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> I think I read that processing milk into yogurt, cheese, butter, etc removes lactose or makes it easier for the lactose intolerant to consume. But don't quote

> I think I read that processing milk into yogurt, cheese, butter, etc removes lactose or makes it easier for the lactose intolerant to consume. But don't quote me on that. I've read that too I think it breaks down the lactose sugar molecule which is why lactose intolerant people can eat Greek yogurt (not just any yogurt) and cheese. It's kind of odd we call people lactose intolerant when probably only 5% of the world is able to digest lactose. The majority of the world cannot digest lactose but that's normal not a disease.

cortesoft 8y ago
The phrase ‘lactose intolerant’ does not imply that it is a disease, it is just stating a fact. How else would you describe it?
- tqkxzugoaupvwqr 8y ago
  I think he/she meant instead of giving the normal (the 95% of the population) a label, it would make more sense to give the special case (the 5% of the population) a label.
  - dbuder 8y ago
    And he/she is wrong to complain, we are all lead intolerant.
  - dghughes 8y ago
    It's probably due to being able to digest lactose as a benefit it's not a problem so that throws off our perception of it. If 5% of the world developed the ability to see UV light would be call the other 95% UV-intolerant. For the record I am not lactose intolerant my northern European ancestors developed that ability (plus blue eyes, blond hair & red hair).
trophycase 8y ago
This is anecdotally true from my experience.
perl4ever 8y ago
I don't think 95% are lactose intolerant globally. Also, being lactose intolerant from birth is a disorder, and it's extremely rare. The Wikipedia article on the subject mentions that the number of people who are lactose intolerant as adults is unknown, but goes on to say "One estimate puts the average at 65% of the global population.[8] Rates of lactose intolerance vary between regions, from less than 10% in Northern Europe to as high as 95% in parts of Asia and Africa.[3]" It goes on to say that evidence suggests that lactase persistence has evolved multiple times independently, so it's not just a one time European mutation. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance
- danieltillett 8y ago
  The lactose persistence gene variant found in Europeans is a one time mutation. It has evolved independently in Africa a few times too, but these variants are not found in ethnic Europeans. Far less than 35% of the worlds population is lactose tolerant as an adult. I will take a look at the review linked on wiki and try to see how robust this number is. Edit. Ok trekking back through the literature the estimate is based on old measures of the lactase persistence phenotype which is not very reliable, not on genetic data. It is likely to be wrong just on demographic growth alone in the last 40 years. My guess is around 15% of the worlds population is actually able to digest lactose in adulthood.

cortesoft 8y ago

The phrase ‘lactose intolerant’ does not imply that it is a disease, it is just stating a fact. How else would you describe it?

tqkxzugoaupvwqr 8y ago
I think he/she meant instead of giving the normal (the 95% of the population) a label, it would make more sense to give the special case (the 5% of the population) a label.
- dbuder 8y ago
  And he/she is wrong to complain, we are all lead intolerant.
- dghughes 8y ago
  It's probably due to being able to digest lactose as a benefit it's not a problem so that throws off our perception of it. If 5% of the world developed the ability to see UV light would be call the other 95% UV-intolerant. For the record I am not lactose intolerant my northern European ancestors developed that ability (plus blue eyes, blond hair & red hair).

trophycase 8y ago

This is anecdotally true from my experience.

perl4ever 8y ago

I don't think 95% are lactose intolerant globally. Also, being lactose intolerant from birth is a disorder, and it's extremely rare. The Wikipedia article on the subject mentions that the number of people who are lactose intolerant as adults is unknown, but goes on to say "One estimate puts the average at 65% of the global population.[8] Rates of lactose intolerance vary between regions, from less than 10% in Northern Europe to as high as 95% in parts of Asia and Africa.[3]" It goes on to say that evidence suggests that lactase persistence has evolved multiple times independently, so it's not just a one time European mutation. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance

danieltillett 8y ago
The lactose persistence gene variant found in Europeans is a one time mutation. It has evolved independently in Africa a few times too, but these variants are not found in ethnic Europeans. Far less than 35% of the worlds population is lactose tolerant as an adult. I will take a look at the review linked on wiki and try to see how robust this number is. Edit. Ok trekking back through the literature the estimate is based on old measures of the lactase persistence phenotype which is not very reliable, not on genetic data. It is likely to be wrong just on demographic growth alone in the last 40 years. My guess is around 15% of the worlds population is actually able to digest lactose in adulthood.