> The enzyme may well be there but the body reacts adversely to it.
 > Or as in the case of people (such as Asians) who had never had cows
 > milk as children, naturally lack the enzyme but they CAN build a
 > tolerance given small amounts so to build up the enzyme.

No Cindy, it doesnt work that way.  Not at all.  Lactose is present in all
milk types, even human.  It's levels vary but Asian kids get it just fine til
they get older.  This is common.  Animal kingdon shows it too as most adult
cats are lactose intolerant.
             
People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cows milk intolerance
because the symptoms are often the same. However, lactose intolerance and
cows milk intolerance are not related. Being intolerant to cows milk is an
allergic reaction triggered by the immune system. Lactose intolerance is a
problem caused by the digestive system.

What causes lactose intolerance?
Some causes of lactose intolerance are well known. Primary lactase deficiency
is a condition that develops over time. After about age 2 the body begins to
produce less lactase, though most people will not notice symptoms until they
are much older.

Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant and certain ethnic 
and racial populations are more affected than others. Up to 80 percent of
African Americans, 80 to 100 percent of American Indians, and 90 to 100
percent of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant. The condition is least
common among people of northern European descent.

                xxcarol

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