Can Those With Milk Protein Allergy Drink Kefir?

[carriej82]

My 18 month old reacts to all dairy with a skin rash (eczema). Someone told me he could most likely tolerate milk fermented with kefir grains, that it changes the composition of the milk or something and most with lactose or milk protein allergies can tolerate kefir? Does anyone know anything about this? I really want to start using this in our green smoothies as a base since it is supposed to have excellent health benefits and help heal leaky gut (which I think we all have to some degree).

Thanks!

[StephanieL]

I wouldn't try it. I would go for water kefir if I were doing any.

[stanleymonkey]

no, if you have an allergy to milk protein, you cannot have any dairy at all, my 3 yr Oldham an anaphylactic allergy to milk, while the allergy tends to be to the protein, which is what allergy testing tests for, most with milk allergies are also allergic to the whey part

caesin is in pretty much if not all dairy, when you change the milk to cheese or yoghurt you change the proteins chain, but he milk protein chain is so large that even when changed it is still big enough for the body to recognise and attack

with kefir they ferment the lactose, but if you have a child allergic to milk protein I wouldn't even try kefir

[MaryJones2]

Have you had him tested to know if he's allergic, lactose intolerant or casein intolerant?

You can try So Delicious brand - it's dairy free: Open Original Shared Link

Also this is a good article with a few suggestions for dairy free products: Open Original Shared Link

[Skylark]

I'm casein sensitive and kefir makes me sick.

[carriej82]

Thanks, no he's never been tested to specify which one, I just know any dairy products and he breaks out in a rash from head to toe!! Yeah, I actually fed him a smoothie with kefir before asking the question, and his skin was crystal clear that morning but 24 hours later was inflamed the worst I've seen in awhile. Drats. I was seriously misinformed, now I know!!

I will have to try water kefir or grow it in rice milk next time. What do you guys use to heal the intestine then, other probiotics?

[kareng]

Don't they make yogurt from coconut? Maybe some other things? I don't have a dairy problem so it didn't register.

Edited to add:

This company makes the best "ice cream". I will try the yogurt.

Open Original Shared Link

[JackieOh]

My son is allergic to cow milk, he gets hives, wheezing and upset stomach. He has no side effects except mild stomach discomfort to raw goat milk and no reaction at all to raw goat milk kefir, we're hoping he will adjust over time to raw goat milk and it may possibly help with body inflammation and asthma. He also takes 1 teaspoon of freshly ground organic flax seed in his nightly raw goat milk kefir. He drinks a cup of steeped chaga daily. 

[Gerald]

I purchase kefir grains from wholefoods and use coconut water and after two days its ready to drink, I can't be 100% sure though about another person level of casein reactions, the cheese in gluten free lasagnas make me have terrible mucus, coconut yogurt also can be purchased at wholefoods as well.

[Ennis-TX]

Tried it years ago (Lactose intolerant, allergic to whey for over 15 years) I still got sick. I been drinking various nut milks, seed milks like Almond, Cashew, Pistachio, Macadamia, Coconut, and Flax milks on rotation for years. I enjoy Making my own cheese from various nut milks, I buy a few brands for use in cooking when I need something solid, and I eat Coconut Yogurt daily for my probiotics even make dips with it. I also make my own ice cream daily and have it in protein smoothies daily for dessert.