What is the occurrence of lactose intolerance?

The human body is genetically programmed to digest milk during the early childhood, at the time of breastfeeding, when the lactase production level in the body is at the highest level. After that period, natural decline in the production of lactase enzyme sets in. Lactose intolerance is a completely normal condition, which normally gradually arrives with the increasing age. In Central and Eastern European countries, 10 - 20 % of the population suffer from various degrees of milk sugar intolerance. Very rarely it may occur as a congenital condition.