Dairy

[>jim<]

Modern dairy is the subject of some good controversy, and for good reason. Modern agricultural practice has led to a steady downward spiral in the quality of milk - starting with a lack of time in the pasture, continuing right on through growth hormones and antibiotics. Chemicals in feed build up in milk, and frightening levels of cancer-causing compounds such as dioxins are now found in dairy products. I could reference studies myself, but it seems some others have done the legwork for me.

Let's look at the scientific literature first. From 1988 to 1993 there were over 2,700 articles dealing with milk
recorded in the 'Medicine' archives. Fifteen hundred of theses had milk as the main focus of the article. There is
no lack of scientific information on this subject. I reviewed over 500 of the 1,500 articles, discarding articles
that dealt exclusively with animals, esoteric research and inconclusive studies.

How would I summarize the articles? They were only slightly less than horrifying. First of all, none of the authors spoke of cow's milk as an excellent food, free of side effects and the 'perfect food' as we have been led to believe by the industry. The main focus of the published reports seems to be on intestinal colic, intestinal irritation, intestinal bleeding, anemia, allergic reactions in infants and children as well as infections such as salmonella. More ominous is the fear of viral infection with bovine leukemia virus or an AIDS-like virus as well as concern for childhood diabetes. Contamination of milk by blood and white (pus) cells as well as a variety of chemicals and insecticides was also discussed. Among children the problems were allergy, ear and tonsillar infections, bedwetting, asthma, intestinal bleeding, colic and childhood diabetes. In adults the problems seemed centered more around heart disease and arthritis, allergy, sinusitis, and the more serious questions of leukemia, lymphoma and cancer.

In short, risks of milk intake
-intestinal colic
-intestinal irritation
-intestinal bleeding
-anemia
-allergic reactions
-bacterial contamination
-viral contamination
-diabetes
-heart disease
-arthritis
-cancer

Most of this can be attributed to the composition of factory farm milk, as it today contains herbicides, pesticides, dioxins, antibiotics, hormones, blood and pus. Yum!

On another note though - whole, natural milk from a healthy cow is still a real treat, and I wish I could get it

[WeatherWoman]

The use of artificial growth hormones or hormones to increase lactation (RBST, BST, RGBH or any other artificial growth hormone) are illegal in Canada.

The Canadian Government and DFO would take any violation of the regulations regarding the purity of milk very seriously, and there would be a very serious penalty if any farmer, organic or not, violated the required guidelines. It is a serious offense to sell milk with antibiotics in Canada and the farmer could lose their license for doing so.

It is an Agriculture Canada milk producer guideline that all cows have access to pasture and fresh air. Many dairy cows are free ranging.

The importance of calcium
During adolescence, kids grow faster than at any time except infancy; in fact, half of their growth occurs in this period. They need calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, to help build strong, healthy bones. A calcium deficit during childhood and adolescence might never be fully overcome in later years. Reducing or eliminating milk products during this all-important growth spurt could mean that your child will fail to reach her growth potential and may contribute to her developing osteoporosis in later life

http://www.canadianliving.com/moms/teen ... eens_2.php

[>jim<]

The use of artificial growth hormones or hormones to increase lactation (RBST, BST, RGBH or any other artificial growth hormone) are illegal in Canada.

They have been since 1998, but American dairy products are still present in many products for sale here in Canada. Only fresh milk produced here is protected by Canadian regulatory agencies.

The Canadian Government and DFO would take any violation of the regulations regarding the purity of milk very seriously, and there would be a very serious penalty if any farmer, organic or not, violated the required guidelines. It is a serious offense to sell milk with antibiotics in Canada and the farmer could lose their license for doing so.

Regulatory agencies determine an "Acceptable Daily Intake" value, and test occasionally to ensure compliance. It's not unusual though, for a regulatory body to indicate that a level of exposure is "safe," but may still cause significant complications to human physiology. This doesn't mean these residues are absent, it just means they are below the level the government suggests is "safe." http://www.uoguelph.ca/foodsafetynetwor ... adian-milk

Chronic exposure to low levels of antibiotics destroys the balance of beneficial bacteria in the body, leading to fun things like yeast infections and bowel problems.

It is an Agriculture Canada milk producer guideline that all cows have access to pasture and fresh air. Many dairy cows are free ranging.

"While sometimes permitted to range in open pasture, dairy cows still spend most of their lives chained by the neck in milk stalls, reduced to lethargic milking machines. Even Ottawa's Experimental Farm, known for relatively "humane" standards, says its dairy cows are chained by the neck 23 hours a day during winter months." - http://veg.ca/content/view/62/101/

"...cows are tied into individual pens in which they are fed and milked by portable milking machines. They are unable to interact socially with other cows, groom or move freely. Even the simple act of lying down can be problematic." - http://www.humanefood.ca/pdf%20links/Dairyfacts.pdf

"Dairy cows are subjected to terrible abuse in the Canadian agribusiness system. They are often chained in stalls for their entire lives where they are fed and milked by machines and where even lying down can be problematic." - http://www.chooseveg.ca/animal-cruelty-canada.asp

If you really think the big agro factory farm cows are going to be consuming a healthful diet from the pasture, mooing under the clear blue sky and dancing happily as they get milked...

The importance of calcium
During adolescence, kids grow faster than at any time except infancy; in fact, half of their growth occurs in this period. They need calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, to help build strong, healthy bones. A calcium deficit during childhood and adolescence might never be fully overcome in later years. Reducing or eliminating milk products during this all-important growth spurt could mean that your child will fail to reach her growth potential and may contribute to her developing osteoporosis in later life

"There are many forms of calcium supplements available. However, in order to be effective, calcium must be properly absorbed by the body. Look for chelated forms of calcium (calcium citrate, calcium lactate, or calcium gluconate) because it is the easiest form for most people to absorb." ... "Since magnesium works closely with calcium, it is important to have an appropriate ratio of both minerals in order for them to be effective. A good rule of thumb is a 2:1 calcium-to-magnesium ratio. For example, if you take 1000mg of calcium, you should also take 500mg of magnesium." - http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions ... -magnesium

"An underlying metabolic acidity is a common denominator among — and a likely contributing factor to — all degenerative and autoimmune diseases. An acid condition has several adverse effects on cell metabolism, including impaired energy production, fluid accumulation and edema, and a likely increase in free radical production. Interesting enough, kidney specialists working with acid-base balance now recognize that most Americans, as they age, live in chronic, low–grade metabolic acidosis. This condition contributes to a series of health problems, including loss of bone mineral, loss of muscle mass, a reduction in growth hormone, and the development of kidney stones." - http://www.betterbones.com/alkalinebalance/default.aspx

People are not generally short on calcium, rather they are short on magnesium. Similarly, it's generally not that people need more minerals to build up their bones - it's that they need a more alkaline environment to prevent bone demineralization. The pH of milk? "Cow's milk has a pH ranging from 6.4 to 6.8, making it slightly acidic." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk

[Captain Awesome]

I don't think there's anything wrong with drinking milk. Now, drinking what passes for milk in Canada - that's another story...

[WeatherWoman]

calcium lactate
Calcium lactate is a white crystalline salt made by the action of lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid

You recommend this but it's made with lactic acid found in MILK.

Calcium gluconate side effects include nausea, constipation, stomach upset. Extravasation of calcium gluconate can lead to cellulitis. It is also reported that this form of calcium increases renal plasma flow, diuresis, natriuresis, [4] [5] glomerular filtration rate,[6] and prostaglandin E2 and F1-alpha levels.[7]

Rapid intravenous injections of calcium gluconate may cause vasodilation, cardiac arrhythmias, decreased blood pressure, and bradycardia. Intramuscular injections may lead to local necrosis and abscess formation.[8]

I think I will continue to get my calcium from natural sources instead in pills.

[>jim<]

You recommend this but it's made with lactic acid found in MILK.

I emboldened the relevant portion. I don't give a hoot about calcium intake, and have never considered supplementing for it. I'm pretty sure they are suggesting those things, IF you feel the need to supplement.

I think I will continue to get my calcium from natural sources instead in pills.

Good, good. Consider though, that due to it's mildly acidic nature, dairy seems to be not an optimal source. Increased dairy intake is linked with increased osteoporosis rates. Broccoli, kale and spinach are common recommendations, and are all quite strongly alkaline. I've never worried, because I eat dark leafy greens by the pound. I also smash up my bones against steel, aluminum and concrete, deliberately grind them with rolling pins or steel cylinders for martial arts, and jump down from high places for fun and exercise. Haven't broken one yet.

[WeatherWoman]

removed - Jennylives

[Roadster]

Mmmmm, cow pus! Yummy!

[WeatherWoman]

Mmmmm, cow pus! Yummy!

Don't be silly. The cows are all drunk on antibiotics, theres no pus.

Seriously, just drink organic milk.

[>jim<]

removed - Jennylives

[grammafreddy]

I also smash up my bones against steel, aluminum and concrete, deliberately grind them with rolling pins or steel cylinders for martial arts, and jump down from high places for fun and exercise. Haven't broken one yet.

You abuse your body like that and you're worried about drinking milk?

oookay.

[Nom_de_Plume]

I also smash up my bones against steel, aluminum and concrete, deliberately grind them with rolling pins or steel cylinders for martial arts, and jump down from high places for fun and exercise. Haven't broken one yet.

You abuse your body like that and you're worried about drinking milk?

oookay.

That's kinda what I was thinking gf, especially the "deliberately grind them with rolling pins" part.

but whatever, the problem with this type of generic advice about what people should eat is that there is an element that is being overlooked by offering it.

Everyone is slightly different, what works for one person or even 100 doesn't necessarily work for everyone.
Anecdotal evidence is not fact, so it's awesome when someone has found a system that works for them, but using it as a blanket statement and touting it as a fact that applies to all people is unwise.

[fluffy]

Too ture Nom, and too many folks are willing to jump on the "latest superfood" bandwagon too. I think it's decent advice for anyone to shy away from highly processed foods, and have the bulk of their diet come from plant-based sources, but once past generalities like that there are custom fits for everyone. What's good for one can be poison for another.

[>jim<]

It may seem a bit zany, but the things I do with my body are known to build durability and strength, not cause deterioration. That's the general philosophy behind weightlifting and most exercise; use it well, stress it out, then heal it up and give it the right things and it builds up stronger. Ingesting things that are known to cause long-term issues is a completely different ball game... I wouldn't be chowing a low level of dioxins or mercury to build up a tolerance, because it doesn't work that way ^_^

Nom and fluffy, I guess the point is that although people may have all kinds of differences, today's milk will bring any body down, slowly or quickly depending on the person. There is no healthy level of chronic exposure to antibiotics or pesticides - the more you can avoid, the better - doesn't matter who you are. Similarly, whoever you are, milk will definitely thicken up your lymphatic system, cause a blood sugar spike/crash, stimulate mild intestinal inflammation and a mild allergenic response - we stop drinking mom's milk around the time our immune system is fully developed, and no human has 4 stomachs like a cow.

[Nom_de_Plume]

- we stop drinking mom's milk around the time our immune system is fully developed, and no human has 4 stomachs like a cow.

If you believe that, why did you say this....

On another note though - whole, natural milk from a healthy cow is still a real treat, and I wish I could get it

also the "mother's milk" stage of ones immune development is the beginning portion, not the end. A 1 year old child only has about 15% of the immunoglobulin A levels in an adult.
your immune system develops for most of your life.
Links or it's just an opinion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system#Adaptive_immune_system
http://www.milton-tm.com/frequently_asked_questions.html#10