Casein sensitivity

Could your stomach aches or bloating after eating dairy be related to a casein sensitivity? Find out more about this food sensitivity and how to find your way back to a happy gut.

Milk consumption continues to decline in the US, but Americans cannot deny their love of other dairy products like cheese and butter which reached an all-time high in consumption in 2019. But dairy isn’t for everyone. While dairy intolerance is not a rare occurrence in adults, especially those that are of African or Asian descent, some of that digestive discomfort might actually come from a sensitivity to casein, a major protein found in cow’s milk.

What is a casein sensitivity?

Casein sensitivity (sometimes referred to as casein intolerance) is a type of dairy food sensitivity, also known as the cow’s milk protein sensitivity. At YorkTest, we test for protein triggers in milk more generally, looking specifically at the body’s IgG antibodies reaction to the presence of milk proteins, such as casein. Those IgG antibodies (created by your immune system) can cause inflammatory responses up to 72 hours after dairy consumption.

When a casein allergy occurs, the reaction is much more immediate and can be life-threatening in severe cases. If you suspect that you have a cow’s milk allergy (or any wider food allergies) then we recommend that you speak to your family doctor to provide medical advice.

Casein is just one of the proteins found in cow’s milk and dairy foods, but it accounts for 80% of cow’s milk proteins with whey making up the other 20%. In comparison, human breast milk is made up of only 40% casein, which may explain why a casein sensitivity might appear later on in life as the body faces more of the milk proteins.

Fresh milk in glasses in front of a rustic vintage background

How to know if you have a lactose intolerance vs. a casein sensitivity

It’s very likely that you’ve chalked up your discomfort after having dairy to being intolerant to lactose. We don’t blame you. In fact, about 30 million Americans find that they’re lactose intolerant before they’re 20–this is especially prevalent in communities of African, Asian, or Native American descent.

However, a reaction after having milk products could be towards dairy proteins instead. With a casein sensitivity the body develops an inflammatory response to the casein protein. A lactose intolerance, on the other hand, occurs when the body lacks the enzyme lactase to digest lactose, the naturally occurring sugar found in milk. A food sensitivity test is one way of knowing whether casein or lactose intolerance is affecting you.

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The Premium Food Sensitivity Test measures your IgG reactivity to 200 foods and drinks. Get answers on which foods could be triggering your IBS symptoms, headaches, bloating, tiredness, and more. Simply collect your finger-prick blood sample at home. Mail it to our laboratory for testing. Then receive your results online within 7 days!

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Customers must be aged 18 years or over to take this test. For under 18s, take our Junior Food Sensitivity Test. This test is not available to customers who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Test for casein sensitivity

If you suspect that your symptoms are tied to the casein protein in dairy, we recommend taking a food sensitivity test to determine whether casein is truly affecting your gut or whether other ingredients could also be the issue. At YorkTest, we analyze your IgG antibodies 1-4 through a simple finger prick blood sample, one of the most accurate methods of testing.

The blood test can identify over 200 ingredients to which you may have food sensitivities and ranks their severity in a traffic light system, an easy-to-follow guide to help you eliminate the right foods on the way to a happy gut. Our team is also on-hand to help you navigate your food sensitivities and develop a new everyday diet.

Symptoms of a casein sensitivity

Casein sensitivity symptoms can appear in a variety of ways, and because of the possibility of a delayed inflammatory reaction, it can be hard to know whether the symptoms you’re experiencing are definitely tied to casein/milk protein. Nevertheless, some of the more common symptoms that appear after consuming dairy are:

Bloating
Abdominal cramps
Stomach ache

Diarrhea

Constipation
Excessive gas

Fatigue

Skin rashes
Eczema

Joint pain

A casein sensitivity is not the same as a casein allergy or milk allergy, which is a lifetime diagnosis. Some of the symptoms can be similar, however allergic reactions to casein will typically be instant and more severe, prompting symptoms such as difficulty breathing that must be treated immediately. A food sensitivity test can be helpful in determining which is ailing you.

Foods to avoid if you have a casein sensitivity

As casein makes up a large proportion of most dairy products, strict avoidance of milk and milk products is important to prevent any discomfort. It’s important to read food labels carefully to make informed choices and lower your own risk of unpleasant reactions. Some foods to avoid are:

Cow’s milk
Yogurt
Cream
Custard
Cheese
Protein powder
Kefir
Crackers
Instant potatoes
Canned soups
Instant hot chocolate
Flavored chips
Cakes and pastries
Microwave popcorn

Casein-free alternatives

While we all like to indulge in a sweet treat or two or love an easy bake casserole, there are easy-to-find alternatives to make sure you still get to enjoy your favorite foods even with a casein sensitivity.

If you need to follow a casein free diet, have a look at your local grocery store for some of the alternatives to milk ingredients below:

Almond milk
Soy milk
Coconut milk
Oat milk
Rice milk
Plant-based butter
Plant-based yogurt
Coconut oil
Avocados
Nutritional yeast

You may also worry about your vitamin D intake if you avoid milk, but there are other ways to get it naturally. Most of the alternative milks above are usually fortified with vitamin D, as is orange juice. You can also find it in other foods like egg yolks and fatty fish like salmon and tuna.

Feeling unwell after having dairy isn’t uncommon, but you might not fully understand why your digestive system is experiencing a reaction. Taking a food sensitivity test takes the guesswork out of elimination diets and can help identify your trigger foods. With your test results in hand and professional medical advice from your family doctor, you can take back control of your diet and make meal times less of a food challenge.