DNA Lactose Intolerance Test

Could your digestive issues be due to lactose intolerance? Almost 65% of people around the world are lactose intolerant to some degree. Find out if you may be one of them with the DNA Lactose Intolerance test.

• Includes five common genetic variants in the MCM6 gene.

• Differentiates between lactose intolerance and lactase persistence.

• 100% private and confidential online results

• Painless sample collection

• Are you at increased risk of lactose intolerance?

 Detailed Description

Lactose Intolerance vs Lactase Persistence

People who are lactose intolerant cannot digest and absorb the milk sugar lactose, because they produce only low levels of the lactase enzyme. This causes digestive symptoms like gas, bloating and diarrhea, when dairy products are consumed.

Lactase persistence is the opposite of lactose intolerance. People who are lactase persistent are able to produce the lactase enzyme for their entire lives, meaning they can continue to consume dairy products right through adulthood.

A simple mouth swab is all we need to analyze your DNA and determine whether you are at increased risk of lactose intolerance.

The Genetics

Genetic variation is the strongest predictor of lactose intolerance and lactase persistence. This DNA test determines whether you have inherited any of the five common changes in the MCM6 gene that enable lactase persistence.

The MCM6 gene:

The MCM6 gene encodes a protein that controls the production of other proteins. This includes lactase, encoded by the nearby LCT gene. People with at least one of these variants are unlikely to suffer from lactose intolerance. Those that do not carry any of these variants have an increased risk of lactose intolerance.

How Common is Lactose Intolerance?

The likelihood of lactose intolerance depends on ethnicity. Lactose intolerance is the normal phenotype.  The mutations associated with lactase persistence occurred, and were selected for, when there was an increased reliance on dairy as a food source.

Many ethnicities are mostly lactose intolerant, including 90% of Asian Americans, 70% of African-Americans, 95-100% of Native Americans and 50% of Mexican-Americans.

In contrast, less than 25% of Caucasians and only about 5% of people of Northern European ancestry are lactose intolerant, because dairy has been a food staple in their past.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance:

Lactose intolerance causes undigested lactose to build up in the large intestine, resulting in the growth of gas-producing gut bacteria. Symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Gurgling and rumbling sounds from the abdomen

 How It Works

Step 1: Order test kit online
Step 2: Collect DNA sample using a painless mouth swab, and mail to the lab in the provided return envelope
Step 3: Receive your results online

NOTE: Please provide your email address for reporting results.