Dairy products can come from many animals, but most people get their dairy from cows. Cow’s milk contains the protein casein, as well as a type of sugar called lactose. In some people both of these substances can cause many issues. Humans lose the ability to digest lactose at the natural age of weaning, which is approximately from age 4-7, according to data collected worldwide. Most people will find that they cannot tolerate consuming dairy because of either intolerance to the lactose in milk, or the inability to properly digest the casein in milk. If you notice that you have any of the symptoms listed next, you might want to try ditching the dairy and see if you feel better. Many people report feeling much better after switching out the dairy products in their diet to dairy-free versions.
1. Mood Issues
There are professionals who have found that consuming dairy has a negative effect on the nervous system, which includes the brain. Some people report feeling irritable, angry or depressed when they include dairy in their diets. Mood issues in children with a dairy sensitivity are especially pronounced, since their digestive systems are not mature.
2. Headaches or Migraines
media.feminis.ro
Consuming dairy might be your migraine or headache trigger. Many people report having zero, or less, migraines after they eliminate dairy from their diets. If dairy is your trigger you can be sure to trace your sensitivity back to the inability to properly digest dairy in your intestines.
3. Skin Issues
Skin issues caused by the consumption of dairy often have their roots in the digestive system’s inability to properly digest either the lactose or casein found in milk. Skin issues come in many forms and include acne, eczema, psoriasis, dry scalp and some varieties of rashes. Eliminating dairy and working on the health of your digestive system are the keys in relieving the skin issues that come along with being sensitive to dairy.
4. Brain Fog
ericbakker.com
Do you feel like you are in a fog and can’t seem to focus on the task at hand, are you often forgetful or can’t remember what day it is? As we know, dairy can have a negative effect on the nervous system and this includes causing what people call “brain fog”. Brain fog is no joke! It can be very frustrating to feel like you are living in a fog. If this sounds familiar ditch the dairy and see if you notice an improvement.
5. Diarrhea
A lot of people with a dairy sensitivity notice that they have diarrhea or loose stools very soon after consuming something with dairy in it. This happens because the body cannot properly digest the components of dairy properly. The body wants to get rid of it as fast as it can, and it does this by giving you diarrhea.
6. Constipation
pixabay.com
Alternatively, a dairy intolerance might show up as having issues with constipation. Everyone’s digestive system behaves differently when it comes to dairy. If constipation is your issue, you might have an issue with the casein in dairy. There is also no fiber in dairy products, and fiber is essential for a good bowel movement to happen every day. Most people eat too much dairy and not enough good fiber.
7. Gas
bodyhacks.com
Gas is another sign you might be sensitive to the dairy in your diet. When a person has a lot of gas it usually means that their body isn’t properly breaking down the food that it’s been given, and the food begins to rot and give off gas in the intestines. Leaky gut, which is a major cause for the improper breakdown of food, is another cause of gas in those sensitive to dairy.
8. Blood in Your Stool
wikimedia.org
If you have blood in your stool you should immediately remove all dairy from your diet and call to book an appointment with your doctor. Most people who have blood in their stool have a very serious allergy to dairy called Celiac’s Disease. The digestive system is so irritated by the consumption of dairy that the lining of the intestines actually begins to bleed. If left unchecked a person can lose a significant amount of blood, and may need to be hospitalized to recover. Blood in your stool in a big red flag when it comes to being sensitive to dairy and should be dealt with immediately.
9. Too Much Mucus
Do you notice that you have to blow your nose a lot, or have mucus in your throat and need to clear your throat often? Do you frequently get sinus infections or ear infections? The root cause for these issues is often that the person is sensitive to the dairy in their diet. Dairy products will thicken the phlegm in the throat and nasal passages, which can make the person feel as though there is more mucus than normal in their throat or nasal passages.
10. Nausea
agoramedia.com
Nausea or vomiting is a sure fire sign that your body is rejecting the dairy you have consumed. If you notice that you frequently feel nauseous or vomit after eating dairy, then you might want to try eliminating it from your diet to see if the symptoms improve.
Removing dairy from your diet might be a smart move if you found yourself relating to any of the information in this article. There are many alternatives out there to replace milk from animals. Being dairy-free does not have to feel like you are making a sacrifice in the food that you eat. Try having nut milks, or coconut yogurt instead of dairy products. Or take a walk in the Vegan section of your grocery store. You don’t have to be Vegan to appreciate the dairy-free products you will find there. And if you are really struggling to give it all up, some people who are sensitive to dairy find that they do tolerate something called ghee. Ghee is the cooked down version of butter. It is made by boiling butter on low heat to cook off all of the bad stuff in butter that could be causing you trouble. Going dairy-free could be life changing. Give it a try!
Sources:
Diet and Nutrition by Rudolph Balentine MD
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A Balch
Biomechanical Individuality by Roger J. Williams Ph.D