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Science Forum Index » Agriculture - Poultry Forum » The facts about milk
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| Old Codger |
 Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:19 am |
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The facts about milk
http://tinyurl.com/25uohh
Many people are reluctant to give up milk as it has always been
promoted as a wholesome, healthy drink, rich in calcium for strong
bones. This is the milk myth and what those profiting from the sales
of dairy products would like you to believe. Dairy products are
absolutely not essential for optimum fitness.
The Milk Myth
A substantial body of scientific evidence shows the link between bone
health and dairy product consumption is weak. In fact to build strong
bones and healthy bodies, children need exercise, sunshine, and a diet
rich in fruits and vegetables (1). There is no nutritional requirement
for dairy products, in fact there are serious problems that can result
from the proteins, sugar and fat in milk products. Milk contains
significant amounts of saturated fat, as well as cholesterol, which
can lead to obesity and contribute to heart disease and certain forms
of cancer. Although we do need a certain amount of fat in our diets,
saturated fat is the wrong kind, and cows' milk is low in the good
essential fatty acids that we do need.
Calcium And Osteoporosis
Most of our body's calcium is in our bones. The small amount in our
bloodstream plays an important role in functions such as muscle
contraction and maintenance of the heartbeat. Bloodstream calcium is
constantly being lost through urine, sweat and faeces. Replacement
comes from the bones, which depend on fresh supplies from the food we
eat. Diets rich in animal protein, such as that found in cows' milk,
make the blood more acidic. The body tries to neutralise this by
drawing calcium from the bones into the bloodstream, which is filtered
through the kidneys and lost through urine. The more dairy products
consumed, the more calcium the body needs to balance the losses.
Contrary to what most people think - because it is what they are told
by the dairy industry - eating excessive amounts of dairy products can
therefore contribute to weak bones and osteoporosis. Countries whose
populations eat low-protein diets (i.e a low level of dairy products)
have lower rates of osteoporosis and hip fractures (2).
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk. About 75% of the world's
population is lactose intolerant - unable to digest lactose - causing
gastrointestinal symptoms of flatulence, bloating, cramps and
diarrhoea in some individuals. This is due to a shortage of enzymes
that break down the lactose into its simpler forms - glucose and
galactose. Studies have shown that lactose intolerance is common among
those whose ancestry is African, Asian, Native American, Arab, Jewish,
Hispanic, Italian, or Greek. As we age, many of us lose the active
enzymes. But people suffering from digestive problems often overlook
dairy products as the cause of their ills, because milk has for so
long been touted as a healthy, wholesome, natural product.
Allergies
Consuming dairy products has also been linked to a number of allergies
such as asthma, eczema and wheezing, especially in childhood.
Naturally, the best beverage for infants and small toddlers is
mother's breast milk. Even after the first year, food allergies to
milk and milk products are common. Many children and teens with
irritable bowel syndrome, autism, asthma, and allergies improve when
they stop drinking cows' milk
Colic
One out of every five babies suffers from colic. Pediatricians have
learnt that cows' milk consumption is often the reason. Even
breastfeeding mothers can have colicky babies if the mothers are
consuming cows' milk, as the cows' antibodies are passed through the
mother's bloodstream into her breastmilk (3).
Research has shown that children fed on formula (dairy) milk are more
likely to become obese than breastfed children. What's more,
formula-fed children are at greater risk from respiratory disease,
diabetes, allergies, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis. It's been
estimated that if all children were breastfed the NHS would save
around £35 million each year in treating infant gastroenteritis alone.
How much more money - and heartache - would be saved treating adults
for cardiac problems caused by obesity and high blood pressure as
well?' National Childbirth Trust, February 2001.
Iron Deficiency
Cows' milk is very low in iron. Dairy-rich diets can lead to iron
deficiency (4) because cows' milk is poorly absorbed into the body and
actually inhibits iron absorption from other foods.
Diabetes
Studies in various countries have shown a strong link between the use
of dairy products and the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes (5).
In 1992 researchers (6) found that a specific dairy protein sparks an
auto-immune reaction, which is believed to be what destroys the
insulin producing cells of the pancreas.
Crohn's Disease
Research has linked the intestinal disorder Crohn's disease - that
causes fever, diarrhoea and pain after eating - with Johne's disease
in dairy cows. The bacterium in cows interferes with their digestion,
lowers milk production, and eventually kills those infected. This same
bacterium has been found in the gut of humans suffering from Crohn's
disease.
Dairy Products And The Link To Cancer
Galactose has been implicated in ovarian cancer (7). Galactose needs
to be broken down further by enzymes and when dairy product
consumption exceeds the enzymes' capacity to break down galactose, it
can build up in the blood and may affect a woman's ovaries. Breast and
prostate cancers have also been linked to consumption of dairy
products, related to increases in insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
( . IGF-1 is a growth hormone that is identical in cows and humans.
In cattle, It helps calves develop rapidly into stocky adult animals.
It is a powerful hormone that stimulates the growth of malignant cells
and has been identified as a key factor in the growth of human cancer.
People drinking milk have increased levels of IGF-I in their bodies.
Plant Sources Of Calcium
On a balanced vegan diet there is no risk of calcium or protein
deficiency. Good sources of calcium include; baked beans, nuts, seeds,
green leafy vegetables including kale, broccoli and brussel sprouts,
tofu, dried fruit and fortified soya milks such as Alpro/Provamil,
Plamil and Granovita (supermarkets also sell their own brands) and
breakfast cereals. To ensure your diet doesn't contain too much
protein, replace animal protein with tofu, rice, wholegrains,
vegetables, peas, beans and lentils.
References
Amy Joy Lanou, Susan E. Berkow, and Neal D. Barnard. Calcium, Dairy
Products, and Bone Health in Children and Young Adults: A Reevaluation
of the Evidence. Pediatrics, 2005; 115: 736 - 743.
Hegsted DM. Calcium and osteoporosis. J Nutr 1986; 116: 2316-9.
Clyne P. S, Kulczycki A. Human breast milk contains bovine IgG.
Relationship to infant colic? Pediatrics 1991; 87 (4): 439-44.
Pennington JAT. Bowes and Churches food values of portions commonly
used, 17th ed. New York: Lippincott, 1998.
Scott FW. Cow milk and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: is there a
relationship? Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 51: 489-91.
Karjalainen J, Martin JM, Knip M, et al. A bovine albumin peptide as a
possible trigger of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med
1992; 327: 302-7.
Cramer DW, Willett WC, Bell DA, et al. Galactose consumption and
metabolism in relation to the risk of ovarian cancer. Lamcet 1989; 2:
66-71.
Outwater JL, Nicholson A, Barnard N. Dairy products and breast cancer:
the IGF-1. estrogen, and bGH hypothesis 1997; 48: 453-61. |
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