Does milk worsen cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes the body to produce unusually thick mucus, which clogs the lungs and digestive system. People with cystic fibrosis have trouble digesting dairy products because their bodies don’t produce enough of a protein called lactase, which helps break down lactose the sugar in milk. Some studies suggest that people with cystic fibrosis may be more likely than healthy people to absorb calcium from cow’s milk and other dairy products. That’s important because too much calcium can cause nausea, vomiting, or constipation.

Milk is a calcium-rich food.

Milk is a good source of calcium, which is important for people with cystic fibrosis. Milk contains vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and other nutrients. The protein in milk can also help you grow and build muscle.

Milk is not the only food that contains calcium; however–you can get it from many other foods (such as dark green leafy vegetables). Some people who have trouble digesting cow’s milk may be able to tolerate other forms, such as soy or almond milk, instead.

People with cystic fibrosis may be more likely to absorb it than healthy people.

People with cystic fibrosis have a different digestive system than healthy people. They have trouble absorbing nutrients, leading to malnutrition and other complications. One of the nutrients that people with CF more easily absorb is calcium.

Calcium plays an important role in keeping your bones strong and healthy, but too much can cause problems like kidney stones or even kidney failure if it’s not properly processed through your body. People with cystic fibrosis may be more likely than healthy individuals to absorb high amounts of calcium from milk products like cheese or yogurt–and this could lead to health issues down the road as well.

Calcium may cause symptoms in people with CF.

The high calcium levels in milk can cause symptoms in people with CF. If you have CF and are experiencing these symptoms, speak to your doctor about reducing the number of dairy products in your diet.

You may need to take medications that prevent excessive absorption of calcium. These include:

Aluminum hydroxide gel (Amphojel) or carbonate (Carbocisteine);
Calcium acetate;
Citrate salts (Citramate);
Ferrous fumarate;
Iron polysaccharide complex (Ferro-Sequels).

Some doctors recommend not giving cow’s milk to children with CF, while others don’t try to restrict it.

Discussing the pros and cons of restricting milk with a doctor is important. The pros include avoiding potential side effects and getting more nutrients in other ways, such as eating more fruits and vegetables or taking vitamin supplements. But some people may miss out on important nutrients if they avoid cow’s milk entirely (especially those who are lactose intolerant).