Dairy and Your Health: What Functional Medicine Experts Want You to Know
Dairy is a staple food in many diets worldwide, providing an essential source of nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. However, some individuals may experience health issues associated with dairy consumption, leading them to eliminate dairy from their diets. This blog post aims to explore the connection between dairy and health from a functional medicine perspective, discussing why some people are asked to eliminate dairy and why dairy might not affect others.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a personalised approach to healthcare that focuses on addressing the root causes of chronic diseases by considering the unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors of each patient. Functional medicine practitioners aim to understand the underlying imbalances and dysfunctions in the body that contribute to a patient's symptoms and design individualized treatment plans to restore optimal health.
The Impact of Dairy on Health
While dairy is a rich source of essential nutrients, it can also have adverse effects on health, particularly for individuals with underlying health conditions or sensitivities. Here are some ways dairy can affect health:
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive disorder that affects about 75% of the world's population. It occurs when the body cannot digest lactose, the primary sugar found in milk and other dairy products, due to a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose. Lactose intolerance can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain after consuming dairy products.
Cow's Milk Protein Allergy
Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a hypersensitivity reaction to the proteins found in cow's milk, affecting about 2-3% of children. CMPA can cause a range of symptoms, including skin rash, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. CMPA is often misdiagnosed as lactose intolerance, as the symptoms can be similar.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. Some individuals with IBD may be sensitive to dairy products, as they contain lactose and casein, two components that can trigger inflammation in the gut. Eliminating dairy products from the diet can help reduce symptoms of IBD.
Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects about 80% of individuals between the ages of 11 and 30. Some studies suggest that dairy products, particularly milk, can exacerbate acne symptoms. This may be due to the hormones and growth factors present in milk, which can stimulate the production of sebum, a type of oil that can clog pores and lead to acne.
Hormonal Imbalances
Dairy products contain hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which can interfere with the body's natural hormonal balance. In women, consuming dairy products may increase the risk of hormonal imbalances, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can cause infertility, weight gain, and other health problems.
Why Some People Are Asked to Eliminate Dairy
Functional medicine practitioners may recommend eliminating dairy products from the diet for several reasons, including:
Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities occur when the immune system reacts to certain foods, causing symptoms such as digestive issues, skin problems, and inflammation. Dairy products are a common trigger for food sensitivities, particularly in individuals with leaky gut syndrome or compromised gut health. Eliminating dairy products from the diet can help reduce inflammation and improve gut health.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Some autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, have been linked to dairy consumption. Eliminating dairy products from the diet can help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
Why Dairy Might Not Affect Others
While dairy can have adverse effects on some individuals' health, others may tolerate dairy products without any issues. Here are some reasons why dairy might not affect others:
Genetics
Some individuals may have genetic variations that allow them to tolerate lactose and other components of dairy products better than others. For example, individuals with European ancestry are more likely to tolerate lactose than those with African or Asian ancestry.
Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract, plays a crucial role in digesting food and maintaining gut health. Some individuals may have a more diverse and resilient gut microbiome that can tolerate dairy products better than others.
Fermented Dairy Products
Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir, contain probiotics, beneficial bacteria that can help improve gut health and boost the immune system. Some individuals may tolerate fermented dairy products better than other dairy products due to the presence of probiotics.
Conclusion
Dairy products can have both positive and negative effects on health, depending on the individual's unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Functional medicine practitioners can help individuals determine whether dairy products are contributing to their health issues and design personalised treatment plans to restore optimal health. If you experience symptoms related to dairy consumption, it is essential to speak to a healthcare provider and get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. For 1:1 functional nutrition sessions with me click here.
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