Refractory |
MilkCancer rates match milk consumption throughout the world.
People should avoid milk and cheese as much as tobacco, a scientist has said. Also, by Jane Plant - One of her books:
Milk Myth #1: Milk Helps Build Strong BonesAmerican parents pass this myth on to their children, and misguided nutritionists reinforce it. Actually, milk and other dairy products weaken the bones and accelerate osteoporosis. That's right, consumption of milk causes the very condition it's advertised to prevent. Milk Myth #2: Milk is the Ultimate Health DrinkThe notion that milk is healthy for you is, again, "udder" nonsense. While eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains has been documented to lower the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and cancer, the widely touted health benefits of dairy products are questionable at best. In fact, dairy products are clearly liked as a cause of osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity, cancer, allergies and diabetes. Dairy products are anything but "health" foods. Milk Myth #3: Milk is Necessary for Growing ChildrenOh really? Here are three reasons kids and milk don't mix. First, milk is the leading cause of iron-deficiency anemia in infants, and, in fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics now discourages giving children milk before their first birthday. Second, it has been shown that milk consumption in childhood contributes to the development of Type-I diabetes. Certain proteins in milk resemble molecules on the beta cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin. In some cases, the immune system makes antibodies to the milk protein that mistakenly attack and destroy the beta cells. MILK MYTH #4: Milk is Pure and WholesomeAs if milk weren't bad enough already, the chemical giant, Monsanto Company, and the FDA have made it far worse. In 1994 the FDA approved the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), a genetically engineered hormone from Monsanto that increases milk production in cows by 10-25%. Milk from cows treated with rbST contains elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), one of the most powerful growth factors ever identified. IGF-I occurs naturally in both cows and humans and, in a fluke of nature, is identical between these two species. While IGF-I doesn't cause cancer, it definitely stimulates its growth. Recent studies have found a seven-fold increase in the risk of breast cancer in women with the highest IGF-I levels, and a four-fold increase in prostate cancer in men with the highest levels. Not only does rbST elevate your exposure to these growth factors, it also increases infections of the cow's udders. Therefore, cows treated with rbST are given more antibiotics, so higher traces of these drugs, as well as pus and bacteria from infected udders, are found in their milk. In his recent book, MILK - The Deadly Poison (Argus Publishing, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1998), Robert Cohen, a tenacious investigative reporter, describes a level of corruption between Monsanto, the FDA and the Department of Agriculture that, in my opinion, warrants formal investigation and action against several individuals involved. This book documents how data were falsified and studies fabricated, and tells how the scientific community and public have been misled regarding rbST, its effects on our health, and the amounts of this hormone present in milk. Folks, you won't believe this book. Robert Cohen gives names, dates and document numbers that are irrefutable. As you would expect, Monsanto is playing rough. In Florida, they put pressure on a FOX television station, which then fired two award-winning journalists with over 20 years experience for attempting to report on the dark side of bovine growth hormone. These two reporters are now suing the network. Monsanto has vigorously attacked those who simply want to label their dairy product as "hormone free." This whole mess is disgusting. It shouldn't surprise you that all of Europe and Canada have banned this hormone and we are the only major industrial country espousing and using it. To get a copy of the June/July 1998 issue of SunCoast Eco report, in which this story is reported, send a check for $3 to Editor-SunCoast Eco Report, P.O. Box 35500, Sarasota, FL, 34278. If you have access to the Internet, for more information on the suit, go to www.foxBGHsuit.com. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LIMITING YOUR DAIRY INTAKE
I strongly recommend that you get more information on the dangers of dairy products by reading Robert Cohen's book, available from the Dairy Education Board (USA phone codes) 1-888-NOTMILK (888-668-6455). That, my friends, represents half of the October Health & Healing digest. Dr. Whitaker dedicates the remainder of this issue of his newsletter to osteoporosis and heart disease. I would like to quote just a portion of Whitaker's comments about bone disease: "In only two generations, the rate of hip fractures in the U.S. has quadrupled, and it is currently one of the highest rates in the world. Americans are also near the top of the chart for dairy consumption. Would someone out there please tell me why we keep telling our children that dairy foods strengthen their bones? Excess protein intake-not only from milk but all animal protein sources-increases the need for calcium to neutralize acidic protein breakdown products, destroying bone in the process. A lifetime of a high-protein diet usually eats away at your bones. Lower protein vegetarian diets are associated with significantly higher bone mineral density. So the first and most important dietary step is to eat less protein. This generally means cutting down on milk...Although dairy products contain calcium, little of it is deposited in the bones-instead the calcium is used to neutralize the acidity brought on by milk protein." The following information is from the new issue of Natural Health, July/Aug 1994, "Don't Drink Your Milk".Dairy products cause or contribute to asthma, hives, allergies, arthritis, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease [see note], and other problems.
Now some material on specific health problems (p. 70):Galactose. Ovarian cancer rates parallel dairy-eating patterns around the world. The culprit seems to be galactose, the simple sugar broken down from the milk sugar lactose. Animals fed galactose go on to develop ovarian cancer. According to Boston gynecologist Daniel Cramer, women with this cancer often have trouble breaking down galactose. About 10% of the US population lacks the enzymes to metabolize galactose. Says Cramer, "Since you can't tell whether you lack these enzymes (unlike lactose intolerance, in which there are clear signs of digestive upset), I just tell my patients they don't need dairy." Yogurt, cheese and other fermented dairy products, as well as those containing Lactaid, are the richest sources of galactose.
Pesticides.Pesticides concentrate in milk of both farm animals and humans. A study by the Environmental Defense Fund found widespread pesticide contamination of human breast milk among 1400 women in forty six states. The levels of contamination were twice as high among the meat-and-dairy-eating women as among vegetarians. Perhaps the biggest health problem with cow's milk arises from the proteins in it: Cow's milk protein damages the human immune system.Amino acids, the units that make up proteins, are building blocks for all living cells. When protein in our food is properly broken down by the digestive system into amino acids, it does no harm to the immune system. Some food proteins, however, are absorbed into the blood fully undigested, provoking an immune response. Repeated exposure to these proteins disrupts normal immune function and may eventually lead to isease.
Cow's milk contains many proteins that are poorly digested and harmful to the immune system."Dairy is a tremendous mucus producer and a burden on the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems," says Christiane Northrup, a gynecologist based in Yarmouth, Maine. "If women eliminate dairy foods for an extended period and eat a balanced diet, they suffer less from colds and sinus infections."
This last point is the most important. Most people get way, way too much protein. Excess protein intake leeches calcium from the bones. Dairy products have lots of protein. Therefore, consuming more dairy products in an attempt to get more calcium can actually contribute to osteoporosis! Look at the facts in layman's terms. westerners eat huge amounts of dairy products: pizza, ice cream, and other dairy treats are heavily advertised and almost universally enjoyed. Yet, we have a high rate of osteoporosis. Now look at Asian and African countries, where people have traditionally eaten minimal dairy products. The people there have far lower rates of osteoporosis! It should be common sense, but the government agencies are trying to confuse the issue. The Dairy Council lobbyists have the money, not the tofu or sesame seed lobbyists. Don't believe them. You can have strong, healthy bones without drinking a drop of milk, and without obsessing over how many milligrams of calcium you're getting from vegetables or other sources. I don't expect you to take my word alone on this. Here are a few sources, each of which point to many studies confirming and explaining what I have said above:
If you are still consuming cow's milk, or worse yet, feeding cow's milk to your children, please read the following quotes
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine:"If you think you or your kids need milk to grow strong bones, it's time for a second opinion. A major research study published in Pediatrics in 2000 showed that getting extra calcium—from milk or anything else—doesn't make any difference at all in bone density. And evidence shows that dairy product consumption contributes to obesity, ear infections, constipation, respiratory problems, heart disease, and some cancers. For strong bones, kids need exercise, sunlight, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. And there's healthy calcium in fortified juices, soymilk, greens, beans, and many other foods that avoid milk's problems." Dairy Education Board:"Oh yes...organic milk. The healthiest milk from the healthiest cow is naturally loaded with lactoferrins, immunoglobulins, and growth hormones. Horizon's organic milk contains animal fat and cholesterol, dioxins, and bacteria. The amount of somatic cells (pus) in organic milk is lower than milk from non-organic cows, but it's still dead white blood cells and dead bacteria. Ask yourself this question. Does organic human breast milk sound like a delicious drink for an adult human? Instinctively, most people know that there are substances in breast milk that are not intended for their adult bodies. Same goes for pig's milk and dog's milk. Same for cow's milk. "Some people may not be able to tolerate lactose, a milk sugar. One hundred percent of humans are allergic to casein, a milk proteinEighty percent of the protein in Horizon's organic dairy products is casein, the same glue used to adhere a label to a bottle of beer. Eat casein and your body produces histamines, then mucous."
Dr. Benjamin Spock:"Cow’s milk has become a point of controversy among doctors and nutritionists. There was a time when it was considered very desirable, but research has forced us to rethink this recommendation. While there are still disagreements among scientists, there are several points that most everyone agrees on. "First, most green leafy vegetables and beans have a form of calcium that is absorbed as well or even a bit better than that in milk. They also have iron, vitamins, complex carbohydrate, and fiber which are generally lacking in milk. "Second, dairy products contribute to a surprising number of health problems. They can impair a child’s ability to absorb iron and in very small children can even cause subtle blood loss from the digestive tract. Combined with the fact that milk has virtually no iron of its own, the result is an increased risk of iron deficiency. "Cow’s milk proteins are a common cause of colic, and now the American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that there is evidence that cow’s milk may well contribute to childhood-onset diabetes. Some children have sensitivities to milk proteins that show up as respiratory problems, chronic ear problems, or skin conditions." John A McDougall, MD"In addition to the scientific and medical evidence against dairy products, we can observe the way milk is used by other animals. No other animal in its natural environment drinks milk after it is weaned. Furthermore, in nature no young animal drinks the milk of another species." Joseph D Weissman, MD"Under ordinary circumstances, vegetable sources of calcium are adequate. Almost all diets contain calcium in amounts above the threshold of human needs; a diet lacking in calcium is virtually impossible to find." Dairy Education Board:Do you wonder why it is that cow's milk contains so much calcium? After all, cow's do not drink milk. Where then, do they get their calcium? The answer is that plants (veggies) are loaded with calcium. Cows eat plants. Humans should, too. In order to absorb calcium, the body needs comparable amounts of another mineral element, magnesium. Magnesium is the center atom of chlorophyll. Milk and dairy products contain only small amounts of magnesium. Without the presence of magnesium, the body only absorbs 25 percent of the available dairy calcium content. The remainder of the calcium spells trouble. Without magnesium, excess calcium is utilized by the body in injurious ways. The body uses calcium to build the mortar on arterial walls which becomes atherosclerotic plaques. Excess calcium is converted by the kidneys into painful stones which grow in size like pearls in oysters, blocking our urinary tracts. Excess calcium contributes to arthritis; painful calcium buildup often is manifested as gout. Osteoporosis is NOT a problem that should be associated with lack of calcium intake. Osteoporosis results from calcium loss. The massive amounts of protein in milk result in a 50 percent loss of calcium in the urine. In other words, by doubling your protein intake there will be a loss of 1-1.5 percent in skeletal mass per year in postmenopausal women. The calcium contained in leafy green vegetables is more easily absorbed than the calcium in milk, and plant proteins do not result in calcium loss the same way as do animal proteins. Human breast milk contains 33 milligrams of calcium per 100-gram portion and potato chips contain 40 milligrams!Calcium content of foods (per 100-gram portion) (100 grams equals around 3.5 ounces): 1. Human Breast Milk 33 mg |