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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Mayo Clinic; Milk Allergy; August 2011
- Cleveland Clinic; Diseases and Conditions; Lactose Intolerance
- Mayo Clinic; Milk Allergy; Symptoms
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
The Disadvantages of Dairy
Dairy products provide your metabolism with necessary calcium and vitamin D, helping your bones and teeth to stay strong. The disadvantages of dairy appear for those who suffer from allergies or lactose intolerance. When the immune system responds abnormally to dairy products, allergic reactions occur. Of all the food allergies in children, milk allergies are the most prevalent. Dairy allergies cause respiratory distress, digestive problems and skin disorders. Lactose intolerance is another adverse condition related to eating dairy and causes digestion problems 2.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Respiratory
Respiratory distress associated with dairy allergies includes wheezing, swelling of the airway, coughing, sneezing, asthma attacks and runny nose.include:
- Respiratory distress associated with dairy allergies includes wheezing
- swelling of the airway
- coughing
- sneezing
- asthma attacks
- runny nose
With severe dairy allergies, anaphylaxis causes loss of consciousness and respiratory failure. People with severe allergies should always have an epinephrine pen available for immediate treatment.
Digestion
Dairy Allergy Symptoms in Adults
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Digestive problems are common with dairy allergies. Symptoms include:
- abdominal cramps
- diarrhea
- gas
- bloating
- flatulence
- nausea
The symptoms appear from a few minutes to two hours after eating dairy products. Severity of the symptoms depends upon the amount of dairy eaten and how much dairy you can tolerate.
Skin
Dairy allergies often appear as hives, rashes, eczema and itchiness around the mouth. Hives are red, swollen bumps that itch or burn, usually on the chest. Eczema causes inflammation of the skin that itches and burns, especially on the face, arms, legs and scalp. Severe eczema results in skin blisters and oozing sores.
- Dairy allergies often appear as hives, rashes, eczema and itchiness around the mouth.
- Eczema causes inflammation of the skin that itches and burns, especially on the face, arms, legs and scalp.
Lactose Intolerance
Dairy Allergies and Mucus
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When your body does not produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, it results in lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products.
Alternatives
Allergies to dairy are incurable, so alternative sources of calcium and vitamin D are necessary for overall health. One alternative for cow's milk is soy-based milk. Spinach, broccoli and bread also provide calcium for those allergic to dairy. Vegan products do not contain any animal by-products, so they are a source of dairy-free foods. Replace ice cream with sorbet, freeze pops or rice-based desserts. Read all food labels carefully, because many foods contain milk by-products that could trigger an allergic reaction.
- Allergies to dairy are incurable, so alternative sources of calcium and vitamin D are necessary for overall health.
- Vegan products do not contain any animal by-products, so they are a source of dairy-free foods.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic; Milk Allergy; August 2011
- Cleveland Clinic; Diseases and Conditions; Lactose Intolerance
- KidsHealth.org; Milk Allergy; D. Pauline Williams, MPA, RD, CD; November 2009
- Mayo Clinic; Milk Allergy; Symptoms
- Swagerty, D. L., Jr., Walling, A. D., & Klein, R. M. (2002). Lactose intolerance. American Family Physician, 65(9), 1845-1850.
- Varenna, M., Manara, M., Galli, L., Binelli, L., Zucchi, F., & Sinigaglia, L. (2013). The Association Between Osteoporosis and Hypertension: The Role of A Low Dairy Intake. Calcified Tissue International, 93(1), 86-92.
- Chen, M., Pan, A., Malik, V. S., & Hu, F. B. (2012). Effects of dairy intake on body weight and fat: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96(4), 735-747.
- Abargouei, A. S., Janghorbani, M., Salehi-Marzijarani, M., & Esmaillzadeh, A. (2012). Effect of dairy consumption on weight and body composition in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. International Journal of Obesity, 36(12), 1485-1493. doi:10.1038/ijo.2011.269
- Pal, S., Ellis, V., & Dhaliwal, S. (2010). Effects of whey protein isolate on body composition, lipids, insulin and glucose in overweight and obese individuals. British Journal of Nutrition, 104(05), 716-723.
- Kratz, M., Baars, T., & Guyenet, S. (2012). The relationship between high-fat dairy consumption and obesity, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease. European Journal of Nutrition, 52(1), 1-24.
- Staszak, E. (2005). Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Content of Milk from Cows Fed Different Diets. Folia Biologica, 53(4), 103-106.
- Hebeisen, D. F., Hoeflin, F., Reusch, H. P., Junker, E., & Lauterburg, B. H. (1993). Increased concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in milk and platelet rich plasma of grass-fed cows. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research, 69(3), 229-233.
- Thom, E., Wadstein, J., & Gudmundsen, O. (2001). Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Fat in Healthy Exercising Humans. Journal of International Medical Research, 29(5), 392-396.
- Blanks, H., Stakkestad, J. A., Fagertun, H., Thom, E., Wadstein, J., & Gudmundsen, O. (2000). Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduces Body Fat Mass in Overweight and Obese Humans. Journal of Nutrition, 130(12), 2943-2948.
- Lorente-Cebrián, S., Costa, A. G., & Navas-Carretero, S. (2013). Role of omega-3 fatty acids in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases: a review of the evidence. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 69(3), 633-651.
- Cox, A. J., West, N. P., & Cripps, A. W. (2015). Obesity, inflammation, and the gut microbiota. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinology, 3(3), 207-215.
- Rice, B. H. (2014). Dairy and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review of Recent Observational Research. Current Nutrition Reports, 3(2), 130-138.
- Liang, J., Zhou, Q., Kwame, A. W., Su, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2016). Biomarkers of dairy fat intake and risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta analysis of prospective studies. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 00-00.
- Kaaks, R. (n.d.). Nutrition, Insulin, IGF-1 Metabolism and Cancer Risk: A Summary of Epidemiological Evidence. Biology of IGF-1: Its Interaction with Insulin in Health and Malignant States. Novartis Foundation Symposia, 247-264.
- Lampe, J. W. (2011). Dairy products and cancer. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 30(5), 464S-470S.
- Davoodi, H., Esmaeili, S., & Mortazavian, A. (2013). Effects of Milk and Milk Products Consumption on Cancer: A Review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 12(3), 249-264.
Writer Bio
Karen Curley has more than 18 years experience in health and nutrition, specializing in healthy food choices for families. She received USDA certification in food components, nutrient sources, food groups and infant/child nutrition, and holds a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts. Curley is also an avid gardener, home renovator, Collie breeder, dog groomer and dog trainer.