Milk has been deemed an essential food in American society. They claim you need to regularly consume milk and dairy products in order to get calcium to maintain strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. The kicker...that is completely false information. So, the truth....
1. We need the enzyme lactase to digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy. Between the ages of 18 months and 4 years, we lose 90 to 95 percent of this enzyme. The undigested lactose and acidic nature of pasteurized milk encourage the growth of bacteria in our intestines. This acidic environment encourages the growth of cancer cells, as they thrive in an acidic environment.
2. Dairy products also produce a considerable amount of mucus. Our bodies often respond to all of this mucus by developing a cold or allergies to fight the dairy invasion.
3. But what about osteoporosis? Researchers at top universities (Yale, Harvard, Penn State and the National Institutes of Health) have all studied how milk and dairy intake effects our bones. None of these studies found dairy to be a deterrent to osteoporosis.
4. One study funded by the National Dairy Council revealed that the high protein content in dairy products actually leaches calcium from our bones. The acidic conditions milk creates in us makes our bodies pull the alkaline calcium out of our bones to neutralize the acid, leaving us with a net calcium deficit.
5. Researchers at Yale found that the countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis (U.S., Sweden and Finland) are also those whose people consume the greatest quantities of meat, milk, and other animal proteins.
6. Dairy products are full of saturated fat and cholesterol. That being said, heart disease kills more people than all other causes of death combined in the U.S.
6. Finally, dairy has been linked to a slew of health problems. Included are; acne, anemia, anxiety, arthritis, ADD, ADHD, fibromyalgia, headaches, heartburn, indigestion, IBS, joint pain, osteoporosis, poor immune function, allergies, ear infections, colic, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, autism, Crohn's disease, breast and prostate cancers and ovarian cancer.
Why, then, is dairy marketed as being healthy?
Money and politics!
The milk industry has a $19 billion/year profit margin. This money enables the milk industry to solicit a lot of support from the USDA.
There is great conflict of interest when it comes to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines and Food Pyramid. In 1998, a lawsuit was pursued against the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services. The lawsuit claimed that the USDA violated federal laws when they selected 6 of 11 people with financial ties to the various food industries to serve on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. These affiliations involved people from the American Meat Institute, National Dairy Council, the American Egg Board, Dannon Company and Nestle (to name a few).
The Johnson and Johnson company reported that lactose intolerance affects over 50 percent of the Hispanic American population, 75 percent of Native Americans, 80 percent of African Americans and 90 percent of Asian Americans. The real question, why is Johnson and Johnson so concerned with lactose intolerance? So they can ensure their marketing campaigns will focus on encouraging these people to buy Lactaid. Lactaid is a product they make that supposedly aids in the digestion of dairy. What the body denies, we can overcome?
You may say, but it tastes so good! Start by making small steps to slowly decrease the amount of dairy you consume on a daily basis. If I can do it (a once self-proclaimed cheese addict), so can you! Detox, detox, detox.
The true source of Calcium:
Why do cows have so much calcium in their milk? Because they are eating the plant-based foods that contain the calcium, which is then stored in their milk supply. So, by eating a diet rich in whole foods such as green leafy veggies (broccoli, kale, spinach), whole grains and citrus you will get all the calcium you need.
Dairy alternatives:
Almond and Hemp milk: available is regular, vanilla, chocolate and sometimes strawberry (organic is best)
Soy Milk: available in all traditional milk flavors (organic is best)
Purely Decadent Coconut milk ice cream and yogurt (delicious)
Stonyfield Farms Organic Soy yogurt - I love this stuff!
Earth Balance - all natural butter alternative (made of a mixture of non-hydrogenated vegetable oils)
Vegenaise - mayo replacement...you will never know the difference.
Healthful toppings such as salsa, hummus, avocado and guacamole are great and healthy alternatives to top mexican dishes, use as snacks and as sandwich spreads.
Happy eating:)
References: The Balanced Plate, Skinny Bitch, Raw Food Real World
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