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Lactose Intolerance Lactose Intolerance Is the Inability to Digest a Sugar Called

Question 162

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Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest a sugar called lactose in milk and other dairy products. Adults in most of the world are lactose intolerant, although infants are not. This is because many adults lack an enzyme known as lactase. Lactase, which can be found in cells in the intestine, is the enzyme that breaks down lactose.
Many individuals lose the ability to synthesize lactase after age six. However, not everyone does. Whether or not the body continues to produce lactase often depends on ethnicity. While only 5-15% of adults of European descent cannot digest lactose, 80-90% of adults of African and Asian descent are lactose intolerant. Research has shown that people of northern European ancestry contain a genetic mutation that allows the secretion of lactase in adulthood.
The main symptom of lactose intolerance is gastrointestinal upset. Lactose intolerant people may experience diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, gas, and vomiting after consuming lactose-containing foods and beverages. Although there has been some research into gene therapy as a treatment for lactose intolerance, the current best treatment is either ingesting lactase supplements when consuming dairy products or simply avoiding foods containing lactose altogether.
Question: What is the best summary for the passage?


A) Lactose intolerance is a condition in which sufferers cannot digest the sugar lactose that is found in milk and other dairy products. It affects adults much more often than children, who can produce the enzyme lactase that allows lactose to be digested.
B) Lactose intolerance, the inability to digest milk sugar, is much more common in African and Asian adults than in Caucasian adults. It causes a range of gastrointestinal problems but can be treated with lactase supplements.
C) Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose-a sugar found in milk. It affects some African and Asian people, but tends not to affect so many adults of European descent. It has many symptoms and can be treated with lactase supplements.
D) There has been some research into using gene therapy as a potential treatment for lactose intolerance. But the best treatment at the moment is ingesting lactase supplements.

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