What is the difference between Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) and Lactose Intolerance?
Why is it important to know that Lactose Intolerance and Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) are different?
Allergy to Cow's Milk Protein or CMPA is more common in children and involves immunological mechanisms, the body's defenses, which react to milk protein as if it were an aggressor.
Symptoms of Milk Protein Allergy:
It can present in mild to very severe forms, with very rapid or late onset. Symptoms can be varied: gastrointestinal, such as blood and mucus in stool, vomiting, diarrhea; cutaneous, such as urticaria, eczema, atopic dermatitis; respiratory; weight loss and, in its most severe form, anaphylaxis.
Can APLV consume lactose-free products?
Not if it contains milk or derivatives! The fact that it is lactose-free does not automatically make it safe for CMPA. Milk and its lactose-free derivatives have a protein composition identical to that of lactose-containing products and are therefore also allergenic. In cases of allergy, nothing that has cow's milk protein can be ingested, even the presence of traces can trigger serious reactions in an allergic person. (1.2)
Lactose intolerance is more common in adults and occurs when there is a lack of the enzyme (lactase) needed to digest lactose (the sugar in milk).
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance:
Lactose intolerance can cause digestive symptoms such as feeling of poor digestion, bloated belly, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, when ingesting milk and dairy products, and other foods or medicines containing lactose. Some cases may even be asymptomatic. It is a digestion problem and not an allergy.(1,3)
Lactose intolerance can drink milk?
Usually yes! People with lactose intolerance tolerate dairy products as long as they do not contain lactose or contain small amounts of lactose.
So what about Lactose Allergy?
Lactose allergy does not exist! It is just a frequent confusion between two distinct clinical conditions.(2)
It is important to know that Milk Allergy (CMPA) and Lactose Intolerance are different because the dietary restrictions are different and their severity is also different. It is important not to confuse them because in case of accidental ingestion of foods with milk, the intolerance can cause a lot of discomfort, but the allergy can be fatal.
Fidu products do not contain milk or any of its components, including lactose, so they are safe for both CMPA and Lactose Intolerance. We strictly control our raw material and in our factory we do not handle any foods that contain milk or dairy products, in this way we can guarantee the absence of cross contamination and traces.
Come and see our products suitable for allergic and intolerant people!
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(1) SPAIC Food Allergy Interest Group. (2017). Food Allergy: concepts, advice and precautions. (C. Costa, S. Prates, & I. Carrapatoso, Eds.) (1st Edition). Thermo Fisher.
(2) Veras, M., & Mendes, FAA (2018). Myths and Frequently Asked Questions about APLV (E-book). Milk Allergy Portal at https://alergiaaleite.com.br/
(3) (3) Turnbull, JL, Adams, HN, & Gorard, DA (2015). Review article: The diagnosis and management of food allergy and food intolerances. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 41, 3–25.
