People genetically intolerant to lactose, the main sugar found in dairy, have lower blood levels of vitamin D than the general population, new research from the University of Toronto shows.
The researchers found those who had a gene associated with lactose intolerance (called LCT) consumed lower amounts of dairy products than those without that variation. The lactose intolerant also had lower levels of vitamin D in their blood – unsurprisingly, since dairy products are fortified with vitamin D, and most people don’t get enough of this vitamin from the sun or from other foods.
Ahmed El-Sohemy, a professor of nutrition at the Faculty of Medicine, who authored the study with Ohood Alharbi, a PhD candidate in U of T’s department of nutritional science, said:
“We were not surprised that lactose intolerant people ate less dairy, but we were surprised that they did not compensate by supplementing or eating other foods fortified with this crucial nutrient. These findings speak to the need for greater awareness for those who limit dairy because of lactose intolerance. They need to be mindful of getting enough vitamin D from other fortified foods like certain brands of orange juice, or to consider trying lactose-free dairy products.
The study involved 1,495 Canadian men and women from different ethnicities.
Essential Nutrients
The researchers also confirmed previous findings that those who have the gene for lactose intolerance are slightly shorter than those who don’t – suggesting insufficient intakes of these essential nutrients are limiting bone growth.
And for the first time, they found that people with just one – instead of two copies – of this variant were also affected by lactose intolerance, albeit to a lesser degree, suggesting that clinical definitions and genetic classifications of lactose intolerance could be expanded.
Lactose intolerance was found across ethnic groups – although the largest proportion by far occurred in people of East Asian heritage.
Ohood Alharbi and Ahmed El-Sohemy
Lactose Intolerance (LCT-13910C>T) Genotype Is Associated with Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Caucasians: A Mendelian Randomization Study
J. Nutr. jn246108; 2017. doi:10.3945/jn.116.246108
Last Updated on September 12, 2023