Having food intolerances can be a pain in the gut, but what exactly causes these reactions which may include abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, muscle or joint pain, headaches, exhaustion, and even skin symptoms like rashes and eczema?

Dairy is a common culprit and immediately lactose is thought to be the villain. But is it really?

Let’s explore the constituents of milk that cause reactions:

• Lactose is the carbohydrate or ‘sugar’ found in dairy products. Lactase, an enzyme found in the intestines, is needed to break down this sugar. A deficiency of this enzyme means that undigested lactose moves into the colon and may cause bloating, flatulence, pain, diarrhoea

Deficiency of lactase may occur for 3 reasons:

• Congenital causes of lactose intolerance: A person is born without the gene to produce lactase. This is extremely rare and deficiency occurs shortly after birth.
• Secondary causes of lactose intolerance: Deficiency occurs due to diseases that destroy the intestinal lining; e.g. Coeliac disease
• Genetically programmed causes of lactose intolerance: Most common, a person’s lactase declines after childhood and is referred to as adult-type hypolactasia.

• Casein & Whey: Unlike lactose, casein and whey can produce an actual immune response, which is a true allergy, and produces inflammation. However, if no immune response is evident, a person may still show intolerance. Some symptoms differ to lactose intolerance and more commonly include nasal congestion and mucus (phlegm).

Where to get calcium if dairy is eliminated?

Many foods such as sardines (with bones), spinach, shellfish, dried figs and many more are a source of calcium.

Watch out!

Many medicines have ‘hidden’ sources of lactose, casein or whey. It is important to speak with your pharmacist if you are or suspect you are intolerant to dairy.

If you would like to find out more and how it relates to you, please contact our Naturopath.