question for lacto-ovo vegetarians

[CountAllVotes]

I was pulled off of all dairy products (esp. milk - I was never a fan of eggs as they never agreed with me as a child and I only used them in cooking once in awhile).

I noted a short time after I quit drinking the organic milk, eating yogurt and cheese that all of my allergies went *poof* a couple of days later.

It was suggested to me that I may be lactose intolerant. Does anyone know if you can be tested for this problem? If I am lactose intolerant that is ok with me. I've had these damned "allergies" for at least 30+ years now and was told they are due to my cats which is something I have never believed. I figured they were allergies to dust, pollen and other environmental things.

Any knowledge on this? I'd sure appreciate any!

CountAllVotes

[flamingyouth]

1. Yes, you can be tested for food allergies.

The most reliable test is a blood test, but my insurance didn't cover it (maybe yours will) and it can be a little pricey for the most reliable test. I had one about 16 months ago and found I was allergic to *everything* but then was diagnosed with cancer about a month later, so I'm sure that threw off my results somewhat.

Dairy is one of the most common, along with wheat, soy, corn, eggs and shellfish. I'm allergic to dairy and notice if I get even a little in my food. My hay fever allergies get way worse when I have any dairy!

You can also do an elimination diet and slowly add back the foods you suspect might be bothering you. Good luck! :hi:

[CountAllVotes]

2. I've noticed this

I had some pancakes made with milk and my nose started running and I began spitting up clear mucus almost immediately. That is why I am now suspicious (I never was before). I'm really enjoying not have the allergies anymore even though this whole thing has been very difficult.

I'm been drinking organic Rice Dream lately. I'm actually beginning to like it!!


Thanks for the info. :)

[flvegan]

3. There are two tests, I believe.

One is blood, one is breath.

To a degree, everyone is lactose intolerant. Dairy is the worst crap you can put in your body. Simple fact. I'm not surprised to hear of major clear ups of issues/allergies after dumping dairy.

[CountAllVotes]

4. that quickly?

This is the surprise to me - it was almost overnight. I still have allergies but nothing like they were. I guess even the organic milk, etc. is no good.

I see that organic Rice Dream has a lot of calcium in it but it has very little protein.

I think I need to find more protein and calcium both I think.

Thanks for the info. I'll ask the doctor (who believes in nothing "holistic") about this to see. }(

[flvegan]

5. Funny thing about "that quickly"

Run a Corvette on diesel, runs like crap. Swap out the fuel filter and changeover to 93 octane, it immediately runs better.

Body is the exact same way. Fuel is fuel, no matter what you're running.

[LeftyMom]

6. If you're allergic that would be rather typical.

Last year a fake cheese that I use was contaminated with dairy from another product made on the same equipment (later recalled) and I knew it right away because I felt really congested right after eating it, and had nasty GI symptoms after about an hour that I won't post about in detail for obvious reasons.

[CountAllVotes]

7. thanks to you and flvegan!

I do appreciate it! It sounds like I am lactose intolerant. Is there a connection between eggs and being lactose intolerant or do you know?

I've never been able to eat eggs without getting sick. Makes me really wonder now!

[LeftyMom]

8. hmm.

My understanding is that the primary symptom of lactose intolerance is bloat and gas, because the body can't break milk sugar down properly. Your mucus and congestion sounds more like an allergic reaction to me.

As for the egg thing, is that an allergy or something else? Because it's more usual for allergy-prone people to have more than one (unfortunately both flvegan and I know this on the basis of miserable personal experience) but one wouldn't really be the cause of the other, both are just caused by an immune system that gets wound up about the wrong foreign proteins.

[CountAllVotes]

9. well ...

They have also pulled me off of sugar, gluten and also anything with yeast in it along with the dairy products. It is difficult to know which is the culprit.

That reminds me, those pancakes had a small amount of maple syrup on them.

I just wish I knew which one is the culprit!

No digestive distress but then again, admittedly, my immune system is far from being "normal". I know this much for sure.

Thank you again LeftyMom!

[LeftyMom]

10. What else were the pancakes made with?

If they were made with a grain you're sensitive to, that could also be the problem.

I doubt it's the maple syrup though, that would be a very uncommon allergy indeed.

[CountAllVotes]

11. contents

organic whole wheat flour, organic buttermilk powder, organic vital wheat gluten, organic evaporated cane juice, non-GMO baking soda, leavening agent (monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, non-GMO corn starch, sea salt, tocopherols (natural vitamin E) added to enhance freshness.

Made in a facility that uses wheat, soy and milk.

I know it is not wheat as I've been eating bread made with wheat. However, I might add, the bread I have been eating does not contain any yeast. I do not know about gluten (does this naturally occur in bread?).

Thanks for helping me to figure out what is causing the allergies. Perhaps soy? However, I have had these allergies as far back at 1975 or before but they worsened with time. I never ate any soy at this time that I am aware of. I am also pretty much avoiding soy as well (or trying to).

[LeftyMom]

12. If you're on a gluten free diet, you shouldn't have any wheat.

Gluten is the primary protein in wheat, oats, and a lot of other grains.

So that might have been the problem. Or it might have been the dairy. A elimination diet, where you eat foods that don't cause symptoms for several weeks (typically rice and veggies form the backbone of this phase) and then reintroduce the suspected problem food to see if symptoms occur might clear this up. Or you could do a food diary and just look for patterns of symptoms after eating certain foods.

Did you test as having celiac disease or some other gluten sensitivity? Because if you're eating a wheat-based bread with no problems, I can't see why you need to avoid glutenous grains. Gluten sensitivity is kind of a popular diagnosis at the moment, some doctors and nutritionists are seeing it everywhere or making blanket recommendations to avoid gluten, and I really don't think that's warranted.

[CountAllVotes]

13. I have never been tested for Celiac's disease

however, I am at least 1/2 Irish by blood besides other things. I had an uncle and he was lactose intolerant, I know that much.

I was on the rice and vegetable diet for a long time. I then added the wheat bread made without any yeast and tolerated this ok too. I was when I ate the pancakes made with milk as well as containing buttermilk that the problem immediately came on.

Maybe I should just drink a glass of milk and see what happens! lol!!

Thanks again LeftyMom!! :)

[LeftyMom]

14. Yeah, it does sound like your issue is dairy rather than wheat/gluten.

No problem. :)

[CountAllVotes]

15. my acupuncturist believes so as well

so this theory is at least believed by someone. I wonder why doctors don't figure this out? Is it really done for $ to keep you having to pay out even more $ for allergy pills? Allegra 180 costs me $75.00 every time I fill it. Good riddance!

Thanks again!! :) :hi:

[flamingyouth]

16. You will probably find you'll need a lot less allergy meds.

Cutting back and eliminating foods that trigger my allergies has really helped me.

I have wheat sensitivities too. When I eat a lot of it, my skin reacts (I have eczema), so I just try to eat it in moderation. Actually, I think it's a good idea for people with food allergies to vary their diets. I've always had a tendency to go through craving phases where I eat a lot of one food and I think that gets me into trouble. :hi:

[Tumbulu]

17. gluten and lactose intolerance

I have spoken about this at length with a woman who has been supplying gluten and lactose free foods for a few years in her health food store. She says that most people who have become allergic to one of them also becomes allergic to the other very quickly. We are trying to figure out why.

I am interested as a farmer who is helping to revive some heirloom wheats and spelt and she because it is phenomenal how so many people have become allergic to both so very quickly.

Good luck.