We have all heard the sensible advice about taking care of our bones by drinking milk and yet how many people also suffer from sinus problems, general nasal congestion and a blocked nose.  All of these could be related as more and more people are becoming sensitive to dairy products.

When I started my career in reflexology (www.g-t-r.org) and complementary therapies I had absolutely no awareness of the problems caused by dairy intolerance and yet I had a son who was experiencing many of the symptoms.  No one told me that the problems that my baby was experiencing could be as a direct result of me eating dairy products while I was breast feeding or as he grew older when introducing him to baby yoghurts etc.

If you or your child are experiencing any prolonged or repeated symptoms of blocked sinuses, facial pressure around your sinuses, ear aches or repeated infection, these could be a signal that your body is trying to tell you that it is not coping with the milk products from your food.  There are also other ways in which the dairy intolerance can show up, these include:

·         Headaches

·         Nasal congestion

·         Poor hearing

·         Rogue “tummy” aches

·         Repeated colds, throat infections, tonsillitis

·         Snoring

·         Aching

·         Eczema

All of these are especially noticeable in children and yet also common in adults.

A friend of mine came to see me for a consultation and was complaining of low energy, lack of concentration, repeated sore throats and what she described as a ”full head”.  As a reflexologist I was able to see from Kim’s toes that she was showing the usual indications of sinus problems and sensitivity to dairy products.  She had never considered this as a possibility and told me that she regularly ate cheese, drank milk and had a yoghurt every day with her packed lunch.

It is common for people to have no idea that a degree of sensitivity to dairy products could be affecting their health.  If you have always eaten food that contains dairy products, neither you, nor your body, know what life is like with out them.  In Kim’s case she found that her health, energy and immune system soared once she restricted her dairy intake.

Mother Nature made milk from the cow for baby cows and we are not baby cows! So it is not surprising that some humans cannot tolerate the milk of another species. For those who can tolerate it, milk and milk products are a wonderful addition to a wide range of foods available, but for those who have problems with dairy products it can be a real hindrance to their health.

Over the years I have found that an increasing number of children and adults have been experiencing health problems, often challenges that they have had to put up with for years. It is always a good idea to ask a health professional for their advice and guidance.

You may find it helpful to give your body a chance to live without any dairy products for a short while and see if you (or your child) feel any better.  If anyone has any level or degree of sensitivity, then simply giving it a break from the overload to your immune system, can give your body a chance to get better.  Any long term dietary adjustments should be done under the care of an appropriately qualified health professional.

Reading the labels on anything that you buy and paying attention to the ingredients of anything that you eat when you are out can do much to help your health. Products to be aware of include:

·         Milk or milk derivatives

·         Casien

·         Lactose

·         Whey

Foods to pay attention to and consider avoiding:

Some other things that contain milk really surprised me – so check the labels of everything including:

·         Bread

·         Sweets

·         Cooked meats

·         Crisps/savoury snacks

There are lots of great alternatives to dairy products including Soya, rice or goat’s milk, soya yoghurts and ice-cream.  Dairy-free margarine and even plain chocolate instead of milk chocolate!

I know that people drink milk as a source of calcium, but did you know that there is more available calcium in cabbage than milk.  Eating green leafy vegetables can be a great source of calcium for you, as can soya beans, sardines, walnuts and dried beans.

If you have been suffering from any of the symptoms that may be related to eating dairy products, you can get extra help to clear your system by having a treatment of reflexology or Hopi Ear Candles (www.hopi.org.uk). Always ensure that your practitioner is well qualified, as thorough training is necessary to care for you properly.

The benefits can be wonderful for those who have been experiencing problems. Sometimes people have had the conditions for so long that they do not know what it is like to live without them. For some people it is normal to always have a blocked nose or be full of catarrh. Some people have always had mucous that just trickles down their throat and cause an early morning cough.  If life has always been like that then they can be delighted if it goes away. As Kim said “I had no idea I was badly affected until it all stopped. What a relief to be free of it all and feel so well. I did not know I felt unwell until now, as I feel so healthy and active.  Finding out about how dairy products affected me has changed my life”.

For more information or for testing for dairy intolerance, Hopi Ear Candle treatments/courses or Gentle Touch ™ Reflexology,

please contact:

Sue Ricks. 01509 214373