This study was conducted to evaluate changes in hydrogen breath test results and nutritional improvements when Korean adults diagnosed with lactose intolerance consumed processed milk containing approximately 10 g of lactose continuously. Participants consumed 240 mL of intervention food daily for a month and visited the research institute before and after the intervention to undergo nutrient intake survey and hydrogen breath tests. Data from 32 participants, with a mean age of 52.9 years, were analyzed. Hydrogen breath tests showed a significant decrease in hydrogen levels at all but baseline and the first of five 20-minute intervals of expiratory hydrogen concentration measurements. The third and fourth measurements showed the most significant changes (p < 0.001). The gastrointestinal symptoms showed a decreasing trend. Nutrient intake analysis demonstrated significant increases in animal protein (p < 0.001), calcium (p < 0.001), percentage of energy from protein (p = 0.032), vitamin A (p = 0.032), and retinol levels (p = 0.023). Regarding dietary habits, significant improvements were observed in nutritional quotient variables, including nutritional score (p = 0.042) and balance (p = 0.034). This study suggests that the removal of lactose and dairy products is not necessary for individuals with lactose intolerance. Incorporating low-lactose processed milk into their usual diet might be a practical dietary management strategy.
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This study analyzed the 2019 Community Health Survey data to compare and analyze the health levels and life satisfaction of single-person elderly households based on food security. The final study subjects were 15,606 single-person elderly individuals aged 65 and above. These subjects were classified based on their response to food security into three groups: food sufficient-diverse, food sufficient-not diverse, and food insufficient. The study results showed that the proportion of the food insufficient group among single-person elderly households was 7.4% for men and 10.6% for women, with a slightly higher rate for female elderly. Both male and female elderly over 80 years of age, with low education levels, and basic living support recipients showed significantly higher proportions in the sufficient-not diverse and food insufficient groups. For male elderly, significant differences were observed in subjective health status and oral health level in the food insufficient group, and for female elderly, stress levels also showed significant differences. Life satisfaction scores were generally lower for female elderly compared to male, and significant differences were found in both male and female elderly based on food security. Common factors that significantly influence life satisfaction among single-person elderly households, both male and female, include food security, subjective health status, and living environment satisfaction, with food security being the most impactful factor. The study suggests that it is necessary to include these significant factors in the development of various social activity programs, such as dietary programs, to enhance life satisfaction and food security of single-person elderly households.
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