Dairy intolerance & casein allergy can have mild to severe symptoms including gas, indigestion, fatigue, ear infections, increased colds/flu, mucus in nose or lungs, sinus infections, and a weakened immune system. In addition, most cow's milk (unless organic) is filled with bovine growth hormone which has negative health effects (early puberty in children and increase cancer risk in adults). Read more about the problems with dairy here.

There are two distinctive sensitivity issues related to milk.  One is an intolerance to lactose which is widespread and most common in people of African and Asian decent, but affects people to varying degrees from all continents.  Lactose is the carbohydrate portion of the milk and is a simply a difficult to digest complex carbohydrate.  Most often people get digestive disturbance from lactose, including symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, constipation, etc.  Other symptoms are excess mucous production resulting in breathing problems such as asthma and sinus congestion, weakened immune system, and ear infections. 

For sensitive individuals, we recommend reducing lactose by switching to a non dairy milk such as almond, rice or coconut milk.  (We do not recommend soy milk, since this presents its own digestive problems.)  And we recommend using products such as lactase and Allergyzyme to improve the digestion of lactose, thereby reducing or eliminating symptoms. 

Another sensitivity to dairy involves one of the two milk proteins known as casein.  A casein sensitivity can be more severe than a lactose sensitivity and research links it with increased severity of symptoms in autism, severe skin problems (eczema), and other typical allergic reactions, including autoimmune dysfunction.  For affected individuals, we highly recommend HLC Mindlinx.

There is yet another protein contained in milk called whey which is not a problematic milk ingredient.  Instead, it is often used therapeutically in sports, wound or surgical recovery, pregnancy, immune function and more.  You can read more about an excellent organic whey protein here, yet note there are trace amounts of casein and lactose contained, and therefore we recommend utilizing one or more of the below products if you are affected by a problem with casein or lactose.  Note we have a number of casein and lactose sensitive individuals who tolerate whey protein powder perfectly. 

Lastly, often individuals sensitive to dairy foods are also sensitive to other foods and/or suffer from GI inflammation.  Please see our other related sections on GI health and wellness below, or email us with your specific questions!