Culture of Milk:

Below is a video I have created that discusses the socio-cultural portion of my research. Underneath the video, the genomic portion of my thesis is further applied to the patterns discussed in the socio-cultural aspect of my video. 

Application of Genomic Findings

MXL populations showed intermediate frequencies of LP mutations, specifically rs182549 and rs4988235. This shows that there are similar frequencies in both Mexican-American parents and Mexican-migrant parents living in Los Angeles as a result of all interview participants. This is the case as a result of MXL having both Mayan and European genetic admixture, which both interview cohorts also have, as no participant reported as being Indigenous Mayan.

So, it can be inferred that one causative factor for the overall consumption of lactose is the result of the presence of the mutations at rs182549 and rs4988235. These mutations are further not bilateral in effect; having either mutation does not imply high LP but infers the possibility of more persistence being present. The behavioral consumption of milk in both Mexican-American parents and Mexican-migrant parents is a result of the presence of variation in LP genetic influences. In other words, the overall low consumption of total milk in interview participants-- as in Mexican migrant parents drinking on average six cups and Mexican-American parents drinking less than four a week, which are far less than the US national recommendation of 21 cups  (Sebastian et al., 2010)-- is a result of low-intermediate frequencies of LP alleles. This is further indicative of specific total interview cohort differences being primarily a result of social effects. However, the LP allele frequencies in MXL are not as high in prevalence, making the variation of consumption of lactose products in Mexican-American parents and Mexican migrant parents not solely derived genetically, but also influenced through the microbiome (bacteria and microorganisms) in the gut.

The microbiome itself is shaped by lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, aging, urbanization, and place of upbringing. Dairy products can affect the microbiome by increasing bacterial diversity and fermentation, which can also affect the way dairy products are digested.  Because Mexican migrant parents were generally raised in Mexico, and Mexican-American parents were raised in the United States, differences in diet and urban exposure may be a factor that has contributed to how these populations consume dairy products. In other words, the microbiome plays an important role in shaping how individuals digest dairy products and experience LNP symptoms such as bloating or discomfort.