Lactose Intolerance vs. Dairy Allergy......Is there a Difference?

When I tell people that I am allergic to dairy, the follow-up question is usually "Oh, so you are lactose intolerant?" There are so many of us who believe that these two medical conditions are the same, or that these terms can be used interchangeably.

This article will address the misconception surrounding such belief. This has greatly limited my food options to the point where I have to carefully examine food labels to ensure that there are no dairy additives snuck inside.

First we need to understand what lactose is and what it means to be lactose intolerant. Lactose is the name of the sugar found in milk, consisting of glucose and galactose. If we consider the three main food groups: Carbohydrates, Fats and Proteins, lactose falls under the carbohydrate category. When we eat foods, we rely on the process of digestion to break down these foods so their nutrients can be easily transported to our cells.

Enzymes are special agents used in digestion to break down foods into smaller units. In the case of lactose intolerance, the body loses the ability to properly process lactose which can be due to an absence, or insufficiency, of the enzyme lactase, which is the enzyme that specifically breaks down lactose into digestible units.

When this happens, the lactose portion of milk or milk products, passes through the body undigested, with some undesirable effects. Some symptoms include bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. If there's so much discomfort associated with certain foods, then eliminating these foods from our diets should be a no-brainer.

But this is not as easy as it sounds. Milk or its byproducts are very common ingredients in the foods we love such as desserts, sauces, breads, shakes, ice cream, pizza, and even some soups just to name a few. Another alte
ative is to use tablets that contain lactase to aid in digestion.

So what about a dairy allergy?
Have you ever wondered why some people are allergic to peanuts while others can devour all the nuts in the world like a hungry squirrel? Or why others are allergic to shell fish yet you can't wait for your next visit to Red Lobster? Our bodies react to foods differently and one action that governs its response is called an allergy.

An allergy is a misguided response by the immune system. Our immune system is critical to our survival since it acts like an army of soldiers ready to defend the body from unwanted invaders. These invaders that trigger an allergic response are called allergens. Allergens can be found in foods like peanuts, shellfish and milk protein. Other allergens include dust, pollen, and animal dander.
When the body is exposed to certain foods like mammalian milk (such as cow's milk), our immune system is fooled into thinking that these are harmful and contains allergens. A series of reactions is then triggered with the goal of protecting the body from these invaders, except that they aren't quite "invaders."

In an allergic response, the body produces chemicals called histamines. These are the culprits that are responsible for the great deal of discomfort that follow. Some symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, an itchy sensation in the throat, as well as hives. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in extreme cases can cause anaphylactic shock which can lead to death if not treated immediately.

Allergies can be treated in different ways. Allergy sufferers can take allergy shots or they can receive anti-histamine blockers from a doctor. They can also take over the counter medications that reduce the effects of allergens, such as Benadryl, Claritin or Zyrtec.
So there you have it: Dairy Allergy vs. Lactose Intolerance.
To be allergic to dairy is not the same as being lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is a condition associated with the digestive system while an allergy is directly related to the immune system. Either condition can seriously limit your food choices and either one should make you very aware of the content of everything you eat.