How long have adult humans been consuming milk?

Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down the milk sugar lactose, and in most mammals, including most humans, lactase activity is down‐regulated after the weaning period is completed. However, in about 35% of adults worldwide, lactase continues to be expressed throughout adulthood, a feature termed lac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IUBMB life 2013-12, Vol.65 (12), p.983-990
Main Authors: Gerbault, Pascale, Roffet‐Salque, Mélanie, Evershed, Richard P., Thomas, Mark G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Drinking Behavior
enzyme mechanisms
evolution
Evolution, Molecular
fatty acids
Feeding Behavior
gas chromatography
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
genetics
Humans
lactase
Lactase - genetics
Lactase - metabolism
Milk - metabolism
Phenotype
protein expression
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Summary:Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down the milk sugar lactose, and in most mammals, including most humans, lactase activity is down‐regulated after the weaning period is completed. However, in about 35% of adults worldwide, lactase continues to be expressed throughout adulthood, a feature termed lactase persistence (LP). Genetic evidence indicates that LP is a recent human adaptation, and its current geographic distribution correlates with the relative historical importance of dairying in different human populations. Investigating archaeological evidence for fresh milk consumption has proved crucial in building an account of the joint evolution of LP and dairying. A powerful technique for investigating food processing, including milk processing, in ancient populations is lipid residue analysis on archaeological pottery. We review here the archaeological and genetic evidence available that have contributed to a better understanding of the gene‐culture co‐evolution of LP and dairying. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(12):983–990, 2013.
ISSN:1521-6543
1521-6551
DOI:10.1002/iub.1227