The Article in Brief
Effect of Raw Milk on Lactose Intolerance: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Christopher Gardner , and colleagues
Background Unpasteurized raw milk consumption has increased in popularity and emerged into a nationwide movement. This pilot study aimed to determine whether raw milk reduces lactose malabsorption and/or lactose intolerance symptoms associated with pasteurized milk.
What This Study Found Raw milk did not reduce lactose malabsorption or lactose intolerance symptoms when compared with pasturized milk. Data on 16 adults with lactose intolerance and lactose malabsorption who underwent three eight-day milk phases (raw vs 2 controls: pasteurized milk and soy) in randomized order separated by 1-week washout periods were analyzed. Hydrogen breath testing showed higher lactose malabsorption for raw vs pasteurized milk on day 1 and comparable degrees of lactose malabsorption on day 8. Self-reported symptom severities were similar for raw and pasteurized milk on day 7. Compared to soy milk, both dairy milks caused significantly greater degrees of lactose malabsorption and intolerance symptoms.
Implications
- The evidence supporting raw milk consumption remains anecdotal, as do other health benefit claims for raw milk. The authors call for larger trials to confirm these findings and examine potential ethnic and racial differences.