Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass that leads to increased
bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Lactose intolerance is characterized by abdominal pain and/or
diarrhea following the ingestion of lactose in people with lactase deficiency. The most common therapeutic
approach to lactose intolerance is to exclude dairy products from the diet, which are the main source of calcium.
We studied a group of patients with symptoms attributable to lactose intolerance part of whom was receiving
a lactose-free diet and measured their intake of calcium, bone density and body mass index. We found that
both groups were introducing a lower amount of calcium than recommended, with no difference between a
free-lactose diet and a regular diet. Osteopenia was present in 35% of patients and it was inversely related
to body mass index. Proper nutritional education is necessary in children in order to prevent overweight and
osteopenia. Also the importance of exercise should be reinforced at school, because the peak of bone mass is
obtained during adolescence and it is an essential factor in determining the future risk of osteoporosis and
fractures.
