Cottage Cheese - yea or nay?

[kexodusc]

Actually, Lactose Intolerance is not an allergy. Although some people are allergic to milk products, the body's reaction is different.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to properly digest milk products due to your body not producing the enzyme required to break down the sugars in milk during the digestive process. A full description is here. Some people take enzyme pills, like Lactaid, before they eat dairy products and that helps break down the sugars and avoid the uncomfortable symptoms.

Where asthma is concerned, dairy products create phlem and mucus in your body. Excess mucus can constrict your airways. Many people who suffer from asthma find that reducing or removing dairy from their diets helps to reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks.

I'm not sure if that answers your question Kex. There's lots of good information on lactose intolerance, milk allergies and asthma on the Mayo Clinic website.

Oh...okay...so it's more of a respiratory allergy relationship - so in the spring and fall I should cut back on milk maybe for a few weeks when the asthma gets bad?

(edit: yes, I get all my medical advice from the ar.com forums!!!)

[ForeverAutumn]

Oh...okay...so it's more of a respiratory allergy relationship - so in the spring and fall I should cut back on milk maybe for a few weeks when the asthma gets bad?

(edit: yes, I get all my medical advice from the ar.com forums!!!)

Absolutely! I have terrible seasonal allergies that contribute to my asthma and I try to stay away from all dairy products during these seasons.

Soy is a wonderful substitute for dairy (I buy soy milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream). Some people like rice products also, but I find them too watery. If you choose to replace milk products with soy products make sure that the product is made with organic soy beans. Soy is one of the most genetically modified products available, organic beans will not be GM.

I avoid dairy any time that I have a respiratory illness, whether its an asthma problem or just a cold. I find that avoiding dairy at these times makes a huge difference in my ability to breath.

As for the Intolerance. Based on the explanation of your symptoms, what your doctor has told you is most likely correct. Those are the same symptoms that I was having that eventually led to my diagnosis also. Your body can stop producing these enzymes as you age, so it's possible to develop this intolerance as an adult. That's what happened to me and because of that it was a long time before I made the connection between dairy and my discomfort and finally went to my doctor about it.

The intolerance and the asthma are likely non-related issues. The only thing in common is that both are aggravated by consuming dairy products.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Oh...okay...so it's more of a respiratory allergy relationship - so in the spring and fall I should cut back on milk maybe for a few weeks when the asthma gets bad?

Uhhhh.... so like, have I been mysteriously transported to the WebMD discussion forums?

[ForeverAutumn]

Uhhhh.... so like, have I been mysteriously transported to the WebMD discussion forums?

Yep. That's why they call it the Off-Topic forum, my friend.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Yep. That's why they call it the Off-Topic forum, my friend.

Yes but, wasn't the topic about tapioca pudding.... err, no.... cottage cheese?

That would make this an off off topic right?

I love tapioca, but I'd eat fermunda cheese before I'd eat cottage cheese. :gag:

[GMichael]

Yes but, wasn't the topic about tapioca pudding.... err, no.... cottage cheese?

That would make this an off off topic right?

I love tapioca, but I'd eat fermunda cheese before I'd eat cottage cheese. :gag:

Eeeeeeeywwwwwaaaaa....
I'd rather have the CC.