The New Complete Book of Food

 The New Complete Book of Food

Allergy to milk proteins. Milk and milk products are among the foods most often implicated

as a cause of the classic symptoms of food allergy, upset stomach, hives and angioedema

(swelling of the face, lips, and tongue).

Lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is an inherited metabolic deficiency. People who

are lactose intolerant lack sufficient amounts of lactase, the intestinal enzyme that breaks

lactose into glucose and galactose, its easily digested constituents. Two-thirds of all adults,

including 90 to 95 percent of all Asians, 70 to 75 percent of all African Americans, and 6 to 8

percent of northern Europeans are lactose intolerant to some extent. When they drink milk

or eat milk products, the lactose remains undigested in their gut, to be fermented by bacteria

that produce gas and cause bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, and intestinal discomfort.

However, the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria added to acidophilus milk and some

yogurts digest lactose, converting it to ingredients lactase-deficient people may be able to

consume without discomfort.

Lactose Content of Cultured Milk Products

vs. Lactose in Whole Fresh Milk

Acidophilus milk 6g/cup

Buttermilk 9g/cup

Yogurt (low-fat) 12g/cup

Whole fresh milk 12g/cup

Source: Briggs, George M., and Calloway, Doris Howes, Nutrition and Physical Fitness (Holt,

Rinehart & Winston, 1984).

Galactosemia. Lactose, the sugar in milks, is a disaccharide (“double sugar”) made of one

molecule of glucose and one molecule of galactose. People with galactosemia, an inherited

metabolic disorder, lack the enzymes needed to convert galactose to glucose. Babies born

with galactosemia will fail to thrive and may develop brain damage or cataracts if they are

given milk. To prevent this, they are kept on a milk-free diet for several years, until their

bodies have developed alternative ways by which to metabolize galactose. Pregnant women

who are known carriers of galactosemia may be advised to avoid milk while pregnant, lest

the unmetabolized galactose in their bodies damage the fetus. Genetic counseling is avail-

able to identify galactosemia carriers.

Food/Drug Interactions

Tetracyclines (Declomycin, Minocin, Rondomycin, Terramycin, Vibramycin, et al.). The calcium

ions in milk products bind with tetracyclines to form insoluble compounds your body can-

not absorb. Taking tetracyclines with acidophilus milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or yogurt

makes the drugs less effective.