This article was at first a comment. Thanks, Matilda B. Emphasis added by me. - Editor
Dairy has been reported to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer in numerous studies. Billions of people throughout the world do not consume excess dairy after weaning and have strong bones, and Westerners eating large amounts of dairy and calcium supplements are not less likely to develop osteoporosis. Plus, dairy products can be high in saturated fat as well as retinol (vitamin A), which at high levels can paradoxically weaken bones.
Eating less saturated fat, found in meat and regular dairy products like whole milk and cheese, can help control high cholesterol. Low- or no-fat dairy products are better sources of calcium and protein.
Plus, critics say, cow’s milk is designed for, well, calves.
Although the calcium and protein in milk are important nutrients, proof that dairy sources of calcium are required for strong bones is weak. Populations that eat little or no dairy do not have higher rates of osteoporosis. A low-fat vegetarian diet that eliminates dairy products, in combination with exercise, smoking cessation, and stress management, can not only prevent heart disease, but may also reverse it.
Epidemiological studies of various countries show a strong correlation between the use of dairy products and the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes. Researchers in 1992 found that a specific dairy protein sparks an auto-immune reaction, which is believed to be what destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.
The study, led by Dr Honglei Chen of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health in Massachusetts, found that dietary intake of dairy products is associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's in men, but not in women.
"It would be hard to think of a worse vehicle for delivering calcium to the body" Dr. Neal D. Barnard MD.
The China Study (the biggest study of nutrition ever undertaken) showed that a diet which avoids meat, fish and dairy products is the healthiest in terms of longevity and avoidance of disease.
The dairy industry is also environmentally costly.
Using the 'dairy products' sector the environmental benefits of reducing your dairy consumption by half are as follows:
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – 1,270.2 kg CO2 p.a.
- Reduction in water use – 421,080 litres p.a.
- Reduction in land disturbance - 2,459 m2 or 0.246 hectares p.a.
(2005 University of NSW and CSIRO)
The impact of animal welfare on dairy cows, and their calves, is not healthy for them either.
The increasing popularity of soy milk speaks for itself, and it is only a matter of adjusting taste buds. The economic weight of the dairy industry will ensure that soy is maligned. We have strong traditions relating to foods, supported by socio-political-historical pressures.
This was at first a comment by Matilda B. Thanks, Matilda. Emphasis added by me. - Editor
Comments
Bandicoot
Tue, 2011-02-01 11:08
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Why the dairy industry is questionable
Many people find it difficult to understand why the dairy industry is cruel. After all, cows produce milk naturally and milking seems a relatively benign procedure.
Cows lactate for the same reason as all mammals, including humans – to feed their babies. To produce milk in profitable quantities a dairy cow must be made pregnant every twelve months. Cows and their calves form strong bonds and the separation causes intense distress to both.
Despite industry propaganda, cows’ milk is no more necessary to human health than is elephants’ milk or dogs’ milk. Did you know that humans are the only animals who drink the milk of another species, and the only animals who drink milk after weaning?
A high Calcium diet including a high intake of dairy products has been encouraged in conventional Osteoporosis programmes. However, some question this approach based upon concerns for the acid alkali imbalance hypothesised to occur with a high dairy diet. The argument is that the acidity in dairy and grain foods needs to be buffered in the body and the mechanism for this is the release of calcium carbonate from bones. Hence it is suggested that high dairy diets actually lead to a secretion of more calcium from the bones. There is a wide health industry in dealing with Osteoporosis, and a loss would not be in their interests.
For decades we have been bombarded by the milk co-operatives, large corporate milk farming enterprises, and milk producer associations to the effect that you must drink milk if you want to be strong and healthy…that cow’s milk is high in bone strengthening calcium and all those other good things.
Now they have multi-millions of people believing this lie.
Well, the truth is, the only milk that is really healthy, and does all those good things the milk producers claim and more, is breast milk. When an infant is weaned, it is time to get off breast milk, and to never have cow’s milk----period!
Professor Loren Cordain, PhD, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, says the latest bad news for cow’s milk is that it causes spiked insulin levels as well as increased prostate cancer risk. Drinking that glass of milk sent their insulin levels soaring. That’s bad stuff, especially if you are a diabetic, overweight or obese.
There are vegan cheeses too. Check out this page on the Vegetarian Network Victoria web-site (http://vnv.org.au).
Many people who try soy milk for the first time do not like the brand they try and from then on label all soy milk as disgusting and avoid it altogether. Rice milk is another readily available dairy milk alternative that is well worth a try. There are also other milk alternatives available including Oat Milk, Almond Milk, Hazelnut Milk, Walnut Milk, Quinoa Milk and even Grain Milks (made from combinations of wheat, soybeans, oats, rice, triticale, and barley). Again, these milks all have quite different flavours so try several types and brands to find one you like.
Robert LePage (not verified)
Fri, 2011-03-04 17:44
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Milk is good for you
Sheila Newman
Thu, 2019-10-24 20:42
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High fat, low carb
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