Tag: Lactase non persistence

Globally, approximately 65% of the human population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, a condition known as lactase non-persistence. The answer to "Why do I not produce lactase?" is most often rooted in your genetics, which is a normal, evolutionary-driven trait for most adults.

Approximately 65% of the human population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy. So, why do some people not produce lactase, the enzyme needed to break down this sugar found in milk? The answer lies in a combination of genetics, evolution, and, in some cases, other underlying medical conditions.

Research indicates that over 80% of some Alaskan Inuit and Native American populations were found to be unable to tolerate lactose. This high prevalence answers the question, are Inuit lactose intolerant?, and is linked to their genetic heritage and a traditional diet that historically contained no dairy products.

While roughly 65% of the world's population is lactose intolerant, the reasons behind this common trait in Finnish individuals are particularly interesting. A mix of inherited factors, including a higher incidence of the severe congenital form and the more common adult-type, explains why Finnish people are lactose intolerant at a notable rate compared to some other Northern European nations.