Lactose intolerance, also known as lactase dificiciency is a condition secondary to very low levels of lactase enzyme in the intestinal tract making the person reveal lactose intolerance symptoms like being unable to digest lactose or milk. Although this isn’t a lethal condition, most lactose intolerance symptoms are absolutely uncomfortable and it makes individuals who have it totally stay clear of eating milk products.

The deficiency of lactase is what causes lactose intolerance. Lactase is an enzyme that the small intestine produces that helps in the digestion of lactose into two simpler kinds of sugar – galactose and glucose. Because of the deficiency of lactase, milk sugar is improperly broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream.

In America, approximately 30-50 million individuals go through lactose intolerance. It was recently discovered that certain ethnic and racial communities are much more prone to have this condition. For instance, roughly 90% of Asian Americans, 80% of American Indians, and 80% of African Americans are estimated to have lactose intolerance.