19 July 2013

Milk - FACTS


It's a general belief - a misbelief - that you should drink milk, because it's good for your bones and teeth cos of the calcium and it's very healthy to drink a glass of milk every day.... Now I tell you something. It's bullshit! Why?

It is easy to understand that the confusion about milk’s imaginary benefits stems from the fact that it contains calcium – around 300 mg per cup. But many scientific studies have shown an assortment of detrimental health effects directly linked to milk consumption. And the most surprising link is that not only do we barely absorb the calcium in cow’s milk (especially if pasteurized), but to make matters worse, it actually increases calcium loss from the bones. Here’s how it happens. Like all animal protein, milk acidifies the body pH which in turn triggers a biological correction. You see, calcium is an excellent acid neutralizer and the biggest storage of calcium in the body is in the bones. So the very same calcium that our bones need to stay strong is utilized to neutralize the acidifying effect of milk. Once calcium is pulled out of the bones, it leaves the body via the urine, so that the surprising net result after this is an actual calcium deficit.


Thanks to our creative ingenuity and perhaps related to our ancient survival needs, we adopted the dubious habit of drinking another species’ milk. Nobody can dispute that cow’s milk is an excellent food source for calves. But unlike humans, once calves are weaned, they never drink milk again. And the same applies to every mammalian species on this planet. Also, each mammalian species has its own “designer” milk, and cow’s milk is no exception. For example, cow’s milk contains on average three times the amount of protein than human milk which creates metabolic disturbances in humans that have detrimental bone health consequences. It’s important to bear in mind that mother’s milk is excellent nourishment for human babies, but its composition is very different from cow’s milk.

Until the end of the 19th century in Europe and the beginning of the 20th century in the US, milk was consumed unpasteurized or raw. Later on, homogenization became the industry’s standard. These processes further alter milk’s chemistry and actually increase its detrimental acidifying effects.



Nowadays, milking cows are given antibiotics and most are also injected with a genetically engineered form of bovine growth hormone (rBGH). A man-made or synthetic hormone used to artificially increase milk production, rBGH also increases blood levels of the insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in those who drink it. And higher levels of IGF-1 are linked to several cancers.



Lactose intolerance isn't the only problem with milk and milk products. The milk protein, casein, can irritate the immune system and stimulate mucus production, worsening allergy symptoms. This is why milk consumption is associated with recurrent childhood ear infections, eczema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and sinus conditions. Even those who are not allergic to milk, like people who have autoimmune diseases or digestive problems, may find that their symptoms improve when they eliminate milk and milk products.


How are cows on dairy farms abused?

I was shocked to learn that cows on dairy farms are repeatedly impregnated using artificial insemination. Their babies are torn away from them at birth, with male calves destined to become veal or beef and female calves destined to suffer the same fate as their mothers. These cows are then genetically manipulated to produce about 10 times as much milk as they would naturally, spending their lives constantly bloated and in pain. And cows on organic farms can suffer even more because when the animals' udders become infected, many farmers will not administer medicine, as that would prevent them from labeling the cows' milk as organic. On average, cows on dairy farms live for about four or five years, whereas under less stressful conditions, they would live for approximately 25 years! Stress and fear plague these cows on a daily basis, and it's no wonder that at the end of their short lives, they are completely spent and often lame.
 
See some pictures where your milk comes from:


IT'S A MYTH THAT YOU NEED MILK! YOU DON'T NEED MILK!
Human beings are not designed to drink any milk except human milk (only during infancy, of course).


What to drink instead of cow's milk?
1. Nuts milk, like cashew milk, almond milk
2. Soy milk
3. Rice milk
4. Coconut milk
5. Oat milk
6. Hemp seed milk

Soy Milk is High in Protein: Soymilk is highest in protein. It’s the only one that’s comparable to cow’s milk, providing between 8 and 11 grams of protein per cup. Soy protein also has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels and may also help keep your bones strong.  - See more at: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/which-non-dairy-milk-best?page=all#sthash.Er7Y9OzN.dpuf
Soy Milk is High in Protein: Soymilk is highest in protein. It’s the only one that’s comparable to cow’s milk, providing between 8 and 11 grams of protein per cup. Soy protein also has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels and may also help keep your bones strong.  - See more at: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/which-non-dairy-milk-best?page=all#sthash.Er7Y9OzN.dpuf


Soy milk is high in protein: Soymilk is highest in protein. It’s the only one that’s comparable to cow’s milk, providing between 8 and 11 grams of protein per cup. Soy protein also has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels and may also help keep your bones strong. 

Hemp milk is a good source of Omega-3 fats: Hemp milk is a relative new-comer on the alterna-milk scene. Its big claim to fame is that it is an excellent source of omega-3 fats. A single serving of hemp milk provides an entire day’s recommended intake of omega-3 fats. That’s about four times as much as you’d get in soy milk and six times as much as you’d get from cow’s milk. It’s not terribly high in protein, however.                 

Almond milk is lower in calories: If you’re counting calories, almond milk tends to be quite a bit lower in calories and sugar than most of the other non-dairy milks. It also contains monounsaturated fats, which are the same heart-healthy fats found in olive oil. Almond milk is fairly low in protein. 

Oat milk provides fiber: Oat milk offers fiber as well as a moderate amount of protein, about 4 grams per serving. However, it is on the higher end in terms of sugar and calories.

Rice milk is non-allergenic: Rice milk is one you’re least likely to be allergic to.  However, it’s the lowest in protein and tends to be higher in sugar and calories.

Calcium rich foods:

Dark Leafy Greens (Watercress)
Chinese Cabbage (Pak Choi, Bok Choy)
Okra
Tofu
Broccoli
Green Snap Beans
Almonds
Garlic
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Spinach (Raw)
Collard Greens (Cooked)
Kale (Raw)
Sesame seeds
Celery
Orange
Blackberries
Dried apricots
Dates
        
Soy Milk is High in Protein: Soymilk is highest in protein. It’s the only one that’s comparable to cow’s milk, providing between 8 and 11 grams of protein per cup. Soy protein also has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels and may also help keep your bones strong.  - See more at: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/which-non-dairy-milk-best?page=all#sthash.Er7Y9OzN.dpuf
Soy Milk is High in Protein: Soymilk is highest in protein. It’s the only one that’s comparable to cow’s milk, providing between 8 and 11 grams of protein per cup. Soy protein also has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels and may also help keep your bones strong.  - See more at: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/which-non-dairy-milk-best?page=all#sthash.Er7Y9OzN.dpuf



  • Nut milks, such as cashew milk or almond milk
  • Rice milk
  • Coconut milk
  • Oat milk
  • - See more at: http://peakofwellbeing.com/what-can-i-drink-instead-of-cows-milk/#sthash.3Esu8gQ4.dpuf



  • Nut milks, such as cashew milk or almond milk
  • Rice milk
  • Coconut milk
  • Oat milk
  • - See more at: http://peakofwellbeing.com/what-can-i-drink-instead-of-cows-milk/#sthash.3Esu8gQ4.dpuf