Plant Health

I have a question about the many cultured milk products that now contain added nonfat milk ( I suppose to provide more body or a thicker texture ). I am having a difficult time finding products that have not been "adulterated" in this manner, especially with store brands, which are more affordable for me, There are at present no warning labels indicating the presence of lactose in this type of product. I also am not sure if the "pure" cultured milk products may still contain a small amount of lactose (even tiny amounts affect me). I would like to be able to use these foods for the calcium benefit. Could you give me any information on this? Is lactose content (as opposed to "milk products") going to be included in the new labeling guidelines for 2006? I am especially concerned about this because my mother has severe osteoporosis and I want to follow a preventative diet. - Cathleen Rooks - 141

Many people think the terms food allergy and food intolerance mean the same thing; however, they do not. A food intolerance is an adverse food-induced reaction that does not involve the immune system. Lactose intolerance is an example. A person with lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar. When the person eats milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain may occur. A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food. The most common form of an immune system reaction occurs when the body creates IgE antibodies to food protein. When these IgE antibodies react with the food, histamine and other chemicals (called mediators) are released from various cells within the body. These mediators cause hives, asthma, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction. Milk-allergic individuals can safely consume pure lactose, but must avoid nonfat milk and all other products that contain milk protein. The new labeling law will require that any food containing milk protein be labeled as a milk allergen. Milk sugar (lactose) would not fall under this law unless it also contained some milk protein. - Debbie Scherrer - 142

There's a point at which the treatment cannot bring about a cure. - Dr. Gene Rudd - 168