Monday, April 26, 2010

Milk it does a body good?

There is a misconception in our society that drinking milk will lead us to reach optimal health. Our bones will become strong and we will grow to be tall. When people think of calcium they see milk as if it is the only place on earth where this vital mineral is found. Interesting is the statistic that in countries with high dairy consumption osteoporosis is high as well. How is it then that in countries where people don't consume milk they are living long and healthy lives with strong bones?

What if drinking milk doesn't do a body good, then what?

Many people around the world lack the enzyme lactase which breaks down milk sugar (lactose) found in dairy. About 20% of people with northwest European ancestry are lactose intolerant, where as 100% of Chinese have some form of lactose intolerance. The statistics vary around the globe with the US and China being at the extreme ends of the spectrum. Dairy intolerance can cause: bloating, gas, nausea, constipation, skin conditions and more. Cow's milk causes the body to create excess mucus which can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. Also the milk protein casein has been linked to cancer. Calcium is vital to our health and yes it can be found in dairy products, but it's important to be aware of all the adverse effects that it can have to our health and to be knowledgeable to the alternative ways to get calcium into our systems.

Foods high in calcium

Sardines
Collard greens
Soy/rice milk enriched with calcium
Sesame seeds
Almonds
Broccoli
Kale
Salmon

1 comment:

  1. Is there something in calcium from milk that doesn't translate to strong bones?

    ReplyDelete