Does dairy really do our bodies good?

We’ve all seen the ads, you know, the ones with the famous white mustache?  These ads continuously tell us that we need milk in order to “do our body good” and to keep our bones strong and healthy.  

Does milk really do all that it says?  The bigger question at hand is, is it really doing our body any good?

More and more research is coming to light telling us that the exact opposite is true.  In fact, the actual recommendation by the USDA to consume milk regularly is not based on science at all, according to Dr. Hyman, who is passionate on the subject.  There is a lot of money behind those creating our food pyramid and many of those are an integral part of the dairy industry itself.

Cow’s milk does in fact contain calcium.  We need calcium (and Vitamin D!) for bone health and to reduce our risk for osteoporosis.  There is no argument there.  However, our bodies are unable to properly absorb this calcium!  In order to absorb what we need, we also need magnesium present.  With such a small amount of magnesium found in dairy products, our bodies are only absorbing about 25% of the calcium present!

Ingesting cow’s milk also triggers an acidic response in the body.  When the body becomes too acidic, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to illness and disease. In order to create balance to the pH in our bodies, calcium is then released from our bones.  This tells us that the consumption of dairy can actually contribute to a calcium deficiency!

This is perhaps why countries with the highest incidences of osteoporosis are those with the highest levels of dairy consumption, as found in The China Study.  There are many resources that cite the difference between traditional cow’s milk and raw milk products and the benefits of the latter. This is an entirely different topic and one that we will cover soon!

For now, our focus is on the effects cow’s milk and dairy products may be having on your health and how you can get adequate vitamins and minerals without such products.

75% of the world population is unable to properly digest dairy products.

Signs that you may be lactose intolerant can be IBS, gas, bloating or general digestive discomfort, allergies, ear infections, acne and a weakened immune system.

There are many other ways to contribute to the strength and health of our bones.  Regular exercise, and consumption of Vitamin D and Calcium are crucial to build bone strength.

Food high in calcium include legumes, dark leafy greens (kale, collards, bok choy, broccoli), sesame seeds (tahini is great!), sardines, salmon, almonds and sea vegetables.

While your views on dairy aren’t likely to change overnight, we do hope that this information has given you pause and the chance to stop and think what dairy might really be doing to your body.

We challenge you to eliminate dairy for 1-2 weeks and to observe your body’s reactions.  Increase your consumption of the foods listed above and add non-dairy milks, such as, almond, cashew or hemp, into your daily rotation.

Are you up for the challenge?