Hello Everyone!
Quick version:
Does anyone know where I can find a guide to different types of food that breaks down the actual protein content? I would be happy enough just to be able to find the amounts of whey versus casein; however, if there is something more specific (something that goes into the content of beta-lactoglobulin and other whey proteins) that would be immeasurably helpful.
Any ideas from anyone? Thank you so much!
==== Long version or If youâ??re interested in why Iâ??m asking: ====
I am currently under the care of a gastroenterologist and trying to identify the cause of malabsorption, deficiencies, and gastrointestinal issues. This all seems to be related to food. The best I ever felt was when I was on a diet revolved around meat and vegetables. However, just defaulting to that older diet wonâ??t work; I know Iâ??ll do it, but the rest of my family (most of whom are sicker than I) would not bother to stick with something that restrictive unless I can pinpoint something more specific.
My sister has gluten-free for several months now, and she now can see that when she does eat gluten, it impacts her for a week. However, she is still quite thin, tired, and frequently sick. She now makes everything from scratch and generally eats whole foods. There simply seems to be something else going on.
While I have been experimenting with gluten for a few months, it does seem that milk is also a culprit. The other day, I ate a gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free meal that caused an awful three-day reaction. This reaction was gastrointestinal, but also upper respiratory, which is common in food allergies. The main identifiable culprit was a byline in the ingredient label: WHEY (milk). (For those of you unfamiliar with the difference with a milk allergy versus lactose intolerance: lactose intolerance is simply an enzyme deficiency - your body doesn’t break down lactose, so milk just passes right through the body. An allergy, however, may have those symptoms, but you will also have an allergic response, such as the upper respiratory signs (which I have noted before with milk ingestion).
The thing is, I know I was taking protein shakes at the time that I felt well, but Iâ??m not sure which proteins within the shake are safe and which are not. I donâ??t know which dairy items, if any, would be â??safe.â?? Or which foods.
Thus far, the best resource on this topic that I have found is: http://classes.ansci.illinois.edu/ansc438/Milkcompsynth/milkcomp_protein.html
Which states:
"Caseins are highly digestible in the intestine and are a high quality source of amino acidsâ?¦
Most whey proteins are relatively less digestible in the intestine, although all of them are digested to some degree. When substantial whey protein is not digested fully in the intestine, some of the intact protein may stimulate a localized intestinal or a systemic immune response. This is sometimes referred to as milk protein allergy and is most often thought to be caused by [beta]-lactoglobulin."
If you read this far - wow! Thanks!