Lactose malabsorption and rate of bone loss in older women

摘要

Objectives: to study the prevalence of lactose malabsorption with increasing age and to determine whether lactose malabsorbers consume less dietary calcium, have lower bone mineral density or display faster bone loss than lactose absorbers. Design: 80 healthy Caucasian women aged 40-79 years (20 per decade we ere studied for 1 year. Methods: breath hydrogen exhalation was measured for 3 h after a 50 g oral oreal lactose challenge. Bone density was Assessed in the radius, femoral neck, lumbar spine and total body by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and dietary Calcium intake was estimated by 4-day diet records and food-frequency questionnaires.