Milk: Perfect Food or Toxic Soup? Part 1

[CPA2]

Milk:

Perfect Food or Toxic Soup?

Contrary to popular belief, milk is not the perfect food. Commercial milk is a toxic soup. “Processed cow’s milk is a chemical soup that is highly toxic and a negative fountain of youth for adults. To put it simply, cow’s milk is not healthy for humans” (Lam 1). Milk is not fit for human consumption. It causes more diseases than it prevents.

The National Dairy Council holds the opposite view. These are just some of the slogans of the dairy industry: “Got Milk?” “Milk is the perfect food.” “Milk is natural.” “Everybody needs milk.” “Milk drinkers make better lovers.” Attacking milk is almost un-American. Our mothers told us to drink all of our milk so that we would grow strong and healthy. “Hurry up and drink your milk” is a common admonishment to children. The National Dairy Council says, “For athletes like Carmelo Anthony, milk is the perfect fuel to keep them in the game. With nine essential nutrients, including calcium for strong bones and protein to build muscle, it’s a natural power drink.” An article in Nutrition Today said that milk is the most reliable source of calcium. It is superior to calcium-fortified beverages. Adding calcium to drinks is not a nutritional substitute for milk. Milk provides calcium, protein, phosphorus, vitamin D, and many other nutrients (Heaney 40).

Milk is the ideal medium for chemicals. Hormones given to cows increase milk production. Drinking commercial milk exposes us to genetically engineered growth hormones. RBRH is one of the toxic chemicals in milk. It is technically known as bovine somatotropin. Bovine growth hormones are not natural. They cause inflammation of the udder and reproductive organs. Cows require greater quantities of antibiotics to combat the inflammation caused by rBRH. The antibiotics then contaminate the milk. The widespread use of rBRH increases the risk of breast, prostate, colon and lung cancer.

Once taken in orally by humans, IGF-1 from rBGH enriched milk enters the blood stream. “It is highly likely that IGF-1 promotes transformation of normal breast epithelium to breast cancer” (Harris). “IGF-1 maintains the malignancy of human breast cancer cells, including their invasiveness and ability to spread to distant organs” (Lippman). Additionally, IGF-1 from rBGH-enriched milk increases the risk of lung, prostate and colon cancer. "Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), in particular IGF-I and IGF-II, strongly stimulate the proliferation of a variety of cancer cells, including those from lung cancer. High plasma levels of IGF-I were associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Plasma levels of IGF-I are higher…in patients with lung cancer than in control subjects” (Journal 2). “Selected studies have shown that men with an IGF-1 level between 300-500 mg/dl have more than four times the risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those with a level between 100 to 185 mg/dl. The risk is more pronounced in men over 60 years of age, where the risk of prostate cancer is eight times higher than control. The elevated IGF-1 levels were present several years before an actual diagnosis of prostate cancer” (Lam 5).

There have been a number of scientific studies on rBHR. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons found that the veterinary effects of rBGH were an increased incidence of mastitis, lameness and reproductive problems (Epstein). “Cows injected with rBGH show heavy localization of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factors) in breast (udder) epithelial cells; this does not occur in untreated cows” (Furlanetto, Gregor and Cambell).

Both Europe and Canada bann rBGH laced milk. “The Codex Alimentarius Commission, the U.N. Food Safety Agency representing 101 nations worldwide, has ruled unanimously in favor of the 1993 European moratorium on Monsanto’s generically engineered hormonal milk” (Epstein). However, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Monsanto’s genetically modified milk (rBGH) in 1994. The FDA is a government watchdog that does not always bark. The FDA allows the sale of unlabeled treated milk to be sold to unsuspecting and uninformed consumers. Given the cancer and other health risks, why is rBRH milk still in the marketplace?

 

[CPA2]

Part 2

The National Dairy Council says that drinking milk now helps prevent osteoporosis when you get older. “Osteoporosis affects 28 million Americans and one in five of those affected is male. Milk helps build strong bones because it’s rich in calcium and vitamin D, which can double the amount of calcium absorbed by your body. You should drink more milk to help prevent osteoporosis” (National). The National Dairy Council recommends consuming three glasses of milk daily to make bones stronger.
Contrary to what the Dairy Council says, calcium ingestion does not prevent bone fractures. “American women have been consuming an average of two pounds of milk per day for their entire lives, yet thirty million American women have osteoporosis. Drinking milk does not prevent bone loss” (Cohen). “Countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis, such as the United States, England, and Sweden, consume the most milk. China and Japan, where people eat much less protein and dairy food, have low rates of osteoporosis” (Healthletter). “Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, were associated with an increased risk of hip fractures…metabolism of dietary protein causes increased urinary excretion of calcium” (Epidemiology 139). Animal protein causes acute bone deterioration.

Milk does provide calcium. However, milk also promotes calcium loss. Dr. John McDougall says that the primary cause of osteoporosis is the high protein diet that most Americans consume. “Increasing one’s protein intake by 100% may cause calcium loss to double” (Nutrition 111). “Excessive proteins intake from cow’s milk increase the need for minerals to neutralize the acid formed from digesting animal protein… Milk and diary products are therefore acid forming substances” (Lam 4). One researcher said that eating a high protein diet is like pouring acid rain on your bones.

 

[CPA2]

Part 3

Eating more vegetables and eating less dairy products may decrease bone loss and the risk of hip fractures. Ample amounts of calcium can be obtained from leafy vegetables. The calcium absorption from leafy greens is between 40% and 64%. Calcium absorption from milk is only 30% (Bernard). A high consumption of fruits and vegetables has a positive effect on bone health. A high intake of milk products does not have a positive impact on strong bones. Increased dairy consumption causes an increased risk for osteoporosis.

Some studies suggest that there is a link between milk protein and the onset of diabetes. “These new studies, and more than 20 well-documented previous ones, have prompted one researcher to say that the link between milk and juvenile diabetes is very solid” (Diabetes 12). Proteins in cow’s milk may cause the child’s immune system to attack it. The immune system also attacks the BETA-cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The cells in the pancreas become insulin resistant. Diabetes is the result.

Drinking milk also contributes to heart disease. “Milk and milk products gave the highest correlation coefficient to heart disease, while sugar, animal proteins and animal fats came in second, third, and fourth, respectively” (Survey 907). “Excessive milk consumption may adversely affect the circulation on account of the high calcium content of milk and because lactose promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium. Excessive calcium intake may cause calcification and rigidification of the large elastic arteries, which could be an important factor in causing myocardial ischaemia” (Medical 5).

Milk is the leading cause of allergy. “At least 50% of all children in the United States are allergic to cow’s milk, many undiagnosed. Dairy products are the leading cause of food allergy, often revealed by diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue. Many cases of asthma and sinus infections are reported to be relieved and even eliminated by cutting out dairy” (Mead). “Most formula fed infants developed symptoms of allergic rejection to cow milk proteins before one month of age. About 50-70% experienced rashes or other skin symptoms, 50-60 percent gastrointestinal symptoms, and 20-30 percent respiratory symptoms. The recommended therapy is to avoid cow’s milk" (Epidemiological 5). Milk allergy is so prevalent that a doctor’s first response is the elimination of milk from the diet.

“Milk. It does a body good,” sounds a little hollow. The National Dairy Council’s promotion of milk does not ring true in light of the many scientific studies on milk. Milk is not the perfect food. There is more calcium in broccoli than milk. Milk is not “natural.” Raw milk from healthy pastured animals a hundred years ago is not the same as commercial milk today. Milk is a toxic soup. Milk contains antibiotics and genetically engineered growth hormones that cause cancer.

The National Dairy Council proclaims that everybody needs milk. "In reality, cow’s milk, especially processed cow’s milk, has been linked to a variety of health problems, including: mucous production, hemoglobin loss, childhood diabetes, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, kidney stones, mood swings, depression, irritability, and allergies” (Klotter). The fact is that humans do not need milk. Commercial processed milk is not fit for human consumption. It causes more diseases than it prevents. Milk is a toxic soup!

Works Cited

Campbell, P.G. and Baumrucker, C.R. “Characterization of insulin-like growth factor-1/somatomedin-C receptors in bovine mammary gland.” Endocrinology 116
(1985): 223.
Cohen, Robert. “Milk A-Z.” Science 233 (1986): 4763.
Diabetes 17 (1994): 12.
“Epidemiological and Immunological Aspects of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy and Intolerance in Infancy.” Pediatric-Allergy-Immunology (1994): 5.
Epstein, S.S. “Potential public health hazards of biosynthetic milk hormones.” International Journal of Health Services 20 (1990): 73-84.
Furaneto, R.W. “Somatomedin-C receptors and growth effects in human breast cells maintained in long-term tissue culture.” Cancer Research 44 (1984): 2122-2128.
Gregor, P. “Presence of high affinity somatomedin/insulin-line growth factor receptors in porcine mammary-gland.” Endocrinology 116 (1985): 223
Harris, J.R. Breast Cancer 7 (1992): 473-480.
Heaney, R.P. “Not all calcium fortified beverages are equal.” Nutrition Today (2005): 40.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 91 (1999): 2.
Journal of Nutrition 111 (1981): 3.
Klotter, Julie. Townsend Medical Letter (1995).
Lam. “An Insider’s Guide to Natural Medicine.” (2005): http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/2003-No2-Milk.cfm
Lippman, M.E. “The development of biological therapies for breast cancer.” Science 259 (1993): 631-632.
Mead, Nathaniel. Natural Health (1994).
Medical Hypotheses 54 (2000): 5
Nutrition Action Newletter (1993).
“A Survey of Mortality Rates and Food Consumption Statistics of 24 Countries.” Medical Hypothesis 7 (1981): 907-918.

 

[the_phoenix]

Well, what about organic milk?

 

[1ke]

rBGH is not used by all dairy operations. And, many brands available on the market are rBGH free, both conventional and organic.

Nevertheless, rBGH does **not **increase infection in cows who are given it. The science does not support this assertion. The determining factor of udder infection is cleanliness and health practices of the farmer, not use of rBGH.

Antibiotics are **not **in the milk supply. This is persistent myth, completely untrue. Milk is tested before it leaves the farm, and it is tested before it enters the plant. If there are any antibiotics in the milk, the entire truckload is dumped and does not enter the milk supply. These are US standards. I cannot speak to Canada or anything imported from another country.

You clearly have an agenda. But you are not being honest.

 

[Arismal]

Also, Monsanto produced milk that has Bovine Growth Hormone in it (BGH) which studies show could be a very potent cancer agent, though Monsanto never had it fully tested before they used it in dairy cattle, and there are residual traces in more or less all milk in America that isn’t imported

 

[Walter_Casler]

I read this while drinking a very large glass of milk and I feel great.

 

[Miserys_Fence]

I have a degree in Animal Science with a Specialty in Dairy, and everything CPA2 says is correct. The National Dairy Council has the USDA in its back pocket, so you’ll not hear the truth from them, nor will they take any action against infractions. Everything gets swept under the rug for the almighty $$$.

Doesn’t it strike anyone else as absurd for a weaned mammal to drink the breast milk of another species?

But for those that do, God bless the small organic farmer who does right by his/her animals and customers. These are the people who need our support at farmers markets and agriculture co-ops.

Miz

 

[GaryTaylor]

What ever happend to “MILK its GOOD For YOU”

My my, I grew up drinking milk and it was source of nutrition for many years. So its safe to say I’ll be reaping it effects at some point?

 

[HyeDetroit]

I will never stop drinking milk

 

[Ridgerunner]

Doesn’t it strike anyone else as absurd for a weaned mammal to drink the breast milk of another species?

Not at all. Indo-Europeans have been doing it for tens of thousands of years; possibly the reason why most Indo-Europeans retain lactose tolerance into adulthood, whereas others generally don’t. It’s no more absurd than eating fungus, which is what you’re doing when you eat mushrooms.

I can’t speak for the dairy industry. I raise beef cattle. I do know that all veterinary medications have label instructions not to send cattle or milk to slaughter if the animal has been subjected to the medication for (it varies with the medication) “X” number of days.

Because I know milk haulers and some dairymen, I am also aware that, around here at least, milk is checked at the plants for antibiotics (perhaps other things) and they’ll reject a whole load if it does. That’s an enormous loss for the hauler and the dairyman, so I’m skeptical that the milk is full of antibiotics or growth hormones.

I see lots of citations above, but no website addresses for scholarly articles on the subject. If we can’t take a look at the sources, it’s not enough (in my mind anyway) to overcome what little I do know about the industry. And I don’t mean some quackdoodle propaganda articles either. If somebody produces some genuinely scientific articles, we can rightly be asked to pay attention. Until then, we should not be asked to do so.

 

[VetA]

i enjoy milk sometimes… i will be happy with my cancer-drink :stretcher:

 

[1ke]

I have a degree in Animal Science with a Specialty in Dairy, and everything CPA2 says is correct.

Someone with a degree in dairy science should know that what CPA2 says is NOT correct with regard to antibiotics in milk or that rBGH causes infections. So, I am suspicious of your credentials.

A person with a degree in dairy science would know that infection is a result of the farmer’s heard health practices and cleanliness practices and that no antibiotics enter the milk supply in the US.

 

[aspawloski4th]

I have a degree in Animal Science with a Specialty in Dairy, and everything CPA2 says is correct. The National Dairy Council has the USDA in its back pocket, so you’ll not hear the truth from them, nor will they take any action against infractions. Everything gets swept under the rug for the almighty $$$.

Doesn’t it strike anyone else as absurd for a weaned mammal to drink the breast milk of another species?

But for those that do, God bless the small organic farmer who does right by his/her animals and customers. These are the people who need our support at farmers markets and agriculture co-ops.

Miz

Well you must not have learned the history of dairy consumption when you were doing your studies in college. Indo Europeans have been consuming milk for several thousand years, especialy the peoples who originated north of the old Roman empire. German and Celtic tribal people cooked in butter while generally having better health than their Roman neighbors to the south who cooked in olive oil. People rail against the traditionaland typical wester world diet drive me nuts!

 

[the_phoenix]

Well you must not have learned the history of dairy consumption when you were doing your studies in college. Indo Europeans have been consuming milk for several thousand years, especialy the peoples who originated north of the old Roman empire. German and Celtic tribal people cooked in butter while generally having better health than their Roman neighbors to the south who cooked in olive oil. People rail against the traditionaland typical wester world diet drive me nuts!

My question to the OP would be, if we’re not supposed to drink milk, what ought we to be drinking instead?

Beer? Wine? Water?
Coffee? Tea? Kool-aid?
Diet Coke? Lemonade?
The OP should propose a beverage of choice, and then we can go through
and look at the health risks of whatever the particular drink is.

:coffeeread: :compcoff:

 

[CDNowak]

Doesn’t it strike anyone else as absurd for a weaned mammal to drink the breast milk of another species?

Yup, particularly for adults. As someone who couldn’t have milk growing up (I was small and underweight for my age, then lost 10% of my weight attributed to the milk), I never got addicted to the stuff in its liquid form.

I’ll take mine moldy, thank you. ​

I propose wine as the replacement.

 

[aspawloski4th]

My question to the OP would be, if we’re not supposed to drink milk, what ought we to be drinking instead?

Beer? Wine? Water?
Coffee? Tea? Kool-aid?
Diet Coke? Lemonade?
The OP should propose a beverage of choice, and then we can go through
and look at the health risks of whatever the particular drink is.

:coffeeread: :compcoff:

If he proposed Diet Coke is safer than milk I’d be rolling on the floor laughing my fanny off. The nutra sweet in some diet pops gives my dad such severe headaches he didn’t allow my younger siblings to have anything with it in it. I there are a few studies out there linking nutra sweet to brain tumors.

 

[the_phoenix]

If he proposed Diet Coke is safer than milk I’d be rolling on the floor laughing my fanny off. The nutra sweet in some diet pops gives my dad such severe headaches he didn’t allow my younger siblings to have anything with it in it. I there are a few studies out there linking nutra sweet to brain tumors.

I’m with your dad. Whatever it is in Crystal Light, aspartame or whatever, didn’t agree with me so I might have even pitched a bunch of it in the trash. I’ll take good old-fashioned natural sugar over all these artificial chemicals.

As for CDNowak, I prefer wine over milk too.

“Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, There’s always laughter and good red wine. At least I’ve always found it so. Benedicamus Domino!” ~~ Hilaire Belloc

That said, I still want to go over the health benefits …

 

[Rence]

I have my own milk cow, and my own milk goats. Suffice it to say, I know what goes in them and I know what I drink is good food, tastes better too

My Jersey is due to calf on june 15, and I can’t wait till she has her calf.

Sadly, it’s illegal to sell farm fresh milk where I live. I know I could manage a cow share, but sometimes it’s more trouble for the farmer than it’s worth, but I might go that route while I have the time to do it. I do feel bad that people who don’t have their own cows or goats have to buy the stuff in the store. People beg me to sell them milk all the time. I’m afraid of getting in trouble and having my cow taken away though. I honestly don’t know how you guys drink that stuff from the store. I guess you’re used to it

My advise is that if you really think that stuff in the store is bad, and you’re up for trying something that tastes better and is better for you, look for a cow share program. Those are legal in most areas and it gives people without the means to have a cow for whatever reason, the ability to buy shares of a cow. You buy a share of a cow, and a monthly fee pays for someone else to board and manage the cow and do all the work associated with taking care of the cow, and you get your share of milk associated with each share you buy.

 

[tjm190]

We played this game 20 years ago… If it makes you feel better, I hereby declare myself a case study- I will nobly continue drinking milk. If milk kills me, you win.