Casein Free? Whats That?

[VydorScope]

I see alot of ppl mention they need gluten-free/CF foods. Recenlty I figured out that CF = Casein Free... whats Casein, and how does it play in to all of this?

[psawyer]

Casein is milk protein, also known as dairy protein. It often appears in ingredient lists as Sodium Caseinate, but there are other designations. Some celiacs are casein intolerant. Casein has also been identifed as a factor in Autism, and Autistic children often show dramatic improvements after going on a gluten-free/CF diet.

Some products which appear at first glance to be dairy-free, and which are lactose-free, contain casein. Coffee Mate comes to mind: it is lactose-free and often thought of as non-dairy, but Sodium Caseinate is in the ingredient list.

I personally have no problems with either lactose or casein, but I have a friend with two young sons who are Autistic. She put them both on a gluten-free/CF diet and has seen huge improvements in them.

[KaitiUSA]

I see alot of ppl mention they need gluten-free/CF foods. Recenlty I figured out that CF = Casein Free... whats Casein, and how does it play in to all of this?

The question about what casein is was pretty much answered in the previous post. It is a milk protein. However, not all celiacs are affected by milk and it doesn't play a role in all of us. I was intolerant my whole life(on and off) until going gluten free...once the damage healed I was able to tolerate milk again in any amounts and now have no problems whatsoever with it. You can see that happen frequently among celiacs.

[Guest BellyTimber]

Vincent,

Hoping what Peter & Kaiti told you helps! I would solely add, the tolerating of dairy that comes back after a while on gluten free refers to the lactose (milk sugar), while as far as I know the casein situation will remain as before. (Simply heard or read that, haven't rersacrhed it extensively.)

Do you believe you have cause to be further interested? I have relevant literature but before you go that way, be very sure you have a very serious reason and good supervision.

Prior to taking blood tests I had a urine test that gave a result for gluten off the top of the graph and one for casein slightly above the 'limit'. (Such a test isn't particularly usual.) I followed up the gluten and wheat issues but dairy retains a big part in my diet, varied a little by quinoa and rice drinks. I could easily have the lactose problem - hopefully rectifying itself after 2 and a half years? - as well as a border-line casein one but feel the gluten and wheat issues are head and shoulders above all that in impact.

In terms of practicalities: I have a gluten-free-CF cookbook but I simply convert "milk substitute" into milk to make sense of it - as no doubt many people are doing exactly the reverse with other recipes!!!

[VydorScope]

Thanks all!

Do you believe you have cause to be further interested?

Nope, just thought it might be somthing to worry about with my son (connected to gluten some how...), but since he drinks whole milk, and eats string cheese, I doubt its of any concern.