Dietary intake, bone mineral density, and urinary bone resorption markers in young adults with lactose intolerance

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate milk and dairy product intake, dietary intake, bone mineral density (BMD), and urinary bone resorption markers in young adults with lactose intolerance. Materials and meth-ods: A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting 100 adults aged 19 - 31 years. Self-reported lactose intolerance was inves-tigated and dietary intake was determined using a 24-hour recall method. Body com-position and BMD of the calcaneus were measured, and spot urine was collected to measure bone resorption markers and min-erals. Results: The proportion of subjects with lactose intolerance was 24% for men and 52% for women. Among women with lactose intolerance, the average preference for milk and dairy products was 3.18 out of 5, which was significantly lower than 4.09 in the control group. In women, the intake fre-quency of yogurt and soy milk in the lactose intolerance group was significantly lower than in the control group. The daily intake of fish and nutrients such as fat, iron, and zinc was significantly higher in women with lactose intolerance. There was no signifi-cant difference in BMD, the urinary excre-tion of minerals, N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, or deoxypyridinoline, which are bone resorption markers, according to lactose intolerance both in men or women. Conclusion: In women with lactose intol-erance, the preference for milk and dairy products was lower than that of lactose-tol-erant people, but their intake was not low, and accordingly, there were no significant decreases in BMD or urinary bone resorp-tion markers.