Casein Protein and Crohn's

[quicksilver3121]

So this is my first post here, just discovered this forum the other day.

Long story short, I was diagnosed at 14 (now 28), had it really bad up until 2nd year of college until I started on Imuran. Took that for about 2 years (can't remember why I stopped)... haven't really had definite Crohn' symptoms until about a month ago (looking at 4-5 years of remission).

I've been trying to think what could bring it out of remission. For the few months leading up to this flare I was concentrating on putting on some muscle mass. On lifting days I would take a muscle gainer which had a mix of whey and casein protein. For the past month or so I was also taking a protein mix of whey & casein on non-lifting days (before that was just whey isolates).

Does anyone have experience with casein and Crohn's? I was packing on a lot of cals trying to gain some mass, and I'm wondering if the casein protein in particular did me in.

Last summer, I first tried straight casein protein by itself one night. The next day (out of nowhere) I had extremely bloody diarrhea which went away after 1 day.

These mixes don't say the ratio of whey to casein, but I know they do have casein in it.

I have an appointment with my old GI at the end of this month, unfortunately I couldn't be seen sooner. It's probably been since 2009 that I've actually seen a G.I. but I didn't really experience any notable symptoms over the past few years so I didn't bother with checking in. Hopefully I don't get some really bad news! I know he's going to want to scope me ASAP since I'm so overdue!

 

[Layla]

Hi, I'm lactose intolerant but when I was doing an elimination diet I noticed I was also sensitive to whey or casein, not sure which. The dietician (who has Crohn's herself!) said that was quite common to be sensitive to either or both of those if you're lactose intolerant,

Have you tried cutting out all dairy to see how you go?

 

[quicksilver3121]

I've cut out the whey/casein protein mix, but have still been taking the gainer post workout to replenish calories and glycogen levels. I've just been taking straight whey protein for shakes on other days.

I am actually considering trying a more paleo type diet. Seems like a lot of people have had success with it. I would rather control my symptoms through diet than go back on harsh medications, if possible.

 

[SooBee]

Isn't Modulen which is prescribed FOR Crohn's Disease a type of whey protein?

 

[George951]

Hi Quicksilver, I've had Crohn's for a long time, but recently decided to make some big changes to diet and nutrition, including using whey isolate as part of an elemental diet. From everything I've read, casein is very bad for CD patients. Basically casein still contains the lactose sugars. Whey isolate does not, depending on the brand and type, as the lactose sugars are consumed in the cheese-making process or whatever process was being used to separate the whey from the milk (curds).