Milk, Does it Do a Body Good? A Tale of Two Milks, Part I
There are few better subjects than milk and all things dairy that should—at a minimum—get you questioning your bias. Few subjects are more controversial. The dairy industry boasts that “milk does a body good,” while health gurus around the globe continually accuse dairy of being the root of all evil. Who’s right and who’s wrong? They both are!
Why are so many health gurus saying that dairy is harmful? It’s because the dairy that most of us consume is harmful—it’s not real dairy. Here is a great example of principle #1. Dairy is a food that has been tampered with, not because of some sinister conspiracy to harm the general population, but generally by well-intended people who understood that if they homogenized and pasteurized milk to death (literally—pasteurization kills nearly all bad and good biotics in milk), then milk could safely and economically be produced for the masses. This is a classic case of how technology created a problem in its attempt to solve a problem. Principle #2
Conventional, Pasteurized, Homogenized Milk
Pasteurization kills, denatures or reduces the nutrients in milk. Why do you suppose that vitamins A and D are added back into milk? And why is it that although people in the U.S. consume more dairy than any other country, we have calcium deficiencies in epidemic proportions? Pasteurized, homogenized milk often contains hormones, and antibiotics. The animals are fed an unnatural diet, in addition to a diet which includes genetically modified and pesticide laden foods. Animals are raised in unsanitary and unhealthy conditions-hence the need for pasteurization.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that pasteurized, homogenized, conventional dairy is linked with some of the following negative consequences: digestive issues, weight gain, heart disease, allergies, asthma, eczema, arthritis, constipation, inflammation and increased ear infections. People with health issues such as Crohns, Autism, and Celiac disease often see a benefit when they take dairy out of their diet. With the negative observed effects of conventional dairy, it seems logical to believe the health providers and gurus who are advocating that it be removed from our diet.
The observed negative consequences of consuming it are real and often very serious. But without taking a closer look, many people make a reasonable assumption that ALL dairy is bad and that is a serious mistake! Principle #5.
Organic, Raw Milk from Pastured Animals
While pasteurized, homogenized milk does have many negative effects, organic, raw milk from pastured animals could not be any more different! Raw milk supports a healthy immune system, a healthy heart, a healthy weight, good bone density and oral health. It helps build muscle and burn fat. It reduces inflammation, aids in detoxification, boosts resistance to viruses and unhealthy bacteria, aids in absorbing nutrients, provides neurological support, and is helpful for arthritis, acne, and constipation. It is a great source of minerals, particularly calcium and it contains all the necessary nutrients in their proper proportion to absorb and assimilate calcium. It has lactase needed to digest lactose, which is absent in pasteurized milk.
People with allergic type reactions can generally consume it without any ill effects, especially if it is A2 type milk. It also contains diverse and probiotic bacteria. Improvement in skin conditions, asthma and allergies are also often observed. While many health providers are noting the negative effects of commercial pasteurized and homogenized dairy and are understandably recommending at times that it be removed from our diet, other providers are recognizing the powerful benefits of organic, raw milk from pastured animals. Some providers are even treating health issues with organic, raw milk from pastured animals. Some athletes are recognizing the superior benefits of raw milk in building muscle, burning fat, providing energy and as a recovery drink.
If you are drinking pasteurized, homogenized milk: You need to realize that you are not getting the nutritional and health benefits that you might think you are. You may have noticed many people are reporting improvements from taking dairy out of their diet. There is a reason for this. Pasteurized milk is a dead, or “almost dead” food. And as such, it is not the best option for supporting our health. Because it’s nutrient profile has been changed, it not only lacks important nutrients in the proper balance, reducing it’s health benefits; it introduces dead material into our body. This causes stress on our body and even disease.
If drinking unpasteurized milk sounds unsafe: The safety of raw milk became a problem when farmers began to grow too big too fast, with animals fed unnatural diets and kept in unsanitary, and overcrowded conditions. Read my next post for more information on the safety of raw milk.
If you are NOT a milk drinker: We live in a culture that has serious deficiencies in many nutrients! We are seeing a myriad of health issues related to our deficiencies. Our western diets just don’t make up the difference by eating more of another food group, or by taking synthetic supplements which are not assimilated like a whole food would be.
Interestingly, these same deficiencies are also nutrients that organic, raw milk from pastured animals can offer. Organic, raw milk from pastured animals is the most nutrient dense food we have. It can address a vast number of health issues we are seeing today. Why then would we leave it out of our diet, when we know there is a healthy alternative to pasteurized, homogenized milk?
While it is claimed that there are other cultures who do not consume milk and are still healthy, it is also true that many of these same cultures consume a variety of foods that western diets do not. For example: organs, bugs, bones, bone broth etc. The fact is that we have almost epidemic nutritional deficiencies in our western culture and we can meet many of those needs with organic, raw milk from pastured animals.
If you are lactose or casein intolerant: Raw milk contains lactase which is absent in pasteurized milk. 85% of people who cannot drink pasteurized milk can drink raw milk. The other 15% may be sensitive to the casein proteins. It is interesting to note that the proteins in pasteurized milk have been denatured which makes them hard to process. However, the proteins in raw milk have not been altered. In addition, A2 type milk is **
If you think raw milk is too expensive: Consider that you will pay the cost one way or another, either in health issues, or supplements, medication and doctor visits to address the health issues. Unfortunately, these supplements are not assimilated in the same way that naturally bio-available nutrients are**. Organic, raw milk from pastured animals offers an astounding array of nutrients and they are all in the proper proportions and completely bio-available. In fact, it is the most nutrient dense food we have. Even when I pay double what I would pay for conventional pasteurized, homogenized milk, I think it is a bargain for what I am getting!
If you are drinking raw, organic milk from pastured animals: Good for you! Raw milk can address many of the health issues and deficiencies that we are seeing in our western culture today. Raw, organic milk from pastured A2 type animals, is a living and nearly perfect food. It is the best kind of medicine, so drink up!
Read more about the benefits of organic, raw milk from pastured animals as well as more information on pasteurized, homogenized milk in my next post.