Lactose and Calcium Absorption in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Lactose Intolerance and Bone Health: The Challenge of Ensuring Adequate Calcium Intake

“…A study by Nickel et al [26] found no significant difference in calcium absorption from a range of dairy products differing in lactose level (milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese, processed cheese) in adult women. Similarly, using a single calcium isotope, Horowitz [27] found no relationship between lactose content and calcium absorption and an equal absorption efficiency in postmenopausal women, whether or not they were maldigesters. The lack of effect of lactose on calcium absorption may not hold true in the elderly, although evidence to support this is ambiguous.…”

Nutrient Considerations in Lactose Intolerance

“…Milk and milk products contribute 73% of the calcium to the U.S. food supply [69]. Interestingly, in this report, and another by Horowitz et al [71], few of the LNP subjects reported a history of milk intolerance and yet they still restricted milk intake. For example, Newcomer et al [70] found that 8 of 30 women with osteoporosis were lactose maldigesters compared to only 1 of 30 controls.…”

Osteoporosis in Gastrointestinal, Pancreatic, and Hepatic Diseases

“…Lactose increases calcium absorption in a number of animals including humans [24,25], and lactase deficiency has been associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis [26][27][28]. Lactose increases calcium absorption in a number of animals including humans [24,25], and lactase deficiency has been associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis [26][27][28].…”