I published this blog a few years ago and there was quite a backlash from the area dairy producers. However, I continue to see the detrimental effects of dairy consumption on some people. So you will have to make up your own mind on this topic.

Before I begin, let me extend my apologies to the dairy farmers. I grew up on a dairy farm, and I understand how milk and dairy products have become a huge part of our culture and a huge industry in our country. However, from a natural health point of view, there are a lot of problems associated with the use of milk and dairy products. Wouldn’t it be great if the American Dairy Association, the milk producers and natural health advocates would work together to find a solution to these concerns?

One of my old teachers used to say, “Milk is for baby cows.” What he meant was that humans are the only mammals on the planet who drink the milk of another species. We are the only mammals who continue to drink milk after we get teeth and are weaned. About the time we get teeth, our digestive enzymes begin to change so we can digest foods other than mother’s milk.

People often ask, “If I do not drink milk how will I get my calcium?” I ask back, “Where do cows get calcium?” The answer is, “From the grass they eat.” We should be getting our calcium from our food, especially green vegetables—just like cows do. And we can use supplements, if needed.

The issues with milk include:

Lactose intolerance. This means that some people do not make lactase, which is the enzyme that digests milk sugar. If that is missing, the milk sugar (lactose) goes undigested into the small intestine, causing diarrhea, cramps, and gastro-intestinal upset.

Casein. This is the protein in milk. There are two types of casein: A1 and A2. Many people are sensitive to A1 casein. A2 casein, which most people can handle, is found in the milk of most goats and Jersey or Guernsey cows. Every child with recurring ear infections, asthma, and allergies should be tested for delayed sensitivity to dairy, which often causes respiratory problems.

Lectin. Lectin comes from the left-over components of the immune system of the plants and animals that we use for food. Based on our blood type, lectins can cause inflammation that will create problems in our genetically weakest system.

Xanthine oxidase. This is an enzyme that is released in free form during the process of homogenizing milk. In its free form, this enzyme is highly acidic, and any of the calcium benefits from drinking milk are used up trying to buffer the acidity of this unbound enzyme.

Osteoporosis. The three countries with the highest dairy and beef consumption are United States, Australia, and Sweden. And they have the most incidences of osteoporosis. Any connection? Yes, calcium from our bones is depleted because it is used to neutralize the acidity of meat, coffee, black tea, sugar, starches, processed milk, and other dairy products such as aged cheeses.

Use the “eliminate, challenge, and observe” method I described earlier. Try going dairy-free for two weeks, then consume some dairy and see what happens in your body. If your body doesn’t react within four days, then it’s apparently okay to continue with dairy in your diet. But continue to monitor your body for possible dairy-related issues in the future.

The pulse test also works. Consume no milk products for 24 hours. Then sit at rest for five minutes, check your pulse, then drink milk or eat some dairy product. Check your pulse at five and ten minutes. If your pulse goes up ten points or more, you are experiencing a reaction.

Case Study: One of our pediatric patients with ADHD had a pulse change from 74 to 128 after one glass of milk.

Experiment. See if milk might be harming you.

Put Your Health in Your Own Hands.

I am not the only one singing this song. Listen to your own body. Here is another health care provider’s point of view