Are you one of those people who often get gas and pain in the stomach after a glass of milk? This does not necessarily mean that you are lactose intolerant.
The question of whether milk is healthy or not is very controversial. Although milk contains many beneficial ingredients, many people are sensitive to milk.
Those who suffer from flatulence and abdominal pain after eating dairy products often suspect lactose intolerance. But this is not necessarily the case, because another substance in cow's milk can also cause discomfort.
Cow's milk consists mainly of water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. However, the exact composition depends on the breed, feeding, health and age of the cow, and how the milk is processed. UHT milk loses a small amount of vitamins.
Here is a rough breakdown of cow's milk ingredients:
- Water: about 87 percent
- Fats: about 3.8 percent
- Carbohydrates: about 4.9%, mostly in the form of lactose (milk sugar)
- Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium
- Vitamins such as vitamin A, B vitamins and vitamin D
< li>Proteins: about 3.2 percent
Milk protein can cause stomach pain
“You can develop intolerance not only to lactose, but also to the milk proteins contained in milk. Similar reactions can be caused by the main milk protein casein and whey proteins ⍺-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin. Casein intolerance is a form of food intolerance in which the body experiences digestion difficulties. In people with casein intolerance, casein cannot be fully digested in the small intestine, which can lead to a number of symptoms,” family doctor Tatyana Zakharova says specifically for MedicForum.
Symptoms of casein intolerance can be similar to symptoms lactose intolerance and may include:
- bloating and abdominal pain
- diarrhea or constipation
- nausea or vomiting< /li>
- skin rash or itching
Other symptoms may also include headaches, fatigue, or joint pain. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the individual and the amount of casein consumed.
MedicalForum has previously written about the benefits of shiitake mushrooms.
Important! The information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.