Milk Allergy
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is the sugar found in milk. The small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase. Its job is to break lactose down into two simpler sugars called glucose and galactose. This allows the glucose to be absorbed into the bloodstream. If there is not enough lactase to perform this task, the unaltered lactose passes into the large intestine and begins to ferment, producing acids and gases.
This condition, called lactose intolerance, results in some or all of the following symptoms after drinking milk or eating dairy products:
Stomach feels tight and irritable
Flatulence
Nausea and cramps
Diarrhea/constipation
Lactase is produced in high quantities during the first two years of life,
These may also contain Lactose:
Bread and bread products
Cakes and biscuits
Sweets
Instant potatoes
Margarine
Prescription drugs
Over the counter medicines
Mixes for pancakes, biscuits and cookies
Processed breakfast cereals
Salad Dressings
Lunch meats
Soups
Some conclude that they are allergic to milk because of the reactions they suffer after consuming a dairy product. So which is it, an allergy or intolerance? According to some allergy experts, food allergies are rare, with only 1 to 2 percent of the general population affected. In children, this figure is higher but less than 8 percent. Though the symptoms of an allergy and of lactose intolerance can be similar, there are differences.
The symptoms of a food allergy are the result of the immune system providing a defense - histamine - against something you have been eating or drinking. Some symptoms involve the swelling of the lips or tongue, hives (rash) or asthma. Lactose intolerance will not cause these symptoms because the immune system is not involved. Lactose intolerance I involves the body's inability to assimilate a food properly, thus resulting in a reaction.
What can help you tell the difference? The book the sensitive Gut answers: "Genuine allergic reactions . . . occur with minutes of ingesting an offending food. Symptoms that arise more than an hour later most likely indicate intolerance"
The Effect on Infants
When an infant or young child suffers a reaction from drinking milk, it can be distressing to the child as well as to the parents. If a child develops diarrhea, dehydration could result. It may be wise for parents to seek the advice of a pediatrician. When intolerance is diagnosed, some doctors have recommended changing from milk to a supplement. The result for many has been relief from the distressing symptoms.
In the case of an allergy, there is more concern. Some doctors provide an antihistamine. However, if breathing is restricted, more will need to be done to alleviate the situation. In rare cases, a potentially fatal condition called anaphylaxis can occur.
If an infant begins vomiting, another concern is a rare condition called galactosemia. As mention earlier, the galactose is separated by lactase, but galactose needs to be converted into glucose. If an accumulation of galactose occurs, severe liver damage, kidney deformity, mental retardation, hypoglycemia and even cataracts can result. Hence, early and complete elimination of lactose from the infant's diet is vital.
How serious is Lactose Intolerance?
One young woman had been suffering from chronic symptoms of gas and stomach cramps. Her condition became so severe that she sought medical attention. After a series of tests, she was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). To control this disease medication was prescribed. However she did not stop her daily routine of consuming dairy products, so her symptoms remained. After doing personal research, she realized that her diet might be the culprit and she systematically began to avoid certain foods. Eventually, she eliminated dairy products and her symptoms began to disappear. With a year - and after she had more tests - her doctor told her that she did not have IBD? She was lactose intolerant.
At this time, there is no treatment that can promote the production of lactase in the human body. However, lactose intolerance has not been found to be life threatening.
Phosphate in milk is 3 times more than mother’s milk. With a phosphate allergy quark, butter is allowed. Phosphate also inhibits the absorption of calcium, magnesium and zinc
HERBAL REMEDY:
Yarrow - Also known as Achillea Millefolium
Uses: Indigestion, digestive tonic, food intolerance, leaky gut, flatulence, bloating
Description Yarrow is classified by herbalists as one of the bitter herbs. Other
Herbs in this category include Centaurium, Gentian and Dandelion. These have the common ability to stimulate digestive processes, increasing gastric juice secretion and improving the breakdown of food
How it works Yarrow contains volatile oils and flavonoids. These have an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action on the digestive system, easing colic and reducing flatulence.
Bitters stimulate the taste buds. This triggers off a reflex nerve action which increases the flow of saliva and stomach enzymes. The sum total of this is an improvement in the digestive function of the stomach and small intestines.
Bitters can also be very useful for children with poor appetites
Does not use if you intend to sunbathe or use a snubbed as Yarrow can have a photosensitizing action?
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Arsen alb Simultaneous diarrhea and vomiting - for food poisoning and
Patient feels very chilly and/or terribly weak
Bryonia Stitching pains. Heaviness in stomach 'Like a stone' soon after eating. Nausea and faintness on attempting to sit up. Stomach sensitive to touch
Dairy Link to Prostate Cancer
According to new research eating a diet that is high in dairy products can make men more at risk for prostate cancer. A recent study looked at men who consumed less than half a serving of dairy products a day to men who those who eat more. Those eating 2.5 servings a day or more appeared to be a third more likely to develop cancer than those who ate the lowest amounts. The study looked at dairy foods such as cheese a serving of which was 5 oz, a half a pint of milk and 6 oz of yoghurt.
Researchers from Harvard studied the dietary habits of 21,000 American doctors over 11 years. The study showed that 1,100 doctors developed prostate cancer and they were the group who consumed the most dairy products. The publication in the American journal of Clinical Nutrition say there is evidence to link dairy consumption to prostate cancer. Those who ate the most dairy products had 17% less vitamin D in their bloodstream than those who consumed the least. Vitamin plays a protective role against prostate cancer.
According to Dr Tom Key from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund “Prostate cancer rates are higher in Western countries with a high intake of meat and dairy products than in Asian countries with a lower intake of these foods. Dairy products are high in calcium but there is calcium in most foods and other sources include green vegetables and most types of bread."
Dairy products are loaded with calcium which tends to decrease oxidation in the cells making people more susceptible to cancers such as prostate cancer. Dairy products are imbalanced as there is too much calcium in relation to magnesium. Being overweight also puts men at risk for prostate cancer. Men should look at following a healthy eating plan that favours a high amount of fruit and vegetables and low amounts of dairy produce. It might be wise to take a zinc supplement as this is the mineral that is necessary for a healthy prostate gland.
