Could milk be making you ill?

Could that bloated feeling you get after eating be down to lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance is when the body cannot break down the sugars in cow’s milk.

Note – lactose intolerance is not to be confused with a milk allergy. A milk allergy can result in an Anaphylactic shock and can kill. If you have an extreme, adverse reaction to milk, seek immediate medical treatment.

It’s estimated that 40 percent of the world’s population retain the ability to digest lactose (the sugar that’s in milk) after childhood. Some ethnic groups are more susceptible that others. This is usually people who don’t typically have dairy (foods containing milk in their diets).

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include –

• An upset stomach
• Stomach cramps
• Wind
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea

Tip – If you think you have lactose intolerance, try removing dairy from your diet and see if you feel any better.

Remember, many things contain milk. This includes –

1. Cheese.
2. Many brands of crisps (chips in the USA), including ones you might not think of like Walkers smoky bacon.
3. Margarine.
4. Cakes, especially ones with cream.
5. Cereal bars.
6. Trifle.
7. Many dark chocolates.
8. Sauces, especially pasta sauces.

Milk has also been linked with a high rate of breast cancer and osteoarthritis in the West.