Cow's milk is bad?
Replies
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We don't need dairy in our diets. But I'll be damned if I'm giving up yogurt, cheese and ice cream.
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Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
It's not "bad". It's just not as good as it's always been hyped up to be. Every nutrient available in high quantities in milk (which are really only calcium and vitamins A and D) are available in other foods that are better for you. The confounding factor, so to speak, in cow's milk, even if you get the skim (fat free) version, is lactose. Lactose is a sugar - that's all it is. Almost everyone will develop some degree of lactose intolerance as they age, because mammals don't naturally produce enough lactase - the enzyme that converts lactose into glucose - throughout their life, because mammals aren't conditioned to drink milk after infancy. Some people will continue to produce the lactase enzyme longer than others, and some cow's milk now comes with the lactase enzyme already added (this is what "lactose-free milk" is), but either way, lactose is converted into glucose either before or after it enters the body. If you are lactose-intolerant, there will be the byproduct of methane gas, which we all know what that results in.
The best alternative to milk, at least in my opinion, is almond milk. Very high and "complete" (complex) protein, very healthy fats, and, if you get the unsweetened kind, no sugar whatsoever. Soy milk has been the popular alternative for a long time, but the health benefits of soy have also been played up to a ridiculous extent. It is the singularly most mucous-producing food consumed by humans, and the protein it offers is not a complete one. Vitamins A and D are added to cow's milk - not naturally occurring - and there are many other foods that provide these vitamins. The best alternative for calcium to cow's milk is, believe it or not, spinach. Spinach is one of the best "superfoods" out there. You have to eat a lot of it to equal the calcium content in cow's milk, but one thing you can try is blending large quantities of it into a fruit smoothie - it's mild taste renders it almost undetectable when mixed with fruit, and you still get all the health benefits. If you're concerned about nutrient-deficiency, you can always take supplements. But the body can absorb them from foods the best. Make sure to drink plenty of water to help the be absorbed into your bloodstream efficiently.
Well, it's got protein and sugars and fat, which makes it a great exercise recovery drink.
The problem with the calcium in spinach is that it's not really bio-available due to the oxalic acid. Bok choy is a much better alternative.0 -
I live in the country, I see female cows humping each other and having the odd occasional udder... Fully grown cows, having milk from another fully grown cow..... Also seen other animals helping themselves 0.oHow many other mammals drink animal milk past a very young age?
How many have that option?
This supports my orgy theory.0 -
It's not "bad". It's just not as good as it's always been hyped up to be. Every nutrient available in high quantities in milk (which are really only calcium and vitamins A and D) are available in other foods that are better for you. The confounding factor, so to speak, in cow's milk, even if you get the skim (fat free) version, is lactose. Lactose is a sugar - that's all it is. Almost everyone will develop some degree of lactose intolerance as they age, because mammals don't naturally produce enough lactase - the enzyme that converts lactose into glucose - throughout their life, because mammals aren't conditioned to drink milk after infancy. Some people will continue to produce the lactase enzyme longer than others, and some cow's milk now comes with the lactase enzyme already added (this is what "lactose-free milk" is), but either way, lactose is converted into glucose either before or after it enters the body. If you are lactose-intolerant, there will be the byproduct of methane gas, which we all know what that results in.
that's true about any enzyme as well.... and bile. And even stomach acid for some people. As you age your body doesn't work so well. That doesn't mean young people should stop eating foods. My grandmother has a long list of food intolerances, and my mother (her daughter) is starting to develop some of them... really, I should avoid all the foods that my grandmother can't eat? What's the point in that? I'll eat them for as long as my digestive system can handle them.....
additionally, if you stop eating a particular food, your body will start to produce less of the enzymes needed to digest it. Giving up food for fear of developing an intolerance can then become a self-fulfilling prophecy. (note: this is why vegetarians sometimes get sick if they suddenly eat a lot of meat after years of not eating it)
humans from dairy herding populations have evolved the ability to digest lactose as adults, because of natural selection. This is the exact same process that every other animal has evolved to be able to digest any other food for as long as animals have existed. Because there's no other way for animals to become adapted to any diet except by natural selection. They eat the food available, those that thrive on that food survive and breed, those that don't thrive don't leave so many copies of their genes in the next generation... after several generations of this, you have a population that's adapted to eating the food that's available. Repeat this constantly throughout the entire time that animals have existed... including when dairy farming/herding populations underwent food shortages and those that could digest milk survived the food shortage by drinking milk and those that couldn't starved to death, thus leaving a population where most of the individuals in it can digest lactose as adults...
there is no food that is perfectly adapted to any animal, because other living things don't grow in order to be food for animals. they get eaten because that's how animals survive... they eat what's available for them. Life is dynamic, and nothing is ever perfectly adapted for any ecological niche... because the environment is dynamic and constantly changing. A lot of the food that our ancestors ate is now extinct. Same for any other animal.
the idea that humans who have the lactase persistance gene shouldn't drink milk because other humans don't have this gene or because drinking the milk of other animals is comparatively rare is silly. If you have the lactase persistence gene then you have an evolutionary adaptation for drinking the milk of other animals as an adult, therefore milk is a safe and suitable food for you to drink and there's no reason not to drink it.0 -
When I stopped consuming all dairy, my debilitating migraines went away. I tried consuming dairy again, the migraines came back. I did this several times to be sure. I finally gave up milk permanently, I have not had migraines since. (Full disclosure, I have been a vegetarian for several years, so I guess now that makes me a vegan)
My friend had a disgusting pimply rash all over his chest, he gave up dairy completely, and the rash went away. He also went back on dairy and the rash came back, so then he went off dairy again, and the rash went away.
These are 100% true stories.
I have been weaned from my own mothers breast now for many years, why should I suck on the breast of another species, it just doesn't make sense. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
We don't "need" donuts.
We don't "need" peaches.
We don't "need" peanut butter.
Now you're just being mean.0 -
When I stopped consuming all dairy, my debilitating migraines went away. I tried consuming dairy again, the migraines came back. I did this several times to be sure. I finally gave up milk permanently, I have not had migraines since. (Full disclosure, I have been a vegetarian for several years, so I guess now that makes me a vegan)
My friend had a disgusting pimply rash all over his chest, he gave up dairy completely, and the rash went away. He also went back on dairy and the rash came back, so then he went off dairy again, and the rash went away.
These are 100% true stories.
I have been weaned from my own mothers breast now for many years, why should I suck on the breast of another species, it just doesn't make sense. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
Another 100% true story: peaches will kill you. I know this because I ate one one time, and it made my throat swell shut and I almost died.
Yet another 100% true story: humans should also not eat avocados because they make my tongue swell up and go numb.
Edited to say: antecdotes about someone's intolerance to something doesn't mean that an entire species shouldn't consume it.0 -
I live in the country, I see female cows humping each other and having the odd occasional udder... Fully grown cows, having milk from another fully grown cow..... Also seen other animals helping themselves 0.oHow many other mammals drink animal milk past a very young age?
How many have that option?
This supports my orgy theory.
humans are most closely related to bonobos. bonobos' evolutionary niche appears to be the orgy.0 -
When I stopped consuming all dairy, my debilitating migraines went away. I tried consuming dairy again, the migraines came back. I did this several times to be sure. I finally gave up milk permanently, I have not had migraines since. (Full disclosure, I have been a vegetarian for several years, so I guess now that makes me a vegan)
My friend had a disgusting pimply rash all over his chest, he gave up dairy completely, and the rash went away. He also went back on dairy and the rash came back, so then he went off dairy again, and the rash went away.
These are 100% true stories.
I have been weaned from my own mothers breast now for many years, why should I suck on the breast of another species, it just doesn't make sense. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
Another 100% true story: peaches will kill you. I know this because I ate one one time, and it made my throat swell shut and I almost died.
Yet another 100% true story: humans should also not eat avocados because they make my tongue swell up and go numb.
I once tripped over a blueberry bush. Those things are deadly.0 -
I'm sorry but I think I really really do "need" peanut butter!!......and wine :happy:When I stopped consuming all dairy, my debilitating migraines went away. I tried consuming dairy again, the migraines came back. I did this several times to be sure. I finally gave up milk permanently, I have not had migraines since. (Full disclosure, I have been a vegetarian for several years, so I guess now that makes me a vegan)
My friend had a disgusting pimply rash all over his chest, he gave up dairy completely, and the rash went away. He also went back on dairy and the rash came back, so then he went off dairy again, and the rash went away.
These are 100% true stories.
I have been weaned from my own mothers breast now for many years, why should I suck on the breast of another species, it just doesn't make sense. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
We don't "need" donuts.
We don't "need" peaches.
We don't "need" peanut butter.0 -
Recently I stopped drinking cow's milk, first I ditched full cream because it was too 'heavy' and then just gave it up completely in favour of almond milk. IMHO, milk was designed to make a 100 kg calf into a 1000 kg cow. Not good for us! Also, there's that myth about pus and blood. I know it's not true but it gets me every time... ugh.
I like almond milk in my coffee and sub it out to save calories in some dessert recipes. Milk isn't bad for you though, although that's a popular MFP myth people like to spout on here. In fact I sure your trolling right now with your op. Raw milk has excellent health benefits and most people who are lactose intolerant have no problems drinking raw milk. Most of the benefits of milk are lost in the pasteurization process. That's why calves often don't survive when fed pasteurized milk. I'm sure someone will chime in in how bad it is for you momentarily....
Eh. I fed my kids raw human milk and frozen human milk. Many of the benefits were lost during the freezing process, but I wouldn't say most. However, raw milk is an effective topical antibiotic (anti-viral agent as well)
That's actually true. Human breastmilk is awesome like that, I've used it many times on my own kids for conjunctivitis when they were babies.
Good on minor infections, like cat scratches. Usually they get really irritated and sore for a coupla days when I get them. I rubbed a little of my own breast milk on one once--BAM. Gone the next day.0 -
Recently I stopped drinking cow's milk, first I ditched full cream because it was too 'heavy' and then just gave it up completely in favour of almond milk. IMHO, milk was designed to make a 100 kg calf into a 1000 kg cow. Not good for us! Also, there's that myth about pus and blood. I know it's not true but it gets me every time... ugh.
I like almond milk in my coffee and sub it out to save calories in some dessert recipes. Milk isn't bad for you though, although that's a popular MFP myth people like to spout on here. In fact I sure your trolling right now with your op. Raw milk has excellent health benefits and most people who are lactose intolerant have no problems drinking raw milk. Most of the benefits of milk are lost in the pasteurization process. That's why calves often don't survive when fed pasteurized milk. I'm sure someone will chime in in how bad it is for you momentarily....
Eh. I fed my kids raw human milk and frozen human milk. Many of the benefits were lost during the freezing process, but I wouldn't say most. However, raw milk is an effective topical antibiotic (anti-viral agent as well)
That's actually true. Human breastmilk is awesome like that, I've used it many times on my own kids for conjunctivitis when they were babies.
Good on minor infections, like cat scratches. Usually they get really irritated and sore for a coupla days when I get them. I rubbed a little of my own breast milk on one once--BAM. Gone the next day.
Really? One of mine was gone in hours. My boobies are better than your boobies!0 -
Good points made about bok choy and raw milk. Thanks
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Good points made about bok choy and raw milk. Thanks
That, and snarkiness, is what we're all about!0 -
If you're really interested in understanding human's relationship to milk, here is an interesting article about the evolution of dairy consumption.
http://www.nature.com/news/archaeology-the-milk-revolution-1.13471
Things to note - different types of dairy are more digestible than others, only a percentage of the population retains the ability to digest milk after childhood due to a gene mutation, and dairy products have been quite important for human survival during times of famine.
I personally have no difficulty digesting milk so I won't get all up in other people's faces about whether or not it is "right" to consume it. That said, aside from butter, very little dairy makes its way into my cooking. And when I do buy milk, I often choose goat over cow simply because goats have a MUCH smaller carbon footprint.0 -
can i still suck on nipples? that is the real question0
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. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
BUT THEY EAT A LOT OF WHITE RICE!!!! White rice makes you fat. Everyone says so, and, my friend, he ate a lot of white rice when he was an university, and he... put on weight!!!
But he also drank a little milk now and then.
Maybe white rice only makes you fat when you also drink milk? Because, in rural china, I don't think there are a lot of fat people.......0 -
Milk and honey are the only articles of diet whose sole function in nature is food.
60% of American adults can not tolerate dairy products(what we call lactose intolerant) but only a very few Americans are lactose malabsorbers and most of them are not lactose intolerant. That is why most lactose intolerant people have no problem drinking raw milk and why all this talk about genes is nonsense. Also if you're allergic, switching to raw milk cured my hay fever and food allergies. It also cured my wife's cat allergy.
None of the studies showing the ill effects of milk were done on raw milk and there are many studies that show the ill effects of pasteurization and homogenization on the nutritional level of fresh milk.
If you look closely at the numbers and talk to some of the 10 million raw milk consumers you will actually find that raw milk has a negative risk factor. People who don't drink raw milk are 9 times more likely to contract a so called foodborne illness than people that do.0 -
When I stopped consuming all dairy, my debilitating migraines went away. I tried consuming dairy again, the migraines came back. I did this several times to be sure. I finally gave up milk permanently, I have not had migraines since. (Full disclosure, I have been a vegetarian for several years, so I guess now that makes me a vegan)
My friend had a disgusting pimply rash all over his chest, he gave up dairy completely, and the rash went away. He also went back on dairy and the rash came back, so then he went off dairy again, and the rash went away.
These are 100% true stories.
I have been weaned from my own mothers breast now for many years, why should I suck on the breast of another species, it just doesn't make sense. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
We don't "need" donuts.
We don't "need" peaches.
We don't "need" peanut butter.
I don't know about other people but I would be devastated if people stopped eating peaches all together.0 -
Organic whole milk is fine. It's also delicious. I grew up with only skim or 1% milk in the house and never liked milk much at all until I finally tried whole milk.
Non-organic milk can contain bovine growth hormone, pesticides, and residue from antibiotics. Since it's probably not pasture raised, the omega 6 to omega 3 ratios aren't optimal. This is one of the instances where the organic version does make a big difference.
The other problem is that the fat in milk is a good thing in that it helps buffer the sugar to prevent insulin spikes. It may not taste sweet, but milk has quite a bit of sugars in it. I think the fat may also help absorption of protein along with fat soluble nutrients that obviously get removed with the fat. Saturated fat is finally being vindicated of being the villain in our diets. Saturated fat is very stable and provides a great nutritious fuel source and as long as you burn all of your daily calories, there's no excess in your bloodstream anyway.
Whole milk is around 4% fat, so drinking 2% milk denies you of the benefits and taste with minimal caloric reduction. 1% and skim milk taste like water and shouldn't even be called milk in my book.
Milk is however, not a great calcium source which many people consume it for. The dairy association pushes it for that, but there's a big difference between what nutrients may be in a food and how much of that is bio available. You do get some, but it's not absorbed that well for humans. Much better calcium sources are dark greens, sea vegetables, and veggies in general.
If you decide on almond or soy milk as an alternative, beware of the extremely high sugar content in most of the brands and be sure to factor that into your decision. I'd rather have the fat since essential fats are nutrients my body needs and sugar is well, just empty calories.
Btw, you should try full fat organic yogurts. That's what yogurt is supposed to taste like instead of like instant pudding. I love the full fat plain Greek yogurt that Cabot makes with 10% milk fat. It's as thick as sour cream and I go through a couple 2 lb containers a week.
Please follow up with scientifically backed up sources that prove organic milk is better and why and prove that all almond and soy have a high sugar content (not all are sweetened). Also show how full fat organic yogurt is better.
Make your own yogurt, it's much better than any store bought organic brand.
Organic milk doesn't contain pesticides. Regardless of whether BGH or antibiotics given to animals are a concern to you or if you prefer grass versus feed, lack of pesticides alone makes it better. Pesticides are nerve toxins which I don't like having in my food even in very small amounts. Whether it's worth it to you is your decision.
I specifically stated that MOST brands of almond and soy milk had high sugar content. All of them don't and unsweetened ones certainly don't, but what I see most people putting in their shopping carts when I'm out shopping are the sweetened vanilla ones which are loaded with sugar. People should read the labels and be aware that what some companies sell as healthy options sometimes push the limits. Caveat emptor.
I agree that homemade yogurt is better. Homemade anything is usually better. I probably should make my own. I did do it many years back, but the convenience of it ready made isn't bad especially when I can buy from a socially responsible company that buys from local farmers who follow sustainable practices. I guess that's a reason organic yogurt is better to me, because it tends to come from local family farms and not big factory farms.0 -
When I stopped consuming all dairy, my debilitating migraines went away. I tried consuming dairy again, the migraines came back. I did this several times to be sure. I finally gave up milk permanently, I have not had migraines since. (Full disclosure, I have been a vegetarian for several years, so I guess now that makes me a vegan)
My friend had a disgusting pimply rash all over his chest, he gave up dairy completely, and the rash went away. He also went back on dairy and the rash came back, so then he went off dairy again, and the rash went away.
These are 100% true stories.
I have been weaned from my own mothers breast now for many years, why should I suck on the breast of another species, it just doesn't make sense. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
We don't "need" donuts.
We don't "need" peaches.
We don't "need" peanut butter.
I don't know about other people but I would be devastated if people stopped eating peaches all together.
Is there any food that somebody doesn't have an intolerance for?0 -
Leafy greens turn a 16lb gorilla into a 500lb gorilla. I better stop eating salad.
Nailed it.
Also...cows milk gets baby cows on their feet. Vegetable matter is what turns them into gigantic beasts.0 -
"IMHO, milk was designed to make a 100 kg calf into a 1000 kg cow. Not good for us! "
That's 2200+ pounds. Dear God. And a 2200 pound cow most certainly would not still be breastfeeding. If they are, I would hate to see the size of the mothers.
PS cows eat grass.0 -
I don't think that pesticide use or content is part of any organic milk standard.Organic milk doesn't contain pesticides.0 -
When I stopped consuming all dairy, my debilitating migraines went away. I tried consuming dairy again, the migraines came back. I did this several times to be sure. I finally gave up milk permanently, I have not had migraines since. (Full disclosure, I have been a vegetarian for several years, so I guess now that makes me a vegan)
My friend had a disgusting pimply rash all over his chest, he gave up dairy completely, and the rash went away. He also went back on dairy and the rash came back, so then he went off dairy again, and the rash went away.
These are 100% true stories.
I have been weaned from my own mothers breast now for many years, why should I suck on the breast of another species, it just doesn't make sense. I realized I have been brain washed by the dairy industry. Many people in rural China and other countries do not drink milk at all. They seem just fine. We don't "need" cows milk.
We don't "need" donuts.
We don't "need" peaches.
We don't "need" peanut butter.
I NEED all of those. My belly says so.0 -
Good points made about bok choy and raw milk. Thanks
That, and snarkiness, is what we're all about!
Did I sound like I was being snarky? That was a sincere comment...0 -
I could never ever go back to drinking a cow's milk. Soy and almond milk is way nicer and is good for both the poor cows and you!0
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If you're really interested in understanding human's relationship to milk, here is an interesting article about the evolution of dairy consumption.
http://www.nature.com/news/archaeology-the-milk-revolution-1.13471
Things to note - different types of dairy are more digestible than others, only a percentage of the population retains the ability to digest milk after childhood due to a gene mutation, and dairy products have been quite important for human survival during times of famine.
I personally have no difficulty digesting milk so I won't get all up in other people's faces about whether or not it is "right" to consume it. That said, aside from butter, very little dairy makes its way into my cooking. And when I do buy milk, I often choose goat over cow simply because goats have a MUCH smaller carbon footprint.
I do get in people's faces on this site about dairy, because I'm sick of how many people are being told that milk's harmful to all humans, unnatural etc, when it's not. Granted that not everyone can drink it, depending on whether or not they possess the lactase persistence gene, but the scaremongering of what is a perfectly safe and nutritious food for many people IMO is causing more harm than good.
Personally, I eat quite a lot of dairy. I have eaten dairy free in the past, but I actually feel a lot more healthy for including dairy products in my diet. I include naturally probiotic dairy, such as yoghurt and laban (Arabic dairy product). My genetic origin is from the British Isles, and Britain has a long history of dairy farming. Of course people who can't tolerate dairy shouldn't consume it.... my issue is with people who try to claim that no humans at all should be consuming dairy, regardless of any other factors, or those that claim it's harmful to people who can digest it just fine.0 -
Good, more milk for me. 0
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Good points made about bok choy and raw milk. Thanks
That, and snarkiness, is what we're all about!
Did I sound like I was being snarky? That was a sincere comment...
I believe the poster who wrote "snarkiness" was describing herself in a tongue in cheek manner. She is mean because she provides advice when asked about things she knows. This is indicative of "mean" people on MFP. Yes, more TIC.....next caller....0 -
Ok I'll bite. I'm an adult male lion, where do I get my milk if I want some? Whole Foods or Publix?
From the milk sacs of herbivore victims.0
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