Early use of cow milk cuts allergy risk
Mon, Jun 06 2010
Despite the general belief, a new study says tasting cow's milk during the first two weeks of life protects the newborn against milk allergy in the long run.

Cow's milk protein allergy is the most common and most dangerous condition in families suffering from dairy allergies and intolerances. The condition is characterized with a wide range of reactions ranging from rash to respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms to shock and death.

Considering the common difficulties in digesting the sugar found in cow's milk, some pediatricians have discouraged the use of this type of milk until a certain age.

According to the study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, giving cow's milk to a newborn very early in life boosts tolerance and lowers his/her risk of developing cow's milk protein allergy by 19 times.

Previous studies had reported that children suffering from an allergy are more likely to present a second allergy. The new study, however, found no association between cow's milk and soy allergies.

"Soy is a reasonable feeding alternative for children with cow's milk allergy," added lead researcher Yitzhak Katz.

Scientists stressed that early introduction of cow's milk is no guarantee that the child would not develop the allergy, adding that further studies are needed to confirm the results of this research. 
Copyright Press TV