I don know if I am allergic to lactose or the casein in milk. What is the difference?
Lactose intolerance is not a true allergy. As people grow older and sometimes even as children they do not produce enough lactase in their system to breakdown lactose/milk sugar. This is usually gradual until the point of discomfort. Ethnic background has much to do with lactose Intolerance. The majority of Asian, Africans and Hispanics are inherently intolerant to milk past childhood. Caucasians/Europeans lose the lactase enzyme more gradually. For example at age 45 you may be able to drink two glasses of milk a day, at age 55 even one glass may cause bloating, stomach cramps or diarrhea. That is why millions of people are constantly experiencing the discomforts of lactose intolerance without blaming the milk they drink. Generally, lactose intolerance manifests in stomach related or digestive problems. Almost as common is various allergic reactions to insoluble casein in milk, used to make Elmer’s glue, nontoxic paints, plastics and resins. This is the mucous forming part of milk and
