Why is lactose intolerance less common in white people?

Genetic component: People of Caucasian descent tend not to have lactose intolerance symptoms until later in age when compared to patients of African American descent, Hispanics, Asians. The reason for this is unclear, but it probably has to do with our ancestors and our dependence on cows and milk products in the past.

Why is lactose intolerance more common for certain ethnic groups?

A Cornell study concluded that ethnic groups with ancestors from climates supporting the production of dairy cattle, like Europe, can digest milk better than those with ancestors from places that did not have the right conditions for dairy cattle. These places include Asia and Africa.

What race is most affected by lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance in adulthood is most prevalent in people of East Asian descent, with 70 to 100 percent of people affected in these communities. Lactose intolerance is also very common in people of West African, Arab, Jewish, Greek, and Italian descent.

What percentage of Caucasian people are lactose intolerant?

The estimated prevalence of lactose maldigestion (or lactase non-persistence) varies among different ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. Previous estimates have indicated that among Asian Americans, African Americans, Native American Indians, and Hispanics, an estimated 50\% to 100\% are reported to be lactose …

Is lactose intolerance more common in females?

Women aged between 25 and 34 have the nation’s highest incidence of lactose intolerance, followed by those from the 35-49 age bracket. These female groups are up to four times more likely to suffer from the condition than the corresponding age groups among men.

Why is lactose intolerance so common?

Primary lactose intolerance — the most common type — is caused by a decrease in lactase production with age. As such, you lose the ability to absorb lactose over time ( 1 , 3 ). This form of lactose intolerance may be partially genetic since it’s more common in some populations than others.

Why is most of the world lactose intolerant?

Lactose malabsorption is more common in some parts of the world than in others. In Africa and Asia, most people have lactose malabsorption. In some regions, such as northern Europe, many people carry a gene that allows them to digest lactose after infancy, and lactose malabsorption is less common.

How common is lactose intolerance in ethnic groups?

Most lactase deficiency is genetically determined. In general, people of Northern European descent have lower rates of lactase deficiency (2-30\%) and people of Mediterranean, South American, African and Asian descent have higher rates (60-100\%). Both males and females are affected equally.

Does lactose intolerance affect a certain race?

Estimates for lactose intolerance vary by ethnicity. African American and Asian ethnicities see a 75\% – 95\% lactose intolerance rate, while northern Europeans have a lower rate at 18\% – 26\% lactose intolerance. For some people, drinking milk with their morning cereal is all the dairy they need for the day.

Are minorities more likely to be lactose intolerant?

Why are most girls lactose intolerant?

The evidence suggests that women, the elderly or specific racial groups are not more susceptible to LI, but rather dose, body size and genetic differences in lactase non-persistence (LNP) are the primary drivers of intolerance symptoms.