From an early age we are taught that milk is natural and healthy. Those who criticise vegan parents often do so because they believe children need to drink milk to develop strong teeth and bones. This belief is also held by the government which provides milk cartons or bottles to all state primary schools for the younger pupils.
The fact is that regular consumption of milk and dairy products contributes to a wide range of conditions from constipation to coronary heart disease. Eating dairy products is thought to significantly increase your chances of developing certain cancers as well as kidney and gallstones. Milk is thought to cause and aggravate Crohn's disease, migraines and colic and is the most common allergy trigger. Lactose intolerance is also on the increase with 10% of Northern Europeans, 50% of Mediterraneans, 75% of Afro-Caribbeans and a staggering 95% of Asians thought to be affected.
Read on for an A-Z guide to the disasters of dairy products.
Acne- A recent survey of 47 acne sufferers revealed a connection between dairy products and acne thought to be caused by the high levels of hormones milk contains
Asthma- In the 1970's only one in 50 children had asthma but now one in 8 is affected. Milk is thought to contribute to asthma because asthma is often triggered by allergies and milk is a common allergen.
Eczema- Eczema is a painful skin condition which affects many children in the UK. Up to 30% of sufferers suffer worse attacks when they eat certain foods, particularly milk and eggs.
Cancer- Every year one in four people in the UK are killed by cancer. After smoking, a poor diet is the most common cause of cancer. Milk contains high levels of animal hormones which are thought to be a contributing factor.
Coronary Heart Disease- A high cholesterol level and a high intake of saturated fat contributes greatly to severe heart problems such as CHD and milk is high in both cholesterol and saturated fat.
Crohn's Disease- This chronic bowel disease which affects 1 in every 1000 people in the UK is thought to be caused and aggravated by a bacteria called MAP which often infects cows and survives pasteurisation.
Diabetes- Use of dairy formula milk in infancy and drinking milk in childhood or adolescense is thought to dramatically increase your risk of Type 1 diabetes while regular consumption of dairy products is thought to be the reason why more youngsters than ever before are developing Type 2 diabetes.
Ear Infections- there is thought to be a strong link between food allergies in children and severe ear infections which can potentially lead to whole or partial hearing loss. Milk is one of the most common childhood food allergies.
Food Poisoning- Each year an estimated 5 million people require hospital treatment for food poisioning. The vast majority of cases are caused by contaminated animal products including cows milk.
Gallstones- The vast majority of gallstones and kidney stones are diet-related. A high fat intake and high cholesterol as well as regular consumption of animal products are thought to be the main causes.
Lactose Intolerance- As stated above, over half of the world's population are lactose intolerant with symptoms including bloating and internal bleeding.
Migraines- Migraines or severe headaches accompanied by dizziness and disorientation are thought to be triggered by certain foods including milk.
Obesity- These days more children and teens than ever before are obese. Dairy products are high in cholesterol and saturated 'bad' fats but low in unsaturated or 'good' fats which are a major factor in weight gain.
Osteoporosis- Osteoporosis or 'brittle bone disease' is currently on the increase in the over 50's but more and more young people are being affected too. We are encouraged to drink milk to keep our bones strong and healthy but it actually contributes to the problem by raising the blood's acidity level causing calcium to be leeched from the bones to neuteralise it.
Far from being the 'wonder' food the dairy industry would have us believe it is, milk is a harmful and unnatural part of our diet which we can easily live without. There are no nutrients available from milk which cannot be obtained from healthier plant sources and milk is packed with 'nasties' we just don't need- cholesterol, saturated fat and hormones. There's often pus and blood too from the cow's infected udders!
It's not surprising really, is it? Milk is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of a calf which are very different to those of a human child or adult. The only milk we need is that of our mother and only during the early years of our life. We are the only species that continues to drink milk after weaning and the only species which drinks milk intended for another species.
If you are still not convinced- why not!!! Next time you go to pour yourself a glass of milk, imagine suckling it directly from a cow's udders like a calf would do. If THAT mental picture is not enough to put you off milk for life and this disease info. hasn't convinced you, I don't know what will.