Whey protein allergy symptoms

Many fitness enthusiasts take supplements, and whey protein is the most common supplement. Whey protein can help our muscles recover quickly, thereby increasing muscle circumference. However, some people are allergic to whey protein. If they eat whey protein blindly, it will cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Therefore, we should understand our own bodies to avoid side effects. So, what are the symptoms of whey protein allergy?

1. How to prevent milk allergy in babies?

Generally speaking, breastfed babies have a lower risk of allergies than babies fed regular infant formula containing complete cow's milk protein, so breastfeeding is a more convenient way to prevent infant milk allergies. Because the protein in breast milk is the same protein as the baby, it has a very low allergenic effect. Breast milk also contains probiotics such as bifidobacteria, which can help the baby establish a healthy intestinal flora and train the baby's immune system, thereby reducing the risk of allergies.

When breastfeeding is not possible, a clinically proven, moderately hydrolyzed whey protein formula should be used.

Authoritative organizations such as the Pediatric Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), ESPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition), and the French Pediatric Society emphasize the prevention of allergic diseases through nutritional intervention. This is important for babies, especially those at risk of allergies; if breastfeeding is not possible, the baby should use formula milk that has been clinically proven to help reduce the risk of allergies and avoid contact with solid food and milk for at least 6 months after birth.

The U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved in May 2011: For infants who are unable to be breastfed and have a family history of allergies, feeding them with a moderately hydrolyzed 100% whey protein formula from birth to replace regular infant formula with complete milk protein can effectively reduce the risk of allergic eczema in the first year of life.

2. What is special about moderately hydrolyzed protein formula milk powder?

Cow's milk protein is a foreign protein to babies. Some components in cow's milk protein, such as β-lactoglobulin, are highly allergenic and can cause allergies in babies. Moderately hydrolyzed protein formula milk powder is processed through a protease hydrolysis process, which breaks down the large molecules of milk protein into smaller fragments, greatly reducing the allergic components of milk protein and reducing the allergenicity of the modified milk protein.

3. Not all hydrolyzed protein formulas have allergy prevention effects

Depending on the degree of hydrolysis, it can be divided into moderately hydrolyzed formula milk powder (pHF) and extensively hydrolyzed formula milk powder (eHF). Depending on the protein source, it can be divided into whey protein hydrolyzed formula and casein hydrolyzed formula. The allergy prevention effect of hydrolyzed protein formula is independent of the degree of hydrolysis and the protein source. Therefore, we cannot assume that the higher the degree of protein hydrolysis, the lower the allergenicity and the more effective it is; at the same time, we cannot assume that whey protein is necessarily better than casein. The only judgment on the preventive effect of hydrolyzed protein formula is clinical evidence, which must be supported by medical clinical research results.