Sinus infection or "acute sinusitis" is an inflammation of the nasal passage due to viral, fungal or bacterial infection. Symptoms of sinusitis include headache, fever, aches and sinus drainage. It may be advantageous for those with milk allergies, or sensitivities to cow's milk, to avoid those dairy products that tend to increase flem and mucus production in the throat and sinus cavities when sinus infection symptoms are present. Although some reports insist that milk is mucus producing, medical research is divided on this issue.
Medical Research
In a study published in 2005 by the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," researchers found that milk intake in those with a common cold did not result in increased symptoms of nasal secretions, coughing or congestion. A second study published in the "American Review of Respiratory Diseases" showed that those individuals who believed that milk was mucus producing reported more cough and congestion symptoms with milk intake; however, there was no increase in mucus secretions.
Allergens
Environmental and food allergens can cause inflammation, which may block sinus passages contributing to increased mucus productions and chronic sinus infections. Those with allergies to dairy may benefit from eliminating problem dairy to decrease inflammation and the risk of chronic sinus infections.
Kefir
Kefir, a fermented drink, created by soaking kefir grains in milk, produces a creamy yogurt-like drink full of B vitamins, enzymes and live active cultures. The lacto-fermentation process uses up the lactose, leaving behind more easily digested sugars. Kefir has been claimed by some doctors to be a miracle food due to its large number of healthy normal flora and its ability to repopulate the digestive tract with good bacteria, aiding in digestion.
Alternatives to Cow's Milk
According to author Jordan Rubin in "The Maker's Diet," raw goat milk is digested much more quickly and easily and is much less mucus forming than cow's milk. Rubin recommends eating raw goat milk, goat's milk yogurt, homemade kefir and soft and hard cheeses made with goat's milk as an alternative to cow's milk products. According to Rubin, raw goat's milk contains more vitamins, enzymes and minerals and is often tolerated by those even with milk sensitivities.
References
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Milk Consumption Does Not Lead to Mucus Production or Occurrence of Asthma; B Wüthrich et al.; December 2005
- "The Maker's Diet"; Jordan Rubin; 2005
- "American Review of Respiratory Diseases"; Relationship Between Milk Intake and Mucus Production in Adult Volunteers Challenged with Rhinovirus-2; CB Pinnock et al.; February 1990
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