• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter Nutrition
  • About
    • Media, Interviews & Guest Posts
    • Contact
  • Praise
  • Services
    • Creating Wealth eBook
    • Metabolism FastTrack eCourse
    • Hair Analysis
      • About Hair Analysis
      • Hair Analysis – Frequently Asked Questions
    • Gut Testing
    • Fatty Acid Testing
    • Free Consult
  • The Store
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Popular
    • Digestion
    • Weight Loss
    • Thyroid
    • Metabolism
    • Hormones
    • Detoxification
    • Low Energy
    • Hair Analysis
    • Skin and Beauty
      • Essential Oils
    • Diet Review
  • Quiz
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Articles
    • Recipes
  • Services
    • FAQs
  • Praise
  • Take the Quiz!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Articles
      • Recipes
    • Services
      • FAQs
    • Praise
    • Take the Quiz!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×

    Home » Digestion

    Why You're Sensitive To Dairy (ie. lactose intolerance) & What To Do About It

    By Catherine on December 8, 2013 Last Updated February 12, 2019 28 Comments | No Medical Advice | This Post Contains Affiliate Links

    Are you lactose intolerant? Here's how to tell and what to do about it | Butter NutritionDairy has been both glorified and demonized a lot in the last decade, earning a number of labels including inflammatory, mucus producing, and fattening. However, is it an issue with the kind of dairy, or does the problem lie in the body you’re putting it into? How can a natural, whole food that has nourished generations be so problematic and cause issues such as food allergies and lactose intolerance?

    Why might you be sensitive? Here's my top 5 reasons...

    1) Dairy can be problematic to digest

    If you have nutritional deficiencies (nutritional debt) and a slowed metabolism, you probably have weak digestive juices that don't allow you to digest your food properly.

    2) Dairy products have changed over the years in negative ways

    Most (not all) dairy comes from unhealthy factory farm cattle. This often means the cow was fed an unnatural diet, not allowed free movement or sunlight, and treated with antibiotics and hormones.  All these factors can make the milk MORE allergenic and LESS friendly to your body. Sometimes just choosing a different sourcing or brand can make all the difference. According to Dr. Ray Peat, PhD, "People who have told me that they have had digestive problems with milk have sometimes found that a different brand of milk doesn’t cause any problem.”

    Another huge factor to consider is the kind of milk you are drinking. According to Motherjones.com "An emerging body of research suggests that many of the 1 in 4 Americans who exhibit symptoms of lactose intolerance could instead be unable to digest A1, a protein most often found in milk from the high-producing Holstein cows favored by American and some European industrial dairies. The A1 protein is much less prevalent in milk from Jersey, Guernsey, and most Asian and African cow breeds, where, instead, the A2 protein predominates."

    Because of the way A1 milk is broken down, it’s more likely to be a problem for those with poor health or gut issues, where as making the switch to A2 milk may not be necessary for healthy individuals. According to Dr. Thomas Cowan, “One saving grace, as expressed in Devil in the Milk, is that the absorption of BCM 7 is much lower in people with a healthy GI tract. This also parallels the ideas of the GAPS theory which expounds upon this topic. BCM 7 is also not found in goat’s or sheep’s milk, so these types of milk might be better tolerated by those with a compromised digestive system.” For anyone suffering from lactose intolerance or inflammatory diseases (autoimmunity, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) as well as autism, and diabetes, a trial swap is a very worthwhile idea.

    A2 dairy products are those that come from goats, sheep, humans, about 65% of Jersey cows, and a few other varieties. Milk that is considered to be A2 dairy is NOT the traditional cow milk that you’ll find at your local grocery store. Traditional cow milk is what you call A1 dairy, commonly from a breed of cows called Holsteins, the most common dairy-cow breed you’ll find in the US.

    3) Added vitamins

    Reduced fat and fat-free milks require synthetic vitamins to be added back in because vitamins A and D are found in the fat of the milk. According to Dr. Peat, "Milk with reduced fat content is required by US law to have vitamins D and A added. The vehicle used in the vitamin preparation, and the industrial contaminants in the “pure” vitamins themselves, are possible sources of allergens in commercial milk, so whole milk is the most likely to be free of allergens.”

    Added synthetic vitamins can contribute to things like vitamin A toxicity, and could result in a poor response to dairy consumption.

    4) Other additives

    Some brands of milk contain additives and gums such as carrageenan that are known to cause GI irritation. In addition, 90% of North American Cheese is made with GMO derived rennet.

    5)  Hormonal imbalance

    Hormonal imbalance conditions such as progesterone deficiency and excess estrogen can actually allow you to lose the ability to produce lactase (ie. become lactose intolerance). Lactase is the enzyme needed to digest the sugar in milk. This can produce symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas and more severe distress for some, such as a “shards of glass” feeling in the intestines. Not fun!

    Benefits of dairy:

    • Dairy is a true nutritional powerhouse. What other food gives you protein, carbohydrates, and fat in one single food that requires no cooking?
    • Milk contains very high quality protein.
    • Contains low levels of unsaturated fats (PUFA) and iron (iron build-up can lead to increased inflammation).
    • Dairy is high in calcium and can have a significant “anti-stress” effect on the body (maybe a hint to why stress can trigger ice cream cravings?).

    If dietary calcium isn’t sufficient, causing blood calcium to decrease, the PTH increases, and removes calcium from bones to maintain a normal amount in the blood. PTH has many other effects, contributing to inflammation, calcification of soft tissues, and decreased respiratory energy production.” Dr. Ray Peat, PhD.

    Trouble in paradise: Is it lactose intolerance or a casein sensitivity that’s bugging you?

    • If you find that you can tolerate hard-aged cheeses (firm cheddar, Asiago or Parmesan) but you have digestive issues with milk and ice cream, this is a key indicator that you are having a problem digesting lactose (the sugar in milk). If this is so, seek out lactose-free dairy options: such as lactose-free yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and firm cheeses, while you work on up-regulating your digestive juices to tolerate lactose again.
    • A casein sensitivity is the other thing to look out for. Casein is the protein in milk, and there are a wide variety of symptoms that can result. Look out for symptoms that appear to be triggering your body’s stress response.

    Tips for incorporating dairy (if you are sensitive or lactose intolerant)

    • If you are sensitive to the casein in dairy, you need to eliminate it for a period of time, while you work on strengthening your digestive environment.
    • If you have trouble digesting lactose, it’s best to avoid it while strengthening your digestive environment and focus on up-regulating digestive juices. Sometimes after working with a nutritionist on your digestion, you can reintroduce lactose after a period of time without any issues, although this often can take up to 6-12 months or more. In the meantime, here’s a few tips to aid you in experimenting to find your level of tolerance:
      • Give raw goats milk or A2 dairy products a try. They are easier on your stomach.
      • Try aged goat and cow cheeses, such as Parmesan, which has virtually zero lactose. The longer the cheese is aged, the less lactose, so think aged cheddar and other firm cheeses.
      • Test out your reaction to homemade kefir and lactose-free products: yogurt, sour cream and dry curd cottage cheese to get the nutritional benefits without the digestive distress.

    Get some dairy if/when you are able

    Because dairy is such a nutritional powerhouse, clean dairy is a great addition to any diet. So try out the suggestions above to see where your intolerance lies. After avoiding it for a period of time, go slow when you start reintroducing.

    Tips for reintroduction:

    • Start with a small amount of Parmesan, since it is typically made with animal rennet and contains virtually no lactose.
    • If that goes okay, try small amounts of clean, lactose-containing cheeses such as mascarpone and ricotta.
    • Finally, introduce a small amount of milk (1-2 oz. /day) for a few weeks and slowly increase. A little milk in your coffee each day is a great way to try this.

    When a group of lactase deficient people have been given some milk every day for a few weeks, they have adapted, for example with tests showing that much less hydrogen gas was produced from lactose by intestinal bacteria after they had adapted,” Dr. Ray Peat, PhD.

    If you don’t like dairy or it doesn't work for you at all, that’s okay too. Everyone is different, and it’s important to understand that this is not a one-plan-fits-all kind of thing. Experiment and see what works best for you!

    Do you have a dairy sensitivity or have lactose intolerance? Please share in the comments!

    PIN IT:
    Are you lactose intolerant? Here's how to tell and what to do about it | Butter Nutrition

    References:
    Peat, Ray. Milk in context: allergies, ecology, and some myths. 2011. Retrieved on November 17, 2012 from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/milk.shtml
    http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/a1-milk-a2-milk-america

    More Articles You May Enjoy

    • redness and skin rash on the chest
      16 Signs of Histamine Intolerance (and WHAT causes it)
    • Is Your Chronic Gut Issue Really a Liver/Gallbladder Issue?
    • 3 Ways your Gut Makes or Breaks Your Mental Health
    • 9 Side Effects of Antibiotics

    About Catherine

    Hi there! I’m Catherine Crow. Seattle-based Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Educator, Diet Investigator, and Coconut Milk Ice Cream Enthusiast. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements. Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

    Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please note: using an affiliate link does not change the price of the product, instead the seller pays Butter Nutrition a small commission. My thoughts on these products are my own.

    Paid Endorsement Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Join the Conversation Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    1. Carey Huyser

      December 10, 2013 at 7:25 pm

      For those of us who have a sensitivity to whey or casein, can we also reintroduce milk slowly after a non-dairy period of time?

      Reply
    2. Volume

      December 12, 2013 at 8:39 pm

      Hey
      Me too! I am allergic to Casein! How can i heal this allergy 🙂 Or which dairy foods are lowest in Casein because i am nuts about dairy

      Reply
    3. Helios Farms

      December 18, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      All of these problems are caused by pasteurized milk. All of these issues are solved with clean, raw milk from grass-fed cows.
      See http://www.realmilk.com/ for more info. I couldn't drink milk for 45 years, until I got my own cow. Now we have a raw milk dairy, and are seeing the health benefits in so many families. There is zero nutritional value in heat-treated milk. That was an 18th century solution to an 18th century sanitation and feed problem.

      Reply
    4. Sandi

      December 18, 2013 at 4:58 pm

      Hmmm... My issues aren't addressed with this article. I eat very clean... Raw organic dairy, local organic grass-fed meat, grow much of my own organic veggies, etc. About a year ago I became dramatically allergic to casein, even if I hold milk or yogurt in my mouth it starts itching and if I swallow it I will start wheezing and coughing, with my throat and chest producing tons of mucus. All cow's milk products cause the same reaction, including organic cheeses and butter, but I have no issues with goat or sheep milk cheeses. This is not a lactose issue. I feel it would be very foolish to ever try to reintroduce any cows milk to my diet.

      Reply
      • Sandi

        August 29, 2014 at 6:37 am

        Follow up to my previous comment... does the author EVER look at the comments and respond? I sure would like some feedback toher than "Your problem is conventional dairy"!

        Reply
      • Sam

        March 13, 2016 at 3:17 pm

        Sandi:

        I can have goat and sheep's milk products as well! Parmasean is the worst aged-cheese for me. Even lactose free cheese does not help.

        Reply
    5. Helios Farms

      December 18, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      What happened to my comment? It was awaiting 'moderation'. I'll try again:

      All of these problems are caused by pasteurized milk. All of these issues are solved with clean, raw milk from grass-fed cows.
      See http://www.realmilk.com/ for more info. I couldn’t drink milk for 45 years, until I got my own cow. Now we have a raw milk dairy, and are seeing the health benefits in so many families. There is zero nutritional value in heat-treated milk. That was an 18th century solution to an 18th century sanitation and feed problem.

      Reply
    6. Geetu

      January 13, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      I am absolutely fine with dairy apart from sweet cream or ice cream which gives me terrible IBS described above in the 5th note

      Reply
    7. Nichole

      March 25, 2014 at 10:48 am

      milk is hormone/antibiotic dowsed garbage. it is there for a baby calf to become big fat cow and we wonder why there's an obesity epidemic in our country. maybe there's a reason why people can't drink it.

      Reply
      • Helios Farms

        March 25, 2014 at 1:52 pm

        Try fresh, raw milk from a small, grassfed dairy. See http://www.realmilk.com for more info. There you can also find a small dairy in your area using their 'milk finder'. Support small farmers producing real food 🙂

        Reply
      • Sarah

        May 31, 2016 at 8:06 am

        Right on! Someone finally has nailed it! This blog is pretty onviously trying to stay on the side of dairy. But if you look into the dairy industry and the way these poor cows are treated, you'll never want more milk or ice cream. Switch to coconut milk ice cream or hemp, but god, not soy, another problematic "product" but not an actual food. Dairy is acidic and mucous causing. It is a detrement to the body each and every time it is consumed, something the body has to work hard to get rid of because it is definitelt NOTnutritious, no matter what these people who support mega industrial dairy farming are telling you.. Look around on the internet and educate yourself away from dairy products. They are unnatural and non nutritious and cause all sorts of GI issues as well as emotional and mental symptoms, like depression. Best of all, you can remove it from your diet, and watch for improvements, add a bunch back in and watch for all the symptoms to flood back. Elimination diet. Try it.

        Reply
        • Denise

          August 24, 2016 at 12:34 pm

          I've noticed lately that I've had these spells of sadness and tears. Yes I've had a lot going on in my life, but I'm typically level-headed and motivated. I recently started using regular organic milk in my morning lattes this past week. I'm wondering if there is any correlation.

          Reply
    8. Rachael @ Love Yourself Green

      August 28, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      I'd love to be able to eat cow's dairy again once in awhile. As some of the other commenters have asked - is that possible? I just became allergic to dairy in 2012 due to Leaky Gut - I had nutritional deficiencies and didn't even know it... but my hair was falling out and my docs really should've been able to put two and two together for me based upon my symptoms. I'm much healthier now, though - I eat an all organic diet and have cut out all junk and gluten/grains/wheat and legumes. Doing quite well now - still missing regular cheese once in awhile though...

      Thanks for the great article! 🙂

      Reply
      • Joyce

        January 11, 2018 at 2:49 am

        I had allergy symptoms of congestion in sinus and lungs after dairy. Gave it up 3 years,ago. Eat grass fed beef and generally improved my health with mostly whole foods, lots if organics and found I could have grass fed butter on my veggies. Lost 40 lbs. Now 3 years later I am trying imported cheeses and had some yogurt, all not causing problems! I am trying goat and sheep cheeses and can't believe it but having no reactions. My allergy seems to be gone.

        Reply
    9. Shirley Bauman

      February 01, 2015 at 9:59 am

      I don't know if anyone will read this as it's some time since this article was written, but here goes! Try milk from one of the older breeds of cows e.g. Jersey, Guernsey. They produce A2 milk. It makes the protein different I forget the details.. See "The Devil's in the Milk" and do a search for an article on A2 by Snowville Creamery. Goats milk is A2. Milk from Holstein cows has the A1 gene and that seems to be problematic even if they are grassfed. All the best everyone!

      Reply
      • Louise

        December 07, 2022 at 3:19 pm

        Thank you for this information. My gastro doctor told me that I don't have an allergy to dairy. That MAYBE I have an 'intolerance' to dairy, but not an 'allergy'. All I know is it makes me sick when I have dairy - milk, cheeses, ice cream. But oddly I can eat plain Greek yogurt - in moderation - and not suffer too much. I will do research on A2 milk and also check out Helios Farms and http://www.realmilk.com/ to find a raw milk local dairy. Though it's been some time since your post I just came across it and am glad I did.

        greek yogurt

        Reply
    10. Krystal

      April 02, 2015 at 1:05 am

      I only consume raw milk and don't have any reactions to dairy other than increased mucus production, is that normal or does that mean I have a sensitivity to it and should avoid it?

      Reply
    11. sandy

      December 10, 2015 at 9:32 am

      If casein is the problem, finding Guernsey A2/A2 milk may help. It's a different protein and some people tolerate it much more easily.

      Reply
    12. Claire

      December 10, 2015 at 5:23 pm

      Love a great many of your articles but dairy?? Nope. Cow's milk is for calves. It is a baby food and weaned means no more milk. We do not need it. Digestive enzyme for dealing with lactose starts to drop age 4 and is virtually gone by age 7. The natural age for human weaning from the mother is around 4 to 7 yrs. After human milk we don't need anymore milk.

      Reply
      • Panait Ciprian

        March 27, 2016 at 3:08 am

        this is a lie. the milk for calves is different and has a bad taste to humans. But a cow produces milk continnuosly. what you said is a lie from people that never drank real milk.

        Reply
        • Sarah

          May 31, 2016 at 8:15 am

          Cows only produce milk continuously because we force them too with constant milking. Cows have been enginneered by us to produce much much more milk than they would for one calf. This is not nature. Educate.

          Reply
          • haydnikki

            January 07, 2020 at 9:26 am

            Thank you! People need education. It really should make sense when you’re introduced to the notion. I remember hearing this at a lecture in college 20years ago and I haven’t drank regular milk since then. I haven’t been able to completely drop cheese though 🥴 it’s been a weakness, lol.

            Reply
    13. Marie Coe

      April 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      I have a kid who has issues with dairy. Tests negative for allergies I hear rumor he does produce lactase. Ask me not enough. However if you even feed this kid anything with normal milk his tummy hurts. Give him lactose free stuff he is fine. Bake the items with his 2 percent lactose free milk he is fine. WTH???? How do you find the cow source of milk?

      Reply
      • Sarah

        May 31, 2016 at 8:17 am

        Your tests are the tests that matter. Not the doctor's allergy test. I think you have your answer based on what your child is telling you.

        Reply
    14. Stefan

      March 31, 2017 at 5:17 pm

      I read the title as "wheat to do about it". The irony

      Reply
    15. Linda

      July 31, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      I was tested with a blood sample and told I am sensitive to whey and told to stay away from all dairy, including that from goats because it all contains whey. Yet when I do have dairy, I have no reactions at all. I find it hard to believe that I'm really sensitive to it, but was told after testing on two occasions that this is the case. What to believe?

      Reply
    16. Leon

      September 06, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      I can not consume any food containing regular milk without experiencing flatulence, or diarrhea. I initially thought that I had a lactose problem. When I drink lactose .free milk I do not have digestive problems. I accidentally consumed some organic ice cream and did not have any digestive problems. I bought a half gallon of organic milk consumed it and did not have any digestive problems. I now purchase only organic milk and ice cream and do not have any digestive problems by consuming either. I still have digestive problems with any product containing regular milk.

      Reply
    17. SB

      March 16, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      I turned lactose intolerant at the age of 18 through hormonal changes (doctors never thought of after numerous testing, I self diagnosed after a year of pain). At the same time I also turned allergic to metals (earrings/bracelets) except gold. The reason that I now know it's related to my hormones is because while I was recently pregnant (3 miscarriages) I could eat any and all dairy I wanted and digest it just fine!! It's been a struggle to miscarry and then go back to a lactose-free diet back and forth. 🙁 I was hoping that after I got pregnant things might change - they haven't yet! Thank you for the wonderful article.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Catherine

    As a nutritional therapist, my passion is education. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements! Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

    Follow on:

    • Facebook

      45k

    • Instagram

      2k

    • Pinterest

      61k

    • Tiktok

      13k

    Quiz: Are you in nutritional debt?

    Get your free customized results!

    Take the Quiz

    3 Nutrition Secrets

    Grab the 3 Nutrition Secrets You Must Know for Your Health to THRIVE!

    Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

    What Others Are Reading:

    • WARNING: 6 Supplements Not To Take Without Testing
    • Why I Don't Recommend Pink Himalayan Salt
    • Pro-Metabolic Ray Peat Diet Review
    • Is Your Chronic Gut Issue Really a Liver/Gallbladder Issue?
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Get The eBook!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Catherine
    • Client Praise
    • Media/Interviews/Guest Posts
    • Newsletter Sign Up

    Fine Print

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility
    • Terms of Use

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    Copyright © 2023 Butter Nutrition LLC