MILK, Does A Body Good (Or Does It?)

When I was growing up, milk was a staple in my daily food supply. I would generally have a glass of milk at least three times a day. I was required to drink this because it was “good for me” and helped my bones and body grow and strengthen. Milk was considered an excellent source of protein and calcium. (It also went very nicely with cookies and cake!!)

Fifty six years later, I continue to hear this same mantra. Is it true, or has it been so indoctrinated into our thinking that its efficacy is assumed to be valid? Do the health benefits of cow’s milk outweigh the potential health risks?

UNDERSTANDING HEALTH BY APPLYING COMMON SENSE:

What is the function of milk? Humans and animals create this as a source of nutrition for newborns. The molecular structure of milk is specifically designed for each species including humans. As the gastrointestinal tract matures, mothers begin to wean their young and transition their diets to other food sources for long term growth and development. This “rule” is followed by ALL species except humans. Following the laws of common sense, why would we consider drinking milk beyond the weaning period a healthy practice let alone choosing the source of milk to come from another species (most commonly cows?) Calves thrive off this source, but do humans? The answer may surprise you.

OUR BELIEF SYSTEM:

There is no doubt that most people believe milk is important because it provides essential calcium to strengthen our bones and reduce the chances of fractures as we age. How surprised would you be if I told you that cow’s milk has been proven to increase the chances of fracture as we age? The mechanism to explain this is quite simple. Blood PH has a very narrow range for survival. It is between 7.35 and 7.45. Foods (in general) are either acidic (PH = 0-6.9) or alkaline (PH =7.1-14.) Protein found in processed milk (pasteurized and homogenized) is acidic.  If we do not provide our bodies with good sources of alkaline foods the blood PH levels become too acidic. With the PH range for survival so narrow, the body protects itself by taking calcium from within our bodies (specifically the bones and other organs) and uses it (an alkaline mineral) to bring the blood PH back within safety levels . Using calcium from the bones over time leads to osteopenia (early decrease in bone density) and ultimately osteoporosis (advanced loss of bone density.) Interestingly, statistics show that countries with the lowest consumption of dairy products overall have the lowest incidence of bone fractures. 

Amy Lanou Ph.D., nutrition director for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C., states that:

“The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis are the ones where people drink the most milk and have the most calcium in their diets. The connection between calcium consumption and bone health is actually very weak, and the connection between dairy consumption and bone health is almost nonexistent.”

 Milking cows are also injected with antibiotics and a genetically engineered synthetic growth hormone (known as rBGH {bovine growth hormone}) to increase milk production. When humans consume this milk it elevates a hormone in our bodies (known as IGF-1 {insulin growth factor}) that has been associated with increased risks for breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. These findings were published in the Harvard University Gazette (“Growth Factor Raises Cancer Risk,”) in April of 1999.

Does all this mean each and every person must give up all milk and dairy products to achieve good health? This would be unrealistic. Instead, why not consider reducing the quantity and frequency of milk consumption and other dairy products in favor of plant based products to help alkalize the body and strengthen the skeletal system? This, in turn, would likely reduce the risk of events that could lead to various diseases and other fatal outcomes.

Maybe we need to consider trading this milk mustache

With this vegetable and fruit smoothie mustache

To achieve better health.

Tags: alternatives, cancer, disease, health, lifestyle, osteoporosis, processed food