Not enough of an enzyme called lactase in the small intestine to digest lactose, a prominent
comp
onent of milk and most other dairy products. Lactose is sometimes
also used as an ingredient in other foods, so anyone with lactase
deficiency should check food labels with care.
Most people are born with the ability to make adequate amounts of
lactase, but lactase production tends normally to go down with age, more so in some persons than others. There are significant differences in lactase production among different ethnic groups.
Inadequate lactase production can cause difficulty digesting
lactose-containing products, which include dairy products themselves
and any foods containing dairy products as ingredients.
The most common symptoms of lactase deficiency are diarrhea,
bloating, and gas. The diagnosis of lactase deficiency may be made by a trial of a lactose-free diet or by special testing.
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