Whey Intolerance?

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi Jordan,

I have been reading your work for years and really appreciate all you do - thanks!

I’m struggling recently with what seems to be an allergic reaction to whey protein powder. A single serving results in a runny nose, mucus build up in my throat, and low level headache. Symptoms last about an hour and vary in their intensity. It’s been a while since I’ve used protein powder and can’t recall these reactions previously. The product I currently have is from a large bulk protein supplier in Canada that I trust and I have tried both a concentrate and isolate with similar results (both with Stevia-based flavoring and completely unsweetened/unflavored).

I am an otherwise healthy 32 year old male of mixed British/Caucasian descent with no previous issues with milk, which I drink regularly. I even ran GOMAD for a few months a few years ago without issue.

Have you seen similar situations, ie. no intolerance to milk but allergic reactions to whey?

I notice some popular whey products have digestive enzymes (protease, lactase, etc.) - might this help?

My next step was going to be to try a few different products to see if my reaction is any different. But I don’t want to waste too much time and money if you don’t think this is likely to work? I’m guessing a move towards a vegan protein would solve the issues but I’d rather find whey that I can tolerate due to cost/availability advantages.

Appreciate any feedback you can provide.

Thanks,

TB

2

Not really, no. What else are you having with the whey? Any similar symptoms with any other meals?

Have you tried another brand of protein just to rule out there’s contamination in the whey?

This doesn’t appear to be a digestive problem though, right? Sounds like more of an allergy issue to me given where it’s at/

3

I’m having just whey and water. I don’t have any similar symptoms with other meals.

And you’re right, the issue is not digestive, so unlikely enzymes would help. Very much an allergy issue though I don’t have any known food allergies (just minor seasonal allergies).

I think I’ll try another brand and see if that helps. I figured this brand would be good since it doesn’t get much more simple than 100% WPI and Lecithin, but perhaps there’s a contaminant in the processing that my body is rejecting.

I’m in Canada so hard to economically purchase the BBM Whey - would any of the big retails brands be equivalent at this point as an experiment?

4

I’m not sure about in Canada, but bulk powders might be available up there. It’s more of just trying to rule out something with the brand you’re currently using.