Lactose malabsorption and intolerance and peak bone mass.
OBJECTIVE
Lactose malabsorption per se is not associated with alterations of bone mineral density (BMD) or calcium intake, but when intolerance symptoms are present a lower calcium intake and reduction of BMD values are evident. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lactose intolerance interferes with the achievement of an adequate peak bone mass in young adults.


METHODS
Of 103 enrolled healthy subjects, 55 proved to be lactose malabsorbers with H(2) breath test after lactose administration, and 29 of them experienced intolerance symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence). Lumbar and femoral BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was measured, and calcium intake and biochemical indices of bone and mineral metabolism were evaluated.


RESULTS
Lumbar and femoral BMD, calcium intake, and mineral metabolism did not differ between malabsorbers and absorbers, although among malabsorbers, intolerant subjects showed significant alterations of all these parameters in comparison with tolerant subjects. A strict correlation was evident between BMD values and both severity of symptoms and calcium intake and between calcium intake and severity of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Lactose intolerance prevents the achievement of an adequate peak bone mass and may, therefore, predispose to severe osteoporosis.
Di Stefano
Michele
M
Gastroenterology Unit, IRCCS S.Matteo Hospital, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Veneto
Graziamaria
G
Malservisi
Simona
S
Cecchetti
Loredana
L
Minguzzi
Licia
L
Strocchi
Alessandra
A
Corazza
Gino Roberto
GR
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000378:metabolism*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D002118:Calcium