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Can You Have Goats Milk?


rutland

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rutland Enthusiast

Ive been told that a lot of people who are allergic to cows milk dairy can tolerate goats milk products.

I have heard so many healing stories from using colostrum and since Im allergic to dairy I thought Id try goats milk colostrum.

Any thoughts to this query?

BTW I tried goats milk cheese the other night and had no problems. Is it possible to be allergic to cows milk dairy but not goats milk dairy?


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lonewolf Collaborator

I think it's possible, but many people who are allergic to cow milk have reactions to goat milk also. I can't tolerate cow's milk products except for very small amounts of butter occasionally, but I can handle small amounts of raw goat cheese. I avoided ALL dairy products "like the plague" for about 8 years before trying to add anything back. I have tried a goat milk product from Garden of Life and reacted to it enough that I didn't finish even half the container.

What type of reaction do you get to cow's milk? If it's not severe, than maybe you could test it - but be aware that there's a chance that you will react.

Nancym Enthusiast

Casein is in all milk so is lactose, so probably not.

Ursa Major Collaborator

The casein content of goats milk is much lower than in cow's milk. I can't have any cow's milk, but can use a little goat's milk on my buckwheat cereal without a problem.

It has been found that when using cow's milk as a substitute for orphaned animal babies, the animals often die, while they do fine on goat's or sheep's milk, as they are much less likely to cause an allergy or intolerance.

tummytroubles Newbie

I react pretty strongly to both cow's milk and goat milk. But I have strong reactions to lots of foods, so I'm fairly sensitive.

tarnalberry Community Regular

All dairy has casein in it - it's one of the features of being a mammal. :P

Casein is a broad term, however, and there are several subtypes of casein that more specifically denote the exact molecular structure and orientation. Different mammals have significantly different levels of these subtypes of casein. Goat's milk, as one example, is very low in the subtype of casein that is most prominent in cow's milk.

So, if you are intolerant to just one or two subtypes, which happen to be high in one mammal, but low in another, you might be able to get away with the type of milk that is lower in the subtype of casein that bothers you.

It is *very* important to note, however, that all these types of milk do contain, pretty much, all the subtypes of casein in some quantity, so if you have a serious allergy, and especially if it's an anaphylactic allergy, you should avoid all types of milk.

georgie Enthusiast

I am trialling small amounts of goats milk cheese at the moment and seem to be OK. Fingers crossed ! This link is quite good.

Open Original Shared Link


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  • 2 weeks later...
munchkinette Collaborator

My friend can do this. She can now eat cow's cheese if it is cooked a long time. She says it's because the protein becomes denatured during cooking. She's only been able to do this (in moderation) for a couple years. Before that she could only have goat and sheep dairy without breaking into hives all over.

2kids4me Contributor
thought Id try goats milk colostrum.

Not sure why you would need colostrum vs plain ol goats milk. Colostrum is the first milk produced after giving birth - it is high in antibodies and very rich - only one that benefits from the antibodies is the "kid". Someone may try and market colostrum as better and therefore more valuable - thus more $$. Maybe I am just cynical <_<

Open Original Shared Link a good site comparing goat milk and cow milk

It has been found that when using cow's milk as a substitute for orphaned animal babies, the animals often die, while they do fine on goat's or sheep's milk, as they are much less likely to cause an allergy or intolerance.

Yes that is true - because cow's milk was made for calves. Goat milk is like a "universal donor" for orphaned babies in domestic animals - except calves would likely die if they were given human milk or replacer meant for dogs or cats, or goat milk! Goat milk is similar in the composition of the protein and fat molecules to a majority of mammals. Cattle require the complex fat and protein structure because of the digestion process in their species.

Wildlife should never be given any kind of milk - they need special formulas. I say this because many well meaning individuals have killed baby wild animals by giving milk (cow or goat)

The babies die on cows milk because it does meet their nutrient needs and is difficult to digest in another species. Diarrhea is the most common effect - diarrhea in a baby ktten or puppy that weights 100 grams to 200 grams can kill them in 12 hours.

Humans are the only mammals that drink milk after being weaned.

The ideal milk for humans - is human milk. But I cant see that being sold in the local grocer !

aikiducky Apprentice

I'm another cow's milk sensitive who can have goats cheese at least. Don't do too well with goats milk though. I don't know if I'm allergic or intolerant to cows milk but I'm guessing intolerant, don't have typical allergy symptoms or any other allergies.

I don't miss dairy much, except for really creamy luxurious ice cream, and I would miss cheese if I didn't have my goats cheese. :)

Pauliina

justme Enthusiast

i haven't been tested yet.. but i am almost certain that I am allergic to casein.. but it could be lactose intolerance.. what is the difference in symptoms?

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