FEATURE: Are Dairy Products Making You Sick?

by Diane McLaren

How humans, cows and elephants all share one thing in common ... they are mammals.

According to milk and dairy (marketing) boards, human mammals, you and I, require a lot of dairy products like milk and cheese to build strong healthy bones.

Yet science clearly shows us that all normal mammals stop producing the enzymes needed to digest their baby food (mothers milk) once they are weaned!

Hummm...

In nature, the only mammal that drinks milk after it's weaned are humans, and then it is just a small contingent of western Caucasians.  The majority do not drink milk.

Have you ever wondered how the cows and elephants maintain their much larger bone structure and size? Probably not ... but it is certainly not by drinking another animal's milk! 

Cows normally eat foods such as leaves, grass, and other vegetable matter ... at least the happy organic cows do, unfortunately, the majority consume excessive, unnatural and manmade compounds to accelerate mass-production of cow milk!

"The dairy folks, ever since the 1920s, have been enormously successful in cultivating an environment within virtually all segments of our society-from research and education to public relations and politics-to have us believing that cow's milk and its products are manna from heaven. ... Make no mistake about it; the dairy industry has been virtually in total control of any and all public health information that ever rises to the level of public scrutiny." Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Professor, Cornell University

Symptoms Disappear In The Absence of Dairy Products

Did you know that a host of common health issues (symptoms) that plague us today tend to clear up when dairy is minimized or removed from the daily diet? 

• Asthma, allergies, strep throat, tonsillitis, ear infections, pimples, acne,
• Low energy, digestive problems (such as gas, diarrhea, bloating, cramps),
• Overweight, cardiovascular problems, hardening of the arteries,
• Calcification of the kidneys, bedwetting, mental retardation, female reproductive problems such as menstrual irregularities, menstrual cramps and heavy flow,
• Ovarian tumors and cysts, vaginal discharges and infections and swelling of the breasts.

Dr. Benjamin Spock, author of the world-famous book Baby and Child Care, wrote in 1998, "Cow's milk is not recommended for a child when he is sick-or when he is well, for that matter. Dairy products may cause more mucus complications and cause more discomfort with upper respiratory infections."

The Western Diet And Osteoporosis

Did you know that a diet high in refined carbohydrates, animal proteins, fats and processed foods - which is the typical North American diet - has been linked to a greater incidence of osteoporosis, bone fractures and other bone conditions ... why?

• Because such a diet is significantly inadequate in many nutrients
  
• Because it is excessively high in the mineral phosphorus
  
• Because large amounts of phosphorus antagonize calcium in the body, in effect pulling the calcium from our bones
  
• Milk and dairy products, the foods most often recommended for healthy bones are excessively high in phosphorus and may actually promote osteoporosis
  

In fact, the more dairy products consumed, the higher the rate of osteoporosis.  Bone problems and bone disease are virtually non-existent in those countries where dairy consumption is the lowest. 

"It is hard to turn on the television without hearing commercials suggesting that milk promotes strong bones. The commercials do not point out that only 30 percent of milk's calcium is absorbed by the body or that osteoporosis is common among milk drinkers. Nor do they help you correct the real causes of bone loss." Dr. Neal Barnard

Revealing Facts About Dairy Milk

Cow's milk has 3X more protein and almost 4X more calcium than human milk. This is good for the calf who will grow to be much larger than a human, but is it good for us?

• For humans, it is essential to understand that the ratio of calcium to phosphorus is important to the efficient absorption of calcium. When the ratio of phosphorus is too high, it prevents calcium absorption and actually leaches calcium from the body. The minimum recommended is 2:1, human is 2.3:1 and cows 1.2:1
• While protein and calcium are our building blocks, when we ingest more than we can absorb, the result is waste matter.  Over time, this excess waste puts stress on the liver, intestines, lungs, kidneys and skin thus weakening them. 
• The excess matter that cannot be efficiently excreted remains in the body and turns into mucus, pus, creating a medium for bacteria, parasites and Candida.  
• Other points to consider is that while the fat content of both milks are similar, cows milk has 48% less natural carbohydrates and almost 300% more sodium
• Pasteurization reduces Vitamin C by 50% and Homogenization breaks up milk molecules into smaller pieces to pass through intestinal wall unchanged by digestive process.
• An enzyme called xanthine oxylase or XO found in milk fat which breaks down protein, also passes through the intestinal walls.  As it travels along the bloodstream, it scratches and corrodes the arterial walls, causing lesions. As a defense against this, the body deposits fibrin and cholesterol over lesions to avoid further damage.

The bottom line is a food high in calcium is simply not enough.  Beyond the calcium to phosphorus ratio that aids in calcium absorption, many other naturally occurring nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin D are needed to build strong bones.

Where Can I Get My Calcium If Not from Dairy

Whenever it is suggested that milk and dairy products be avoided, there is always the inevitable question:  "And where will I get my calcium?" 

The first step is to consider a sound alternative to dairy and there are many great foods that contain calcium in a natural, easy-to-assimilate form:

• Beans, nuts, sesame seeds and tahini
• sea vegetables (kelp, kombu, wakame
• Greens - especially broccoli, alfalfa sprouts, bok choy, collards, kale, mustard and turnip tops, parsley, watercress, dandelion
• Parsnips, rutabaga, turnips, etc.

Be Aware Of Foods That Affect Calcium Absorption

There are also some foods that affect negatively our calcium balance in some way.  It is better to avoid them or eat them in small quantities: 

• concentrated sugars, high-protein foods
• nightshades like potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, tobacco
• citrus, wine, vinegar, coffee, alcohol, salt, soda pop and  milk and dairy products.

Nutritional Supplementation For Strong Bones

For many people, it makes sense to take a calcium supplement because they are not able to eat good calcium-rich foods on a daily basis and/or they cannot stay totally away from the items that affect their calcium balance negatively. 

For a calcium supplement to be effective, it has to be well-balanced and contain all the necessary nutrients for the body to assimilate it efficiently and utilize it properly.  I always prefer a well-balanced herbal or natural food-base supplement for even higher assimilation and utilization. 

Dherbs Products For Strong Bones

1. Calcium Phosphate
2. Calcium Extract
3. Electric Greens Cell Food
4. Moringa Extract
5. Hair Skin Nails Formula

Article written by: Diane McLaren
Holistic Health Practitioner, Wellness Coach, Trainer and Author specialized in Iridology, Reflexology, Nutrition, Herbal Medicines and Natural Healing since 1994.