Lactose Malabsorption in Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Lactose Malabsorption in Africa
Author:	Simoons, Frederick J.
Year:	1978
Periodical:	African Economic History
Volume:	5
Period:	Spring
Pages:	16-34
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	milk nutrition Health and Nutrition
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/3601438
Abstract:	Survey of the present state of knowledge on primary adult lactose malabsorption in the context of African economic history. Evidence on the predominance of primary adult lactose malasorption as of 1970 is examined, as are various hypotheses put forward to explain the differences in malabsorption between different racial and ethnic groups. Subsequently the article examines the evidence from antiquity for the spread and development of dairying in Africa, the predominance of lactose malabsorption among Africans and groups of African origin, the-hypotheses which have been advanced to explain the differences in lactose malasorption among different groups in Africa, and public policy toward encouraging milk use among Africans. Ref., fig, tab, maps, French abstract.