Got Milk? Hope Not

Charles reminisces about the 1950s when he enjoyed a popular children’s local TV show, “Engineer Bill.”

Each day, Engineer Bill asked his young viewers to bring a glass of milk in front of the TV and participate in a game called Red Light, Green Light. On the green signal, the children were supposed to take a big drink of milk and not stop until Engineer Bill called, “red light.”

As much as Charles enjoyed playing the game, drinking the milk caused stomach cramps.

What did it mean?

While the intention of the Red Light, Green Light game was good nutrition, the producers were unaware that not everybody needs milk, including Charles, who had recently arrived in the United States from China. Globally, 90% of Asians, Africans and Native Americans are lactose-intolerant because of a missing lactase enzyme that breaks down lactose, a complex sugar found in milk. Lactase is present in infants, allowing them to digest their mothers’ milk, but after weaning, the enzyme disappears in the majority of the world’s population.

For them, milk and milk products produce cramps and diarrhea.

Nowadays, special milks and tablets are available to aid those who lack the lactase enzyme. These items allow them to enjoy dairy products without discomfort.

*

Norine Dresser’s latest book is “Multicultural Celebrations” (ThreeRivers Press, 1999). E-Mail: norined@earthlink.net.