Casein/lactose Intolerance

[darkhorse]

I have been gluten free for a little over a week and after a rocky start I am feeling a lot better already. I quickly realized that I need to eliminate dairy from my diet to feel better along with gluten. I guess I am pretty normal in that regard, but I don't know if I am sensitive to casein or if I am just lactose intolerant. I guess a challenge would be best but I want to give myself more time to heal.

This whole thing is a little frustrating only because cheese and bread were my two favorite foods and having to give up both of them in all forms is disheartening. Plus I can't have many gluten free foods (like pizza) because they contain dairy. I know the dairy can be a short term issue and I am really hoping that is the case for me as well. I am wondering how long this dairy thing will last.

For those of you who also had a dairy problem, did it resolve over time? If it is a casein thing will that ever resolve at all? Do those lactaid pills/supplements work? I am more than happy to stay away from gluten and dairy since I am feeling much better and hopefully several of my others issues will resolve too. But, I guess I am just trying to see if there is hope for my dairy problem so I can at least have one of my favorite foods back.

[Welda Johnson]

Hi,

I know how you feel, concerning pizza and cheese! I used to really like them too, especially cheese. For quite a few years now I have been on a stringent diet of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and sometimes meat, though that, too, often gives me problems now. All grains, all milk & dairy, egg whites, yeast, casein, whey, maltodextrin, modified food starch, and msg all give me severe problems, so I NEVER eat those foods or additives if I can help it.

Here's the funny thing--I could care less now about those foods I used to eat. My focus is on my regained health, on how much better I feel all-around, on how well I sleep, on how my weight stays around 100 pounds (which for me at five feet tall is great), on how much happier I feel, and on how much energy I have (I exercise 3-5 miles just about every day, and I'm 64 years). I have enough energy and good health to take care of my grandchildren, to visit family members and friends, to study for a Real Estate Broker's License, to research and write books, and I'm in the process of setting up a non-profit corporation to help others who are in need of and want help in a variety of areas.

So, please know that your whole outlook will change as each day goes by and you feel so much better. Instead of seeing the foods you used to eat, you'll be reading labels and ingredient lists for foods you know you CAN eat. It takes some time and energy to research how to best institute the Celiac diet, but once you're on the path, it does get easier. I bet you'll love the soy ice cream bars that are covered in chocolate, and the casein/whey-free soy cheese, Monterey Jack, made by Vegan Gourmet. Namaste Foods makes a really great pizza crust--the best I've tried yet. I eat lots of fresh pineapple, oranges, strawberries, green salads and vegetables, and really like tamales, corn tortillas, refried beans, rice, etc. when I go to restaurants, all without cheese of course.

Gosh, I hope that you will keep on with your newfound successes, and I wish you all the joy and blessings in the world, as you continue on this pathway of good health. Best wishes, Welda

[GFinDC]

For those of you who also had a dairy problem, did it resolve over time? If it is a casein thing will that ever resolve at all? Do those lactaid pills/supplements work? I am more than happy to stay away from gluten and dairy since I am feeling much better and hopefully several of my others issues will resolve too. But, I guess I am just trying to see if there is hope for my dairy problem so I can at least have one of my favorite foods back.

Hi,

The Lactaid pills do pretty well for the lactose sugar intolerance. They don't help for the casein protein though. Watch out for off-label Lactaid brands as some of them contain gluten. You can get DPP-IV enzymes for the casein. DPP-IV is supposed to help with the casein protein digestion. It pays to shop around as the DPP-IV prices vary a lot. I can tolerate dairy better now, but I still take Lactaid when I eat it, (rarely) and DPP-IV. DPP-IV helps with gluten digestion also. The lactose symptoms are GI related, while the casein keeps me from getting to sleep at night. Some kind of brain interaction I suppose or something else, not really sure.

[Salax]

If I may, I would recommend your diet of fresh fruits, veggies and meats for about 3-6 months with out dairy. I would re-introduce dairy in about 3 months, see how you feel. Do it slowly. If it hurts you, stop. Don't eat it for another 3 months. Try again see what happens. My understanding if after 1 year of the gluten-free/CF diet you can't eat dairy without complications, you most likely will not eat dairy again.

This sucks as I miss dairy more than bread/pasta. But I feel amazing so it's worth it.

I have hit the 2 month mark and I accidently ate dairy (it hides!) and I was a mess for 2 days. I also found out I have an have other food allergies.

My husband teases me that if that keeps up I will be drinking water and eating jello. LOL! It's really not that bad though.

Best of luck!

[ang1e0251]

I have been lactose intolerant for many years. The Lactaid does not work for me. I still react, it just takes longer and in the meantime I'm all swollen and very uncomfortable. My daughter takes it occasionally and it seems to work for her. But she does not have much milk. I use soy milk or I have also had almond milk. Both work well for me.

Aged cheeses like cheddar, are very low in lactose and I can eat those with no problems. I eat a lot of cheese! If you have a problem with casien, you will not tolerate even the cheeses. I have not been able to reintroduce fresh milk back into my diet but that doesn't mean you won't. But I would give it a few months before trying a fresh milk challenge.

[darkhorse]

Welda, thank you for your inspiring words. I totally agree about sticking to the diet. I thought I would have a really hard time sticking to a diet that elimated my two favorite foods, but with how crappy I used to feel compared to now, I don't have any desire to eat them again. It's also nice not having people ask me if I'm pregnant all the time. I just kinda miss cheese and I guess I am trying to give myself a little light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to...

GFinDC, Salax, ang1e0251, thank you for the information. I agree that waiting for a few months is best. My stomach is still really sensitive and I don't want to push it. Even eating too much at this point upsets my stomach. Dairy does hide just as bad a gluten and I didn't think dairy in salad dressing would be enough to set me off but it was. I will just have to bide my time and see if I can re-introduce it sometime down the road, maybe with those Lactaid supplements or something. One can definitely hope.