Milk from many animals, particularly cows, has long been a regular food staple for many, but not all, cultures. It provides other food sources such as cheese, yogurt, butter and kefir and is a source of protein, vitamin D and calcium. But is Milk the “Super Food” as we have been made to believe?

Health Issues due to Milk consumption:

1. Lactose intolerance: Lactose is a sugar usually digested in the intestinal tract. Many people lack or lose the ability to digest lactose and will suffer from significant bowel cramping, bloating or even loose bowels upon consuming dairy products.
2. Allergies: Clinically, milk may also be linked to increased eczema, worsening sinus problems, migraine headaches and joint pain. Milk is considered a mucus-producing food and is clinically thought to aggravate congestion.
3. Calcium Deficiency: Though Milk contains about 300mg/cup Calcium, our bodies do not absorb it well enough. Its actually detrimental. Like all animal protein, milk (especially pasteurized milk) acidifies the body pH which in turn triggers a biological correction. Calcium, a great acid neutralizer, present in bones is utilized to neutralize the acidifying effect of milk, leading to calcium deficiency.
4. Protein imbalance: Cow’s milk contains on average 3X the protein than human milk that can create metabolic imbalances. Ideally it was not meant for human consumption.
5. Cancer causing Toxins: Milking cows are given antibiotics and bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to artificially increase milk production. rBGH increases blood levels of the insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) that has been clinically linked to several cancers.

Cow’s milk is an excellent food source for calves and it helps it to increase its weight almost 8X times from the 100 pounds at birth. But unlike humans, once calves are weaned (taken off feeding), they never drink milk again. Similarly human infants, once weaned should be gradually moved on to other sources from where they can get nutrients necessary for bones and overall development.

Studies that prove facts presented above:

1. Samuel Epstein, MD, Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition. In an article titled “Monsanto’s Hormonal Milk Poses Serious Risks of Breast Cancer, Besides Other Cancers” (June 21, 1998).
2. “These data do not support the hypothesis that higher consumption of milk or other food sources of calcium by adult women protects against hip or forearm fractures.” (Source: Feskanich D, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA. Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in women: a 12-year prospective study. American Journal of Public Health. 1997).
3. “Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in old age. (“Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Hip Fractures in the Elderly”. American Journal of Epidemiology. Vol. 139, No. 5, 1994).

Most naturopaths believe that the harmful effects far outweigh the beneficial ones (which are also been debated). If milk products are sensibly avoided and other foods used to supplement for these, there are far reaching health benefits, especially in old age. Listen to what your body is telling you about milk consumption, and always respect the answer that is given.

Watch this Video:

Dr. Mark Hyman, MD is an American physician, scholar and author. He is the founder and medical director of the UltraWellness Center and a columnist for The Huffington Post. Watch him in the video below giving six reasons you should avoid milk and explains why it may be at the very root of your health problems: