We need dairy, right????
While I do believe in Bio-individuality (one man’s food is another man’s poison) The facts are that about 75 percent of the world’s population is genetically unable to properly digest milk and other dairy products — a problem called lactose intolerance. The majority of humans naturally stop producing significant amounts the enzyme needed to properly metabolize lactose, the sugar in milk — sometime between the ages of two and five. Our bodies just weren’t made to digest milk on a regular basis. Instead, most scientists agree that it’s better for us to get calcium, potassium, protein, and fats from other food sources, such as whole plant foods — vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and seaweed.
According to Dr. Willett (professor of Nutrition at Harvard University) who has done many studies and reviewed the research on this topic, there are many reasons to pass up milk, including:
1. Milk doesn’t reduce fractures. Contrary to popular belief, eating dairy products has never been shown to reduce fracture risk.
2. Less dairy, better bones. Countries with lowest rates of dairy and calcium consumption (like those in Africa and Asia) have the lowest rates of osteoporosis.
3. Calcium isn’t as bone-protective as we thought. Studies of calcium supplementation have shown no benefit in reducing fracture risk
4. Calcium may raise cancer risk. Research shows that higher intakes of both calcium and dairy products may increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer by 30 to 50 percent.
5. Calcium has benefits that dairy doesn’t. Calcium supplements, but not dairy products, may reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• Everybody needs calcium — but probably not as much as our government’s recommended daily allowance (RDA).
• Men may not want to take calcium supplements. Supplements of calcium and vitamin D may be reasonable for women.
5 Tips for Dealing with Dairy
• Don’t rely on dairy for healthy bones. If you want healthy bones, get plenty of exercise and supplement with 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily.
• Get your calcium from food. These include dark green leafy vegetables, sesame tahini, sea vegetables, and sardines or salmon with the bones.
• Try giving up all dairy. That means eliminate milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream for two weeks and see if you feel better. You should notice improvements with your sinuses, post-nasal drip, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, energy, and weight. Then start eating dairy again and see how you feel. If you feel worse, you should try to give it up for life.
• If you can tolerate dairy, use only raw, organic dairy products. I suggest focusing on fermented products like unsweetened yogurt and kefir, occasionally.
