Are there different types of lactose intolerance?
There are three types of lactose intolerance: Congenital Lactase Deficiency which is a genetic disorder where the body does not produce the enzyme lactase. This type of intolerance will occur at birth. Primary Lactose Intolerance which occurs when infants, children and adults live in non-dairy consuming environments and are not exposed to the lactose in dairy products. The body has reduced its ability to make the enzyme lactase. Secondary Lactose Intolerance occurs after certain gastrointestinal diseases where the production of lactase is disrupted. Common causes of temporary secondary lactose intolerance are gastroenteritis, particularly the gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus and acute diarrhea. . The first two types of lactose intolerance, congenital lactase deficiency and primary lactose intolerance, can be related to a person’s ancestry. For example, over 90% of Asians and Native Americans are lactose intolerant; 75% of African Americans; 50% of North American Hispanics; and 10% o
