We have heard since we were little that we needed to drink milk for strong bones and that it was healthy for us. That advertising campaign might not have been entirely accurate, at least not with recent finding. First of all, much of the commercial dairy products we buy today have hormones, antibiotics and other "things" we might not want. It is possible that milk is responsible for health problems ranging from acne to rheumatoid arthritis.
Milk is Not a Health Food
The first reason to avoid milk, is that it is not a healthy food. Milk is not necessary for our health, and in many ways could be harmful to our health. And we have not been drinking milk that long. And many humans to this day remain lactose intolerant and cannot drink milk. Milk and everything made with milk contains the following not so healthy items:
- Saturated fat
- Cholesterol
- Antibiotics
- Lactose
- Pus
- Manure
- Pesticides
- Hormones
Milk and all dairy products might be one of the unhealthiest food items you could possibly eat. It has been linked to the following health issues and diseases:
- Type I diabetes
- Cancer
- Parkinson's disease
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Acne and skin problems
- Chemicals in Milk and Dairy Products
Most dairy products come from the milk of dairy cows. It makes sense that what the dairy cows eat, drink and are given is what we eat and drink in dairy products. One of the worst or most worrisome chemicals found in dairy products is recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) and rBST.
Recombinant bovine growth hormone, banned in many countries, is a genetically engineered hormone from Monsanto, which makes some milk and dairy products genetically engineered food [1].
rBGH causes dairy cows to produce more milk and is now known to raise our risk for cancer, especially breast cancer. The consumer uproar over this has caused some companies to stop using dairy products from the companies that use rBGH and will usually say on their labels if they do not.
The use of rBGH in dairy cows can cause illnesses in the cows which in turn cause the dairy farmer to use more antibiotics for the ill cows. This causes us to ingest more and more antibiotics in the dairy products we consumer.
Not Just rGBH in Dairy Products
IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor) is a normal and natural growth hormone in dairy milk. It is supposed to help baby cows grow quickly. Once a cow is past the weaning stage, they no longer need milk.
Why should humans ingest this growth hormone their entire life. IFG-1 can also promote the growth of certain cancer cells including colon cancer.
"The human body has no more need for cows' milk than it does for dogs' milk, horses' milk, or giraffes' milk." - Michael Klaper, M.D.
The use of rBGH raises the levels of IGF-1 in cows, causing cows to become ill, forcing dairy farmers to use more antibiotics for the cows which creates more pus and that is what we can get (in small levels) in a glass of milk and dairy products.
Milk and Dairy Do Not Prevent Osteoporosis
And now the milk industry has created this myth that we need to drink milk into our old age so we don’t get osteoporosis. They make it sound that if we don’t drink milk or eat cheese for calcium, that our bones will become brittle and break, when in fact, more milk consumption has been found to lead to more bone fractures.
Even though Americans drink plenty of milk and eat plenty of dairy products, osteoporosis is still a major problem. In fact, the countries with the highest milk and dairy consumption also have the highest osteoporosis rates.
Several studies have confirmed that a higher intake of calcium from dairy products do not protect us from bone fractures in either men or women [2, 3].
Dairy Products and Cancer
Milk and all dairy products have been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Milk and dairy products raise the level of IGF-1 in our body which can increase the risk of several types of cancer. [4]
It is the animal proteins in dairy, whey and casein, that are thought to increase the risk of cancer. So not only is milk and all dairy products unhealthy, but also the whey protein drinks so many consider to be healthy.
It is the animal proteins in dairy, whey and casein, that are thought to increase the risk of cancer. So not only is milk and all dairy products unhealthy, but also the whey protein drinks so many consider to be healthy.
Dairy Products and Parkinson’s Disease
There is now a link between milk and Parkinson’s disease. One large study in Sweden found that consuming more than 1.3 ounces of milk per day increased the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
This was only one of numerous studies that found a link between dairy products and Parkinson’s disease. The conclusion of a 2017 study found that “Frequent consumption of dairy products appears to be associated with a modest increased risk of PD in women and men.” [5]
Dairy Products Cause Acne
The same IGF-1 in milk and dairy products that cause other health problems can also cause acne and skin problems, if not cause acne, it can certainly aggravate acne in many people. Dairy products like cheese, milk, ice cream, and even yogurt contain hormones from the milk used in these products.
These hormones can cause an increase in oil production which then clogs the pores of your skin leading to acne and other skin problems like rosacea. [6]
Dairy Products and Arthritis
Dairy products have recently been linked to worsening arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent studies have found that bacteria in milk and dairy products (and beef) can lead to or worsen arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Along with arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, dairy products can also worsen or lead to Crohn's disease. [7]
Since arthritis and Crohn's disease are both diseases caused by inflammation, and dairy is known to cause inflammation in the body, like other animal foods do. Many people have found relief from both arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by switching to a plant-based whole food diet, completely free of animal foods, processed foods, and vegetable oils.
Milk and Multiple Sclerosis
It has long been thought that proteins in milk can cause multiple sclerosis to worsen. Studies by Dr. Roy Swank as early as the 1950s found that if those in the early stages of multiple sclerosis went on a low fat diet, there was no more progression of the disease in 95% of the patients [8].
The protein in milk mimics the protein in our body, specifically in the myelin sheath that wraps around our nerves. They act as a protection much like insulation around an electrical wire.
Since these milk proteins mimic our own protein in the myelin sheath, our own antibodies attack and break down the myelin sheath. This breakdown is how multiple sclerosis begins.
Other studies have found that there is a strong correlation between milk and MS [9].
Milk and Type I Diabetes
Type I diabetes or juvenile diabetes is different than type 2 diabetes and usually afflicts children. Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease that where the body attacks its own insulin-producing cells. The pancreas cannot product insulin.
There are studies that found an association between a protein in cow’s milk, A1 beta-casein, and type I diabetes. It is important to note that only cow’s milk has this particular A1 beta-casein protein.
One studies conclusion found that, “Early cow's milk exposure may be an important determinant of subsequent type I diabetes and may increase the risk approximately 1.5 times.”[10]
Today, you can buy cow’s milk that does not have the A1 beta-casein protein. Though, considering all of the health problems now associated with milk, it would be healthier to use plant-based milks like oat milk, hemp milk, almond milk or soy milk.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease and Milk
There is a link between rheumatoid arthritis and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, known as MAP that is commonly found in beef and dairy products.
It was also found there is a link between MAP, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other autoimmune disease. MAP belongs to a family of bacteria that includes leprosy and tuberculosis (TB) and remains difficult to treat.
“It is estimated that 50% of the farms and as many as 91% of dairy herds could be infected with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP)”. [11]
Healthier Ways to Get Calcium
You can get plenty of calcium from non dairy sources in your diet by eating all kinds of beans, sesame seeds, dried figs, sweet potatoes, sardines, spinach, broccoli, collard greens, almonds, dried figs, blackstrap molasses, seaweed like wakame, and a number of calcium-fortified drinks like orange juice, almond milk, oat milk and soy milk.
Conclusion
It sure sounds healthier to just limit or eliminate all milk and dairy products than risk getting one of these terrible illnesses. I would also consider eliminated beef from your diet considering the high percentage of cows that have MAP.
You can get all of the nutrients you need from plant foods. Since cows get their nutrients exclusively from plants, so can you, while avoiding the pathogens that come along with dairy products and meat.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © 2014-2022 Sam Montana
References:
[1] Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
[2] PubMed - Owusu W, Willett WC, Feskanich D, Ascherio A, Spiegelman D, Colditz GA. Calcium intake and the incidence of forearm and hip fractures among men. J Nutr. 1997 Sep;127(9):1782-7. doi: 10.1093/jn/127.9.1782. PMID: 9278560.
[3] PubMed - Feskanich D, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz
GA. Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in women: a 12-year
prospective study. Am J Public Health. 1997 Jun;87(6):992-7. doi:
10.2105/ajph.87.6.992. PMID: 9224182; PMCID: PMC1380936.
[4] PubMed - Aune D, Navarro Rosenblatt DA, Chan DS,
Vieira AR, Vieira R, Greenwood DC, Vatten LJ, Norat T. Dairy products,
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[5] American Academy of Neurology: Intake of dairy foods and risk of Parkinson disease
[6] American Academy of Dermatology Association
[6] American Academy of Dermatology Association
[7] Science Daily - Bacteria found in milk and beef linked to rheumatoid arthritis
[8] Dr. John McDougall and Dr. Roy Swank
[9] PubMed - Malosse D, Perron H, Sasco A, Seigneurin JM. Correlation between milk and dairy product consumption and multiple sclerosis prevalence: a worldwide study. Neuroepidemiology. 1992;11(4-6):304-12. doi: 10.1159/000110946. PMID: 1291895.
[8] Dr. John McDougall and Dr. Roy Swank
[9] PubMed - Malosse D, Perron H, Sasco A, Seigneurin JM. Correlation between milk and dairy product consumption and multiple sclerosis prevalence: a worldwide study. Neuroepidemiology. 1992;11(4-6):304-12. doi: 10.1159/000110946. PMID: 1291895.
[10] PubMed - Gerstein HC. Cow's milk exposure and type I
diabetes mellitus. A critical overview of the clinical literature.
Diabetes Care. 1994 Jan;17(1):13-9. doi: 10.2337/diacare.17.1.13. PMID:
8112184.
[11] PubMed - Frie MC, Sporer KRB, Kirkpatrick BW, Coussens
PM. T and B cell activation profiles from cows with and without Johne's
disease in response to in vitro stimulation with Mycobacterium avium
subspecies paratuberculosis. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2017
Dec;193-194:50-56. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2017.10.005. Epub 2017 Nov 7.
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