MILK MYTHS
by Elaine Edwards
I know this news will probably break your face. After all what could be any more American than a glass of milk? Americans grow up believing that cows milk is a requirement our bodies need. This is the Number #1 American Milk Myth. Human beings are not designed to drink any milk except human milk during infancy.
Milk is the first food that all mammals consume, our mother’s breast milk is specially formulated to meet the unique biological make-up/needs for our particular young and its unique immune system for that particular mammal and, if a human mother chooses not to breastfeed or can’t, then substitutes based on cow’s or soya milk are generally used. Breast fed babies are less likely to develop allergies and or get sick. Studies also show that breast fed babies on a whole are more secure than those who are not breast fed. Yet we associate cow’s milk with comfort and nurturing and consider milk to be a wholesome nutrient-rich component of the diet that is essential for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
For all other mammals weaning their young off milk at an early age is the norm. Not only do humans continue to drink milk into adulthood but we consume the milk of another species. No other mammal does that. For clarity, contrary to popular belief, most people in the world do not drink milk. Doing so would make many of us ill. But in North America, and most European countries drinking milk is the norm. Infants, the young, adolescents, adults and the aged all consume large quantities of milk, cheese, butter and yogurt every year.
Why are the modern contemporary civilized societies so convinced that milk is some kind of wonder food? The government recommends that everyone age 9 and up consume the milk or milk products because it’s vital to healthy bones. But is it?
It is not essential for good health. While we’ve been conditioned to believe milk is the epitome of healthy drinking, it’s really a gamble. It can be beneficial or highly detrimental. Physicians’ emphasis on the importance of milk and dairy products for young bodies has long been a part of the standard food pyramid taught to and perpetuated by our children.
Of course there is also goat milk, and milk from other mammals, but particularly cows milk, has long been a regular food staple for many. Dairy products from cow’s milk, such as cheese, yogurt, butter and kefir are regarded as major sources of protein, vitamin D and calcium. On the flip side, it’s also a trigger for lactose intolerance.
Lactose is a sugar usually digested in the intestinal tract. Many people lack or lose the ability to digest lactose after infancy and will suffer from significant bowel cramping, bloating or even loose bowels upon consuming dairy products. This problem can be overcome to some degree by replacing the lost enzyme as an oral supplement.
However the intelligent question to ask is, ‘if your body is warning you against a food source which is not healthy for your body why would you choose to use a pill to bypass your body’s reaction?’
Dairy is one of the most commonly reported food allergies. Even when not seen as a specific allergy, milk is frequently not tolerated by the gastrointestinal tract. This is a problem that can extend beyond lactose intolerance. For many, milk can cause bloating, constipation and even reflux.
Clinically, milk may also be linked to increased eczema, worsening sinus problems, migraine headaches and joint pain. Milk is considered a mucus-producing food and is clinically thought to aggravate congestion. One Johns Hopkins physician, Dr. Frank Oski, has even written a book that shares his experiences of decreased rates of strep throat infection once children removed milk from their diets. Often, these conditions resolve or improve when milk is removed or eliminated from the diet. Often, these conditions resolve or improve when milk is removed or eliminated from the diet. My two sisters and I all suffered from respiratory congestion restricting our breathing until we changed our diet to plant base, which removed dairy and meat products from our eating habits. That change alone transformed our quality of life.
For those who wish to keep dairy in their diet, know that much of the “regular” milk on store shelves is far from healthy. Look for containers that clearly state that the cows used to produce the milk were not given any hormones or antibiotics. Even the term “organic” can be misleading. Organic milk may mean no hormones in one case and no antibiotics in another, or that the cows were fed organic grain. Note that large consumer companies such as Kroger and Starbucks are offering hormone-free dairy products.
You should also choose milk from grass-fed cows. Cattle rely on an internal system that is uniquely adapted to the processing of grasses as their major food source. Other types of food, such as corn, will fatten up the cow and make them less healthy. This carries over to both the meat and the milk. Cows fed exclusively grass will themselves be healthier and produce healthier milk.
Another growing trend in nutrition is a return to raw milk, which has not been pasteurized. Clearly, the source of any raw milk product will have a direct effect on its quality. Take the time to understand what safeguards have been made at that particular dairy to keep the facility clean and the cows as healthy as possible. States vary on the legality of raw milk products, and those interested should investigate what is available in their state.
Listen to what your body is telling you about milk consumption, and always respect the answer that is given.
