Milk does the body...what?

We have all grown up believing that a healthy diet must contain milk and other dairy products to get the calcium we need. Not true! (click here for other calcium rich foods).

I must admit one of my most favorite all time foods is the wondrous and extremely varied world of cheese, but for many individuals dairy can cause all kinds of problems. As adults the majority of people are lactose intolerant. In other words many people do not produce the enzyme "lactase" needed to breakdown the lactose sugar found in milk. Some of us stop producing this enzyme as we age. This lack of the ability to breakdown lactose can cause all sorts of digestive troubles -- gas, bloating and diarrhea. Certain groups of people may be more genetically prone to these problems. Lactose intolerance is quite common in many parts of Asia. When was the last time you had a cheese sauce in a Chinese restaurant?

For others problems with dairy may be more insidious and go for years unnoticed or at least without making the connection to their health conditions. They may be plagued with vague symptoms like fatigue, pain or headaches sometimes days after consuming an offending food. This is the case of food sensitivities or commonly known as food allergies. These subtle allergies to foods can develop from any food we commonly consume. Dairy is a common culprit because it is consumed frequently and is often given to babies when they are more susceptible to developing food sensitivities. There are other individuals with dairy related issues, for example people with autism are much improved on dairy free diets. Milk proteins are also thought to contribute to the production of thicker mucus -- individuals suffering from allergies and chronic sinus issues as well as those with cystic fibrosis may find some relief from going dairy free.

Now I believe in balance and I am a strong advocate of individual differences. For many individuals, dairy may be a fine food and cause them no problems. Peoples from India and parts of Europe have included dairy in their traditional diets for hundreds maybe thousands of years. Foods such as kefir and yogurt can be powerful and healthy foods for certain conditions (Plus did I mention I love cheese).

The biggest problem with dairy today may be the widespread used of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST and rBGH). This hormone is used in the dairy industry to increase the production of milk from dairy cows and may pose a health risk to those who consume that milk. It is illegal in many countries but is used widespread here in the USA. The research related to possible dangers this hormone may pose have been ignored and probably suppressed. I suggest to all of my patients, family and friends that if they do eat dairy products, eat organic or at least products free of these hormones. Check out this two part video about the dangers and politics revolving around these issue. I think you will find it quite enlightening.

Part 1




Part 2




Dairy products may have a place in some individual's diets. If you choose to include it as part of your diet, just make certain you are buying and consuming your dairy from good quality sources and free of rBST (rBGH).