Dairy allergies are quite common. Due to the presence of certain proteins in dairy products, the human body’s immune system tends to react aggressively upon the ingestion of milk and other dairy products. Unfortunately, daily products are also a good source of calcium, a nutrient that plays a vital role in the body.
While calcium is involved in many bodily processes, its main role is forming and maintaining healthy teeth and bones. According to MedlinePlus, sufficient levels of calcium in the body can efficiently prevent the development of osteoporosis and other bone conditions. Furthermore, calcium also helps relax the muscles and maintain a normal heartbeat.
However, calcium is not naturally produced by the body. And so humans need to rely on their diet for their calcium needs. The most common sources of calcium are milk, cheese, and yogurt. The problem is many people are actually allergic to milk and dairy products due to some proteins and compounds present in these products.
Milk allergies tend to be very problematic since the symptoms that come with them cause a lot of discomfort. Some of the common symptoms of milk allergies are hives, vomiting, upset stomach, and bloody stools. A rare, but very life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis could also be caused by milk allergies.
But the human body badly needs daily calcium doses. In fact, the recommended intake is 1,000 mg of calcium for men and women. For older adults, they need about 1,200 mg of the nutrient daily. Although there are many calcium supplements available on the market, they are not strongly recommended to everyone since ingesting too much of these supplements could increase one’s risk of having heart disease, kidney stones, and other conditions, per Chris Kresser.
Fortunately, there are non-dairy sources of calcium that are readily available to everyone. Wellness Mama’s Katie Wells has identified these non-dairy sources in a recent post. According to the nutrition expert, bone broth dishes, fish with bones, and dark, leafy greens are among the best sources of calcium for people with dairy allergies.
The bone broth she recommended can be made from chicken, beef, lamb, bison, or even fish bones. As for fish, Wells said canned salmon and sardines are an easy and inexpensive way to up one’s calcium intake. The real-food crusader then named collard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, kale, and broccoli as good sources of the nutrient.
