Allergic to Whey Protein?

[Brego]

I think I am allergic to whey protein. I started taking it over Christmas and got a bad case of tonsillitis. I got that cured, then got back on the protein. Within 3 days I got an abcessed tonsil which caused me to have to have that tonsil removed. I am now back on it and within a day I have that good old fashioned itchy feeling in my throat. Have there been studies that show that some people are allergic? I refuse to take it anymore. Is there another source of protein supplement I may be able to take?

[Brego]

bump... anyone ever heard of such a thing?

[Cogar]

I have never heard of a connection between whey and tonsils. The most common allergy people encounter with whey protein is stomach upset. It is usually only a problem with the "cheaper" proteins. You might consider trying a whey protein isolate. Two I typically recommend these days are Syntrax Nectar and Bioplex Pure WPI.

Regarding your tonsils, your immune system may be weakened. You might want to see a doctor. (I am serious.) L-Glutamine will help your immune system, although when you take it only a small percentage makes it into your system. (People say it is not that effective for this reason, but I do believe it works.) Good luck.

[Brego]

I have seen a doctor. I spent a few days in the hospital after having the tonsil removed. What do you mean it may be weakened? It only happens when I take the Protein. To me that aims towards the whey protein being the cause, not the immune system.

[Dr Bill]

What brand?

-Bill

[Brego]

I am using GNC 100% Whey Protein.

[Dr Bill]

I read a couple weeks ago whey made a guy sick. Are you lactose intollerant?

Try a better brand then GNC, Isopure, ON, Pro Rated.

-Bill

[Cogar]

Originally posted by Brego
I have seen a doctor. I spent a few days in the hospital after having the tonsil removed. What do you mean it may be weakened? It only happens when I take the Protein. To me that aims towards the whey protein being the cause, not the immune system.

By weakened, I mean that you do not have the same resistance as "normal" people do. That does not mean that you cannot recover. It merely means that for this time you are more susceptible to infection than others are.

Since you had your tonsils removed, I would expect your resistance to be down. That is, your body uses your tonsils as part of its "defenses." When the tonsils cannot cope, they become infected and have to be removed.

One thing you did not mention is how long you have been bodybuilding. If you started within the last few months, I would expect your ability to recover would be lower since your body is being exposed to a greater task of recovering than it is used to. This is not meant as a criticism, but is merely an observation.

Once your system fully recovers from the tonsillectomy (and the bodybuilding if you are new), your immune system should be back to full strength.

Let me add that I cannot say for sure that it is not the protein, but I have never heard of anyone getting a cold, the flu, a sore throat, or any other bacteriological/viral problem from consuming whey protein.

[Brego]

I have been lifting for years now. I had to take 3 weeks off thought. Yesterday was my first day back. I can drink milk and other products just fine. While in the hospital, the blood tests would reveal anything that may weaken my immune system correct? I hope I'm not dying or something, heh......

[exhortae]

it's possible, I have seen strange things coming from food allergies.

[Cogar]

Originally posted by Brego
I have been lifting for years now. I had to take 3 weeks off thought. Yesterday was my first day back. I can drink milk and other products just fine. While in the hospital, the blood tests would reveal anything that may weaken my immune system correct? I hope I'm not dying or something, heh......

You got tonsillitis, got a tonsillectomy, and now you are recovering. I do not find it hard to believe that you would have problems with your throat for a month or two--including discovering a variety of things that will hurt your throat during your recovery. Good luck in any case.

[Z3R0-CooL]

u sure u dont have a cold?? make sure u dont have phenyloketonuria although it rare u might want to look into it...

Patrick Arnold said something to me a while back and i quote
"if you are prone to allergies from certain protein species (like the beta-lactoglobulin in whey) then I am not sure but LPC may exacerbate this."

[Brego]

Originally posted by Z3R0-CooL
u sure u dont have a cold?? make sure u dont have phenyloketonuria although it rare u might want to look into it...

I am pretty sure I do not have phenyloketonuria as I am not mentally retarded or have any metabolism problems. Nobody in my family does either.... I seriously think it is a food alergy to somethign in whey protein.

[AWILD]

I breakout on whey. So I guess my skin is allergic to it.

[Brego]

bump- any other thoughts?

[AWILD]

other thougths would be to go to healthboards.com

Its a free site, they dont sell anything, and have a HUGE category on just about every health related issue. You could probably just type "whey" into the search field and come up with a ton of info.