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Lactose Tolerance in Asians: a Family Study

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Abstract

THE question of the genetic as opposed to adaptive origin of lactose intolerance in Asians has been discussed in several recent communications. Bolin and Davis1,2 favour an adaptive origin based on the finding that oriental subjects with lactose intolerance in Australia consume, on average, less than half the amount of lactose containing food eaten by Australians. In Thailand, however, no lactase induction has been found in individuals with lactose intolerance after either prolonged daily intake of fresh milk3 or daily intake of lactose for a month4. In our previous survey in northern Thailand, the only adult Thai with lactose tolerance came from Ayuthaya Province (approximately 70 km north of Bangkok).

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Genetics Laboratory and Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    G. FLATZ & CH. SAENGUDOM

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  1. G. FLATZ
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  2. CH. SAENGUDOM
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FLATZ, G., SAENGUDOM, C. Lactose Tolerance in Asians: a Family Study. Nature 224, 915–916 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/224915a0

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