There are so many different types of milk available. When we go to the supermarket, there is choice after choice of milk. There is full cream, skim, A2, coconut, nut milks such as almond or macadamia milk, oat milk, goat milk, lactose free milk, rice milk, and the list could go on!

I am not against dairy! I eat it sometimes. I do, however suggest that some people reduce or avoid it. Some people are fine to have it, some people function better off of it.

It is mucous forming, and is often a cause of allergies or intolerances, especially in children. However, dairy is also a good source of many nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, magnesium and is also a good source of protein, to name a few.

When it comes to milk, there are two main parts, being lactose and casein.

Lactose is the sugar part of the milk, and can be a problem for some people. If you have a problem with lactose, your digestive system is unable to break down this part of the milk properly. You might notice symptoms such as bloating, wind and diarrhea. If you drink a milky drink, such as a latte, or a milkshake and you need to go straight to the toilet afterwards, this can be another indication that lactose is an issue for you. If this sounds like what you are experiencing, then lactose free milk might be a good option. Making steps to improve your digestive health can also help.

Casein is the protein part in the milk. There is the A1 protein and the A2 protein. Most of the milk we buy at the shops is A1 milk. Most cows produce this type of milk, there are only a few breeds that don’t. This type of milk can be inflammatory, and can cause a number of issues for some people. A2 milks, and jersey milks contain the A2 protein, as does goats milk and sheep milk. While these are also dairy, they can often be tolerated better and are gentler on the digestive system. You need to look for the specific A2 type of milk, or jersey milk for this.

As I mentioned before, dairy is a mucous forming food, so if you have a cold, it can be a good idea to reduce dairy. If you get recurring ear infections, tonsillitis, croup, sinus infections, of if you have bowel issues such as diarrhea or constipation, if you have skin issues such as eczema, if you have behavioural issues, or even if you have large tonsils, these could indicate an issue with dairy.

If you think you might have a problem with dairy, please book in to see me, or another health professional, so you can work together to find the best way to go about improving this.