoples. Special caution is therefore needed in offering them milk supplements. Lactose tolerance has been investigated among the!Kung in the north-western Kalahari. The opportunity was taken also to examine their acetylator status, as this affects their ability to detoxicate drugs given for the treatment of tuberculosis and other diseases.The preliminary studies reported here suggest that not more than 10% of the!Kung are tolerant to lactose, but only one person out of 30 was a slow acetylator.