werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner) (02/27/86)
The so-called phenonemon of 'Milk (lactose) intolerance' is actually more correctly called 'Syndrome of Lactase Non-persistence.' Lactase, the enzyme involved in breaking down milk sugar, normally diminishes after puberty to 10-20% of childhood levels by 18, sometimes less, but rarely totally dissapears. This is true for almost the entire population of the Earth except Northern Europeans, who retain the enzyme all their life (lucky them). True 'Milk (Lactose) Intolerance' should only correctly be connected to the syndrome of total absence of the enzyme at birth, or of a related set of enzymes involved in Galactose metabolism (Lac = Galactose + Glucose). -- Craig Werner !philabs!aecom!werner I'll also entertain gifts,knick-knacks,offers of money, & proposals of marriage