Goat's Milk for Allergies

An allergy to cow's milk is the most common food allergy today. Being diagnosed with a cow's milk allergy can be overwhelming when you look at the foods that must be eliminated from the diet. However, goat's milk has been used for years as an alternative for allergic individuals. This milk is less allergenic and tastes great as well.

Cow's Milk Allergy Alternative

• Goat's milk is a great choice for someone with a milk allergy. People who suffer from cow milk allergy have an inability to digest the protein found in cow's milk: casein. This protein is not found in goat's milk and makes it a much better choice for someone who is unable to drink cow's milk due to an allergy to the casein. Goat's milk also contains an ample supply of calcium. This vital nutrient is often hard to come by for those who are unable to drink cow's milk.

Alternative to Cow's Milk Infant Formula?

• When an infant is allergic to cow's milk formula, many parents question if using goat's milk as an alternative to the cow's milk-based formula is acceptable. The fact that goat's milk is more digestible and generally less allergenic than cow's milk make it an attractive option. However, it is important to note in the first year of an infant's life a good formula is crucial to their nutrition and overall physical development. Soy formula or an appropriate hypoallergenic formula is a great alternative to a cow's milk formula during the first year. There are also recipes for goat's milk formula available online. However, you should check with your pediatric doctor or pediatric nutritionist before making the switch to goat's milk formula.

A Better Alternative?

• Goat's milk is closer in composition to human milk in its composition. In many countries it is the preferred choice to feed to infants. Overall, goat's milk is a great choice for anyone who suffers from a milk allergy who is older than 1. It may also be healthier for the general population as a whole.

Goat's Milk Products

• While it might seem a little daunting to find goat's milk in the store, it is available in most major grocery stores. It is not stored with the more traditional gallons of cow's milk. Instead it is stored in smaller containers, such as half gallons or smaller, in the dairy section. In addition, to regular goat's milk, other fun items are on the market today, as well. Goat's milk ice cream is available in some stores. You can also find non-edible products, such as goat's milk soaps and moisturizers.

Allergy to Goat's Milk

• Although goat's milk might appear to be the perfect solution to one who cannot tolerate cow's milk due to allergies, it is important to note than some of these will also have an allergy to goat's milk. It is frequently associated with a cow's milk allergy but this is not always the case. If you suffer from an allergy to cow's milk and are considering switching to goat's milk as an alternative, it could be a wise decision to have allergy testing done specifically for goat's milk to avoid any potential allergic reactions.