Lactose intolerance in East Indians of Trinidad

The incidence of intolerance and by inference intestinal lactase deficiency was investigated by means of the oral lactose tolerance test in 30 East Indians born in Trinidad but of Indian heritage. Twenty showed flat curves (67 percent) and twenty had cramps and diarrhoea following the lactose load (67 percent). In India milk consumption is less than in Trinidad. Since all subjects were of the same racial origin the findings are interpreted as suggesting that lactase deficiency among East Indians is inherited on a genetic basis. (Summary)