Intestinal lactase deficiency and milk drinking capacity in the adult

The milk drinking capacity of 200 adults was determined experimentally and the results correlated with their milk drinking habits and intestinal lactase activity as judged by a lactase tolerance test. Intestinal lactase activity seemed to be important in determining the extremes of milk ingestion: four or more glasses per day or no milk ingestion, but had little effect in the intermediate pattern of milk consumption. It is concluded that intestinal lactase deficiency has clinical relevance and should be considered when nutritional supplementation with milk is contemplated