Lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy?

Gorgonzola, taleggio, mozzarella, caciocavallo, toma piemontese, pecorino, Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano--a dairy tradition that the whole world envies us! Unfortunately, however, not everyone can fully enjoy them because oflactose intolerance, that is, the difficulty of digesting this sugar contained in milk.

Widespread throughout the world, lactose intolerance is most common among populations in south-central Africa and the Far East. In Europe, its prevalence is also uneven: less than 20% of the population in the north suffers from it, compared with 40-70% in central and southern areas. This is because the disappearance of the enzyme lactase, responsible for lactose digestion, which generally occurs in adulthood, does not affect all people equally.

However, even for lactose intolerant people there is some good news! In fact, you do not have to give up all cheese or dairy products: there are many naturally lactose-free products(for example, aged cheeses such as pecorino, Grana, Parmesan), which are generally well tolerated. So, the alternatives at the table are there--even without having to fall back on yogurt, butter, cheese and other lactose-free products.

Watch out for labels, too!

Lactose can "hide" in unsuspected foods, such as ready-made sauces, sausages, canned foods, and even in medicines!

So far we have talked about sugars, but we must not forget proteins, also those responsible for possible adverse reactions. In this case we are talking about cow's milk allergy, a disorder that mainly affects children (with percentages ranging between 2 and 7 percent) and tends to disappear in adulthood. Which is why, often, when doing Web searches on milk allergy as an adult ... the results almost always speak of "lactose intolerance."

How confusing! Yet, milk allergy is not so uncommon among people who are past adolescence. If you suffer from it, therefore, do not feel like "white flies." Once again, there are many alternatives on the table, and you can enjoy great recipes even without milk. And don't forget that the traditional cuisine of many countries, for example Chinese cuisine, does not or almost does not include dairy products.

Valentina Tedesco

www.slurp.it