Guest guest Posted July 11, 2006 Report Share Posted July 11, 2006 Dairy related health concerns JoAnn Guest Jul 11, 2006 14:17 PDT Allergies Vague gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, that are not caused by serious disease can sometimes be triggered by food sensitivities. In one double- blind trial, people with vague GI problems believed to be caused by dairy were given dairy to see how their bodies would react. These people were not lactose intolerant. Various indicators of immunity changed as a result of the dairy challenge, showing their bodies were reacting to the dairy in an abnormal way. However, the indicator of a true dairy allergy (milk- specific immunoglobulin E) was normal in most of these people. This study suggests that vague GI symptoms unrelated to serious disease can be caused by food sensitivities that reflect neither lactose intolerance nor true allergies. Atherosclerosis The most important dietary changes in protecting arteries from atherosclerosis include avoiding dairy fat. A decrease in atherosclerosis resulting from a pure vegan diet (no animal products, including dairy), combined with exercise and stress reduction, has been proven by medical research. Bronchitis Food allergies (e.g., to milk and other dairy products) may be triggers in some cases of chronic bronchitis. Some doctors believe that dairy products can increase mucus production, and that people suffering from either acute or chronic bronchitis should therefore limit their intake of dairy products. Cancer High-fat diets also increase the risk of mammary cancer in animals. Moreover, breast cancer patients have been reported to reduce their chances of survival by eating a diet high in saturated fat. (Saturated fat is found mostly in meat and dairy fat.) In the debate over whether dietary fat increases breast cancer risks, only one fact is indisputable: women in countries that consume high amounts of meat and dairy fat have a high risk of breast cancer, while women in countries that mostly consume rice, soy, vegetables, and fish (instead of dairy fat and meat) have a low risk of breast cancer. Some, but not all, preliminary studies report that consumption of saturated fat in both meat and dairy fat correlates with the risk of lung cancer, even among nonsmokers. Lung cancer risk appears directly related to consumption of foods containing saturated fat–– not just from consumption of well-cooked meat. In one trial that was unable to find an association between lung cancer risk and total saturated fat intake, people consuming skim milk nonetheless had a 50 percent reduction in risk compared with people drinking whole-fat milk. The risk of prostate cancer correlates with consumption of dietary fat from country to country, a finding supported by some, but not all, preliminary trials. Research findings from these studies are inconsistent regarding whether the association is limited to meat fat or whether it also extends to dairy fat. In one study, prostate cancer patients consuming the most saturated fat (from meat and dairy) and followed for over five years had over three times the risk of dying from prostate cancer compared with men consuming the least amount of saturated fat. Many doctors recommend that men wishing to reduce their risk of prostate cancer should reduce their intake of meat and dairy fat. Cardiovascular disease A diet high in fruits and vegetables, fiber, and possibly fish appears protective against heart disease, while high intake of saturated fat (found in meat and dairy fat) may contribute to heart disease. Chronic candidiasis Based on their clinical experience and on very preliminary research, several doctors have suggested that a number of dietary factors may promote the overgrowth of Candida. The most important of these factors are claimed to be high intakes of sugar, milk, and other dairy products, foods with a high content of yeast or mold (e.g., alcoholic beverages, cheeses, dried fruits, and peanuts), and foods that individual patients are allergic to. However, few clinical trials have investigated whether these dietary factors affect people with conditions for which Candida albicans is the causative agent. Celiac disease Some people with celiac disease may be intolerant to cows' milk. Cold sores Although people with Herpes simplex infections reportedly consume about the same amount of arginine and lysine in their diet as do people without cold sores, it is conceivable that adjusting the intake of these amino acids might be beneficial. For that reason, many doctors advise individuals with cold sores to avoid foods with high arginine-to-lysine ratios, such as nuts, peanuts, and chocolate. Nonfat yogurt and other nonfat dairy can be a healthful way to increase lysine intake. Colic Allergies play a role in symptoms of some colicky infants. If the child is fed with formula, the problem may be an intolerance to milk proteins from a cows' milk–based formula. Switching to a soy formula may ease colic in such cases. Infants who are sensitive to both milk and soy can be given a hypoallergenic formula containing extensively hydrolyzed proteins. However, some children are sensitive to even these formulas. If a child is breast-fed, certain foods in the mother's diet may provoke an allergic reaction in the child. Cows' milk consumed by a breast-feeding mother has been shown in some, but not all, studies to trigger colic in breast-fed infants. Cows' milk proteins have been found at higher levels in milk from breast-feeding mothers with colicky infants than mothers with non-colicky infants. A double- blind study of colicky infants (either bottle-fed or breast-fed) showed that changing to a low-allergenic formula or restricting the mother's diet to exclude certain allergy-triggering foods (such as milk and dairy products) significantly reduced colic symptoms in the infants. A physician can help determine which foods in breast- feeding mothers may be contributing to colic. Constipation A double-blind trial found that chronic constipation and problems associated with it can be triggered by intolerance to cows' milk in two-thirds of constipated infants studied. Symptoms went away in most infants kept from consuming cows' milk. These results were confirmed in two subsequent, preliminary trials. The possibility exists that constipation occurring in adults and/or constipation triggered by other food allergies might also sometimes be responsible for chronic constipation in some individuals. If other approaches do not help, these possibilities can be discussed with a physician. Crohn's disease A high-animal-protein and high-fat diet (from foods other than fish) has been linked to Crohn's disease in preliminary research. As with many other health conditions, it may be beneficial to eat less meat and dairy fat and more fruits and vegetables. One study found that people with Crohn's disease are most likely to react to cereals, dairy, and yeast. Some cheeses are high in histamine, which is secreted during an allergenic response. People with Crohn's disease lack the ability to break down histamine at a normal rate, so it is possible the link reported to dairy may not be coincidental. However, the allergy theory cannot account for all, or even most, cases of Crohn's disease. Some diets containing intact proteins derived from dairy have proven effective at controlling the symptoms of Crohn's disease. Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) A milk-free diet may improve symptoms of dermatitis herpetiformis, according to preliminary studies. In these studies, intake of milk products intensified symptoms of DH in two patients despite adherence to a gluten-free diet; however, the combination of a milk- free and gluten-free diet was effective. Diabetes Vegetarians have been reported to have a low risk of type 2 diabetes. When people with diabetic nerve damage switch to a vegan diet (no meat, dairy, or eggs), improvements have been reported after several days. In one trial, pain completely disappeared in 17 of 21 people. Fats from meat and dairy also cause heart disease, the leading killer of people with diabetes. Diets high in fat, especially saturated fat, worsen glucose tolerance and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, an effect that is not simply the result of weight gain caused by eating high-fat foods. Saturated fat is found primarily in meat, dairy fat, and poultry skins and dark meat. Worldwide, children whose dietary energy comes primarily from dairy products have a significantly higher chance of developing type 1 diabetes than do children whose dietary energy comes primarily from vegetable sources. Countries with high milk consumption have a high risk of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. Animal research indicates that avoiding milk affords protection from type 1 diabetes. Milk contains a protein related to a protein in the pancreas, the organ where insulin is made. Some researchers believe that children who are allergic to milk may develop antibodies that attack the pancreas, causing type 1 diabetes Several studies have linked cows' milk consumption to the occurrence of type 1 diabetes in children. One reason for the conflicting results of the research may be that different genetic strains of cows' milk protein (casein) are associated with different levels of risk. Some children who drink cows' milk produce antibodies to the milk; it has been hypothesized these antibodies can cross-react with and damage the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Immune problems in people with type 1 diabetes have been tied to other allergies as well, and the importance of focusing only on the avoidance of dairy products remains unclear. Preliminary studies have found that early introduction of cows'-milk formula feeding increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, although contradictory results have also been published. A study of 821 Finnish children (including 435 full-term children with diabetes) showed that early introduction of cows'-milk formula feeding (before three months of age vs. after three months of age) was associated with increased risk of type 1 diabetes. This research supports abstaining from dairy products in infancy and early childhood, particularly for children with a family history of type 1 diabetes. Recent research also suggests a possible link between milk consumption in infancy and an increased risk of type 2 (non-insulin- dependent) diabetes. Diarrhea People who are lactose intolerant—meaning they lack the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar—often develop diarrhea after consuming milk or ice cream. People whose lactose intolerance is the cause of diarrhea may rid themselves of the problem by avoiding milk and ice cream or, in many cases, by taking lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose. Cheese rarely has enough lactase to cause symptoms in lactose intolerant people. Allergies and food sensitivities are common triggers for diarrhea. For example, some infants suffer diarrhea when fed cows' milk–based formula but improve when switched to soy-based formula. People with chronic diarrhea not attributable to other causes should discuss the possibility of food sensitivity with a doctor. Ear infection The incidence of allergy among children with recurrent ear infections is much higher than among the general public. In one study, more than half of all children with recurrent ear infections were found to be allergic to foods. Removing those foods led to significant improvement in 86 percent of the allergic children tested. Other reports show similar results. In one preliminary study, children who were allergic to cows' milk were almost twice as likely to have recurrent ear infections as were children without the allergy. Eczema Eczema can be triggered by allergies. Most children with eczema have food allergies, according to data from double-blind research. A doctor should be consulted to determine if allergies are a factor. Once the trigger for the allergy has been identified, avoidance of the allergen can lead to significant improvement.However, " classical " food allergens (e.g., cows' milk, egg, wheat, soy, and nuts) are often not the cause of eczema in adults. Fibrocystic breast disease Fibrocystic disease has been linked to excess estrogen. When those with fibrocystic disease are put on a low-fat diet, their estrogen levels decrease. After three to six months, the pain and lumpiness also decrease. The link between fat and symptoms appears to be most strongly related to saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fat include meat and dairy products. Fish, nonfat dairy, and tofu are possible replacements. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Infants who suffer from GERD may have a true allergy to cows' milk. Some small studies estimate that milk allergy is a cause in about 20 percent of infants with GERD, but a larger study of 204 infants with GERD diagnosed cows' milk allergies in 41 percent. For these infants, reflux symptoms improved with elimination of milk products from the diet. Some researchers advise a trial of cows' milk- elimination in all infants suffering from GERD. Heart attacks Dietary fat independently affects heart attack risk. The Nurses' Health Study found that eating foods high in saturated fats (e.g., dairy fat) was directly associated with a higher incidence of nonfatal heart attacks and deaths from coronary heart disease. Many doctors tell people trying to reduce their risk of heart disease to use olive oil instead of butter; and nonfat yogurt, milk, and even cheese instead of full- or reduced-fat versions of the same foods. Relatively high blood levels of calcium—sometimes a marker for high vitamin D intake—have been associated with high risk of heart attacks in Sweden. However, high dietary vitamin D intake in Sweden often comes from high-fat dairy products, so the high calcium levels might simply reflect diets higher in dairy fat and have nothing to do with vitamin D. High cholesterol Eating animal foods containing saturated fat is linked to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. Significant amounts of animal- based saturated fat are found in meat, cheese, butter, ice cream, and all other forms of dairy products not labeled " fat free. " Unlike other dairy foods, skimmed milk, nonfat yogurt, and nonfat cheese are essentially fat-free. Dairy products labeled " low fat " are not particularly low in fat. A full 25 percent of calories from 2 percent milk come from fat. (The " 2% " on labels refers to the fraction of volume filled by fat, not the more important percent of calories coming from fat.) Vegans (people who eat no meat, dairy, or eggs) have the lowest cholesterol levels, and switching from a standard diet to a vegan diet has been reported to reverse heart disease. High triglycerides People with high triglycerides are typically advised to reduce their weight and limit the consumption of processed foods, simple sugars, alcohol, and saturated fats (such as those found in butter, whole milk, cream, ice cream and other dairy products). Hives Allergy to foods and food additives is a common cause of hives, especially in chronic cases. Foods reported to trigger hives most often include milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Hypertension In the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial, increasing intake of fruits and vegetables (and therefore fiber) and reducing cholesterol and dairy fat led to large reductions in blood pressure (in medical terms, 11.4 systolic and 5.5 diastolic) in just eight weeks. Indigestion Conventional treatment includes the avoidance of problem foods, including fatty foods and milk. Lactose intolerance can cause many digestive problems, including gas, cramps, and diarrhea; in such cases, ingesting the enzyme lactase (which digests lactose) before consuming dairy products may prevent the development of these symptoms. Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, promote healthy digestion. Enzymes secreted by probiotic bacteria also aid digestion. The amount of probiotics taken depends on the strain of bacteria used, as well as the concentration of viable organisms in it. Insomnia Food allergy may contribute to insomnia. In a trial involving eight infants, chronic insomnia was traced to an allergy to cows' milk; avoidance of milk resulted in a normalization of sleep patterns. Intermittent claudication Important dietary changes for preventing atherosclerosis (and, consequently, intermittent claudication) include avoiding dairy fat. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) The conventional treatment for IBS includes limiting intake of dairy products. Preliminary evidence suggests that some people with IBS have greater trouble absorbing lactose (milk sugar). In one report, restricting intake of lactose and other problem sugars led to reduction in symptoms in 40 percent of people with IBS. Therefore, when attempting to uncover food sensitivities, people with IBS should consider the possibility that milk, fruit juice, and dried fruit might trigger symptoms. Double-blind research has shown that when people with IBS and lactose intolerance are put on a lactose-free diet, their IBS symptoms are relieved. Alternatively, lactase enzyme may be used prior to consuming milk. Kidney stones Increased levels of urinary calcium increase the risk of kidney stone formation. Consumption of animal protein from dairy products can increase urinary calcium. Perhaps it is for this reason that animal protein has been linked to an increased risk of forming stones, and that vegetarians have been reported to be at lower risk for stone formation. Lactose intolerance Lactose intolerance is the impaired ability to digest lactose (the naturally occurring sugar in milk). The enzyme lactase is needed to digest lactose, and a few children and many adults do not produce sufficient lactase to digest this milk sugar; the condition is rare in infants. In people with lactose intolerance, consuming foods containing lactose results in cramps, gas, and diarrhea. Only one-third of the population worldwide retains the ability to digest lactose into adulthood. Most adults of Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and Native American descent are lactose intolerant. In addition, half of Hispanics and about 20 percent of Caucasians do not produce sufficient lactase as adults. A simple test for lactose intolerance is to drink at least two 8- ounce (240-ml) glasses of milk on an empty stomach and note any gastrointestinal symptoms that develop in the next four hours; the test should then be repeated using several ounces of cheese (which does not contain much lactose). If symptoms result from milk but not cheese, then the person has lactose intolerance. If symptoms occur with both milk and cheese, the person may be allergic to dairy products (very rarely, lactose intolerance can be so severe that even eating cheese will cause symptoms). A lactose-free diet is the most effective means of controlling the symptoms of lactose malabsorption in a person with lactase deficiency. However, some lactose-intolerant people can tolerate milk that has been predigested by the addition of lactase enzyme. For individuals who must avoid dairy products, doctors often recommend that the diet be supplemented with calcium. Although symptoms of lactose intolerance are triggered by the lactose in some dairy products, few lactose-intolerant individuals need to avoid all dairy. Dairy products have varying levels of lactose, which affects how much lactase is required for proper digestion. Milk, ice cream, and yogurt contain significant amounts of lactose—although for complex reasons yogurt often doesn't trigger symptoms in lactose-intolerant people. In addition, lactose-reduced milk is available in some supermarkets and can be used by lactose- intolerant people. Supplemental sources of the enzyme lactase can be used to prevent symptoms of lactose intolerance when consuming lactose-containing dairy products. Lactase drops can be added to regular milk 24 hours before drinking to reduce lactose levels. Lactase drops, capsules, and tablets can also be taken directly, as needed, immediately before a meal that includes lactose-containing dairy products. The degree of lactose intolerance varies by individual, so a greater or lesser amount of lactase may be needed to eliminate symptoms of lactose intolerance. Ménière's disease (MD) Ménière's Disease is associated with allergies to airborne particles, mold, and food in some individuals, according to many preliminary reports. In one preliminary study, 50 percent of participants with MD reported known food or inhalant allergies. In a controlled study, participants with MD who underwent allergy treatment, including avoiding foods suspected of provoking allergic reactions, reported statistically significant improvement in tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing. In this study, the most common food allergies were to wheat and soy. Most participants also had allergies to milk, corn, egg, and yeast. Migraine Some individuals with migraines have been reported to improve after removing all cows' milk protein from their diet. When lactose intolerance was present, it was found to be strongly correlated with improvement in migraine for those adhering to that diet. Morning sickness In a Harvard study, women with a high intake of saturated fat (found mainly in meat and dairy) during the year prior to pregnancy had a much higher risk of severe morning sickness than did women eating less saturated fat. An increase in saturated fat intake of 15 grams per day (the equivalent of 3 cups of whole milk) was associated with a greater than threefold increase in the risk of developing morning sickness. Multiple sclerosis (MS) In one report by Dr. Roy Swank, a leading researcher linking dietary fat to MS risk and progression, a low-fat diet was recommended to 150 people with MS. Although hydrogenated oils, peanut butter, and animal fat (including fat from dairy) were dramatically reduced or eliminated, 5 grams per day of cod liver oil were added and linoleic acid from vegetable oil was used. After 34 years, 31 percent of people consuming an average of 17 grams of saturated fat per day died compared with 79% of those who ate an average of 25 grams of saturated fat per day. People who began to follow the low-fat diet early in the disease did better than those who changed their eating habits after the disease had progressed. Despite research showing improvement with a low-fat diet in some people with MS, the link between foods containing animal fat and MS risk may not necessarily be due to the fat itself. Preliminary evidence from one report revealed an association between eating dairy foods (cows' milk, butter, and cream) and an increased prevalence of MS, yet in the same report, no link was found between (high fat) cheese and MS. Osteoporosis The effect of dairy products on the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures is subject to controversy. According to a review of 46 studies, different dairy products appear to have different effects on bone density and fracture rates. Milk, especially nonfat milk, probably does more good than harm because of its relatively lower protein and salt content (factors which contribute to urinary loss of calcium), and its high calcium content. Pancreatic insufficiency A few preliminary reports suggest that food allergy may cause some cases of acute pancreatitis. Food allergies identified in these cases included milk and several other foods. No research has investigated the possible role of food allergy in other causes of pancreatic insufficiency. Phenylketonuria (PKU) A PKU diet is low in protein, providing no more than the minimum amount of phenylalanine needed by the body. All high-protein foods, including dairy products, are usually eliminated. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Several studies suggest that diets low in fat or high in fiber may help to reduce symptoms of PMS. Many doctors recommend diets very low in meat and dairy fat and high in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Strictly vegetarian diets that are also very low in fat (including dairy fat) have been reported to reduce RA symptoms. Food sensitivities develop when pieces of intact protein in food are able to cross through the intestinal barrier. Many patients with RA have been noted to have increased intestinal permeability, especially when experiencing symptoms, and RA has been linked to food allergies and sensitivities. In many people, RA worsens when they eat foods to which they are allergic or sensitive, and improves when these foods are avoided. In one study, the vast majority of RA patients had elevated levels of antibodies to milk, wheat, or both, suggesting a high incidence of allergy to these substances. English researchers have reported that one-third of people with RA may be able to control their disease completely through allergy elimination. Identification and elimination of symptom-triggering foods should be done with the help of a physician. Rickets Dietary changes should only be considered if a medical professional has diagnosed rickets and determined the cause is a simple nutritional deficiency. Rickets is more likely to occur in a child consuming a pure vegan diet (that does not include sources of vitamin D) than in a child consuming milk or other animal foods, which contain the vitamin. The few foods that contain vitamin D include egg yolks, butter, vitamin D–fortified milk, fish liver oil, breast milk, and infant formula. Calcium, in addition to being present in breast milk and formula, is found in dairy products, sardines, salmon (canned with edible bones), green leafy vegetables, and tofu. Pure vegetarians may use supplements instead dairy as sources for both calcium and vitamin D. Schizophrenia For many years there has been speculation that certain dietary proteins may contribute to the symptoms of schizophrenia. Gluten, a protein from wheat and some other grains, and to a lesser extent casein, a dairy protein, have been the targets of research on food sensitivities as contributors to schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients have been shown to be more likely to have immune-system reactions to these proteins than the general population. A preliminary trial of a gluten-free/dairy-free diet found that patients with schizophrenia improved on the diet and had shorter hospital stays than those eating normal diets. The results of double-blind trials, however, have been inconsistent. The gluten-free/dairy-free diet improved responses to medications in one controlled trial. These improvements were lost and symptoms of schizophrenia were exacerbated when gluten was reintroduced in a " blinded " fashion. Another clinical trial found similar positive responses in only 2 of 24 patients. In one clinical trial, improvement occurred when gluten was blindly reintroduced. These results suggest that some, but not all, people with schizophrenia may benefit from a gluten-free/dairy-free diet. Seborrheic dermatitis A preliminary report suggested that an allergy elimination diet for an infant maybe useful in the treatment of cradle cap. The most common offending foods identified were milk and wheat. More research is needed to confirm the value of this approach in the treatment of cradle cap. Stroke The influence of dietary fat on the risk of stroke is not as clear as it is for heart disease risk. Some recent reports suggest an association between increased fat intake, including saturated fat (primarily found in meat and dairy), and a decreased stroke risk. These unexpected findings may be due to unique dietary conditions in the country studied (Japan) or due to flaws in study design. Other evidence suggests the opposite relationship—that people consuming more saturated fat are at higher risk of stroke. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Consuming fewer calories, less fat, and foods low in phenylalanine and tyrosine (prevalent in high-protein foods, such as meat and dairy) might be helpful for people suffering from lupus, according to animal and preliminary human studies. Casein, the main protein in cows' milk, has immune-reactive properties. This might explain why some people with SLE have been reported to be intolerant of milk products. Although there are several published case reports of patients with SLE showing clinical improvement after avoiding allergenic foods, additional research is needed to determine the importance of allergies as a cause of SLE. People with SLE who wish to explore whether allergies are contributing to their condition should consult a doctor. Weight loss Foods with a high proportion of calories from fat should be eliminated from the diet or limited. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/learning/healthguide/healthguide_content ..jhtml?relativePath=%2Fcontent%2Fhealthnotes%2FFood_Hbc% 2FDairy_Foods_Hbc.htm & title=Dairy+Foods% 2C+Health+Benefits+and+Concerns JoAnn Guest mrsjoguest http://lists.topica.com/lists/AlternativeOptions/read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.