An article in USA Today (9/9/09) is boldly entitled "Sixty Percent of Adults Can't Digest Milk." First of all, this is incorrect because it is actually the lactose of milk that is a problem for some people to digest. The other two major milk nutrients, protein and fat, are readily digested by all normal humans. There are several relatively simple ways for those who have a problem with the lactose digestion to deal with it.
• Many supermarkets carry milk in which the lactose has been predigested.
• Tablets of lactase enzyme can be bought and added to the milk.
• Milk can be consumed with some yogurt, which contains lactase as one of its normal components.
• Consuming milk in small increments over time eliminates the problem for most people.
Many milk-drinking people incapable of digesting lactose are not even aware of their limitation. The main problem is encountered when a person who cannot digest lactose quickly slugs down a large glass of milk.
Milk consumption should be encouraged. It is the most nutritious food available to man.
Stuart Patton, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of the Pennsylvania State University and an ACSH Advisor. He is the author of the book Milk: Its Remarkable Contribution to Human Health and Well-Being.
