The short-term response to a drink of milk, lactose or casein in children with apparently normal gastrointestinal tracts

Abstract

1. Drinks of milk, lactose and casein were given to children who, though suspected of having malabsorption, were subsequently found to have normal gastrointestinal tracts. The plasma concentrations of glucose, amino acids, urea and insulin following these drinks were measured. The results can probably be taken to represent control values when investigating children with gastrointestinal or metabolic disorders.2. The rise in plasma amino acids after giving casein and the rise in plasma glucose after giving lactose were greater than those after giving equivalent amounts of milk.3. The absorption of an individual food constituent and its uptake by the tissues are influenced by the presence of other food constituents so that ‘tolerance tests’ with individual nutrients may not be truly physiological.