Peptides from human dental calculus indicate that Eneolithic populations in the Volga steppes did not milk their domesticated cattle, sheep, or goats, or horses; while in Yamnaya populations dairy foods were ubiquitous, indicating a... more
Peptides from human dental calculus indicate that Eneolithic populations in the Volga steppes did not milk their domesticated cattle, sheep, or goats, or horses; while in Yamnaya populations dairy foods were ubiquitous, indicating a beginning of dairying in the Yamnaya period after 3300 BC. Peptides indicated milk from cows, sheep, goats, and horses was consumed by Yamnaya people. The 2 Yamnaya individuals with horse milk exhibit the oldest known peptide evidence for horse milk consumption.
Milk has been known as nature's most complete Food. Among the components of milk is lactose. Some people who lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose suffer from lactose intolerance and therefore cannot digest milk. Worldwide, nearly 70... more
Milk has been known as nature's most complete Food. Among the components of milk is lactose. Some people who lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose suffer from lactose intolerance and therefore cannot digest milk. Worldwide, nearly 70 percent of the adult population is thought to be lactose intolerant, and the condition is very common among American Indians and those of Asian, African, Hispanic, and Mediterranean descent. Lactose intolerance is one of the factors affecting milk demand and consumption, which subsequently influencing milk market/ productivity. But no information is available on lactose intolerance in Ethiopia. Therefore, this paper is the first attempt to study the incidence of lactose intolerance in the country. The aim of the paper, therefore, was to generate information on lactose intolerance through case study approach including questionnaire survey and document analysis. In the case study area of Ada district of Eastern Shoa of Ethiopia, out of 188 households/individuals surveyed, 7.45% of the respondents reported that they don't consume milk but consume fermented milk ('Ergo'). The majority reported symptoms of lactose intolerance (71.4% get vomiting upon consuming milk, 28.6% feel abdominal pain). The percentage of occurrence of lactose intolerance found in the survey is believed to affect the milk consumption in the country. Dairy processors need to make yoghurt or remove lactose, for consumers with special dietary requirements/lactose intolerance/to improve milk consumption. Awareness about lactose intolerance also needs to be created in the society by health extension workers.
