Gf And Dairy

[Caroline's mommy]

How often do gluten-sensitive persons or Celiacs have sensitivities to dairy products? We have now started our 22 month old daughter on gluten-free (not as difficult as I thought it would be! ) and are wondering if we should consider dairy free as well if things don't change solely on gluten-free. From reading here, it seems there are also a fair number of dairy sensitivities/allergies.

Thanks,

Erika

[lbsteenwyk]

Many people have secondary lactose intolerance when they are initially diagnosed with celiac disease. This is simply because they are malabsorbing and thus not digesting lactose. It may be beneficial to avoid dairy or try lactose reduced products for several weeks. You should be able to reintroduce dairy once your child's intestines have healed.

[Indea88]

I might be wrong only going by what the pediatric GI specialist said ( he also has Celiac) "Celiacs are lactose intolerant" I was hoping this wasnt lifelong I want to be able to reintroduce diary at least cheese and yogurt...

[Carriefaith]

A lot of celiacs are temporarily lactose intolerant until their villi heal. Gluten damages the villi and the enzyme that breaks down lactose is located at the tips of the villi, so when lactose is injested it cannot be fully digested. Other celiacs can develop a permanant lactose intolerance or a casein intolerance (milk protein). I personally avoid both dairy and gluten.

[nogluten-]

I might be wrong only going by what the pediatric GI specialist said ( he also has Celiac) "Celiacs are lactose intolerant" I was hoping this wasnt lifelong I want to be able to reintroduce diary at least cheese and yogurt...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I miss dairy more than gluten. I wish they'd come up with a pill for allergy to dairy. I'd pay big for that!

[Claire]

How often do gluten-sensitive persons or Celiacs have sensitivities to dairy products?  We have now started our 22 month old daughter on gluten-free (not as difficult as I thought it would be!    ) and are wondering if we should consider dairy free as well if things don't change solely on gluten-free.  From reading here, it seems there are also a fair number of dairy sensitivities/allergies.

Thanks,

Erika

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you check out diary information you will find that the molecular structure of the wheat protein (gluten) and the milk protein (casein) are virtually identical. The implication being that the body can all too easily react to either of these proteins. The lactose intolerance may well diminish with healing but the casein issue remains. Some would choose to eliminate dairy to be on the safe side. Claire

[tarnalberry]

You could also do an elimination diet to determine if casein is causing a problem. It bothers some people (celiac or not) but not others. It does *not*, however, trigger the same autoimmune reaction that gluten proteins do. (There is a rare condition where dairy can cause enteropathy, but it is rather rare.)