Milk has long been considered a staple in the American diet, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommending two to three cups of milk a day for most individuals. However, there are important factors to take into consideration before drinking milk, especially since we are generally consuming pasteurized and homogenized milk rather than raw, wholesome milk.
Synthetic Vitamin D Bind Magnesium
According to the USDA, milk is an excellent source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D, which is added to fortified milk products. Nevertheless, the synthetic vitamin D in store-bought milk binds magnesium. As synthetic vitamin D is ten times more active than its natural form, it’s ten times more potent in binding magnesium.
Milk, being low in magnesium but high in calcium, interferes with magnesium metabolism, antagonizing the mineral responsible for decay prevention. It’s essential to note that the USDA does not instruct individuals that they need magnesium, though many people may be deficient.
Magnesium is Critical
Magnesium plays a crucial role in bone and tooth development, as well as the prevention of mineral deposits in the soft tissues of the body. This directly relates to dental cavities in children and calcified joints in older people.
The USDA promotes milk consumption, but commercial milk is a dead product – heat from pasteurization kills much of the enzymes and nutrients. Enzymes are vital in food quality. Foods without enzymes are dead foods that cannot sustain life and health.
Milk can Lead to Health Risks
Robert Cohen’s book, “Milk — The Deadly Poison,” states that 40% of the food Americans eat consists of milk or dairy, posing a high health risk from a hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). Commercial dairy farmers use rBGH (bovine growth hormone) to make cows produce more milk. The rBGH use raises IGF-1 levels to five times their normal amount.
Drinking milk from animals given growth hormones, especially by non-infants, can behave as a cancer accelerator and has been associated with breast, prostate, and colon cancer. The book also states that milk is a prime cause of allergies and can even lead to medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, leukemia, and early sexual maturation in children.
Humans and Milk
It’s crucial to note that humans are the only species that drink milk beyond infancy and actively seek milk from other species. There are multiple health factors associated with the consumption of milk and dairy products. The fact that most humans lack the basic enzymes necessary to digest milk properly can lead to indigestion and other ailments.
Negative Health Links
Moreover, numerous studies point to various negative health factors related to milk intake. These include links between dairy intake and prostate cancer and ovarian cancer; cow’s milk protein triggering type 1 diabetes; a connection between higher dairy intake and multiple sclerosis; a correlation between milk intake and acne; and the fact that milk is one of the most common self-reported food allergens.
Consider the Alternatives
Given these potential negative health effects, it’s essential to consider alternatives to processed, store-bought milk products and be aware of the potential risks associated with milk consumption. Although raw milk offers various nutritional benefits, issues such as raids on farms producing raw milk have made it difficult to access and buy. This is just another example of the intricate web of corporate-influenced decisions surrounding what we consume and how it affects our health.
