Can you imagine a cow udder-feeding her offspring and then switching over to elephant's milk when it is time for weaning? Not really. And for you gentlemen reading, don't switch off, this is not a breast-feeding promotion, I have you in mind too. If you think about it, this is exactly what humans do. We are nurtured on breast milk (for those of us fortunate ones) …..then like slap in the face, weaning time is here and all of a sudden our bodies are introduced to this new foreign product from another animal. Our bodies must think, "what for Pete's sake is this invader doing inside me?" Humans are the only mammals that drink the milk of another mammal. And it is usually none other than cow's milk. So what can I tell you about cow's milk? Hmmmm…Well, human milk has 5% calories as protein, and human babies double their birth weight in 180 days. The percentage of protein in cow's milk is 15%, in other words three times as high. Calves double their birth weight in only 47 days. Actually let me introduce you to some myths about cow's milk: It is a good source of calcium It's good for the bones Everybody drinks it so it must be OK Can help in preventing osteoporosis For goodness sake it's healthy! Actually cow's milk does have plenty of calcium but it is not the best source of calcium. OK, don't get upset and bothered if you drink cow's milk, I need you to stay calm (a chamomile tea may just be the order). To absorb calcium our bodies need a good balance in magnesium. The two minerals are like partners in crime. Unfortunately, there is way too much calcium compared to magnesium in cow's milk, which prevents the efficient absorption of calcium. It is possible to obtain all your calcium from dark green vegetables (where do you think the cow get their's from?). These vegetables also have iron, vitamins, complex carbohydrate and fibre which are generally lacking in milk. Cow's milk is one of the most allergenic foods known to man. Cow's milk allergies/intolerances have been well documented as a cause of diarrhea, cramps, bloating, gas, gastrointestinal bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia, skin rashes, atherosclerosis and acne. It is the primary cause of recurrent ear infections in children. It has also been linked to insulin dependent diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Actually a not so obvious allergic symptom is mucous in the throat…do you know what I mean?... Have you ever come across a person that is always clearing their throat during every sentence? You must be thinking, then why on earth do so many people consume it and promote it? Hey, don't shoot me, I am just the messenger! My goal here is to educate and as for politics, P.R., the media sure have another story. Why does cow's milk have so many adverse effects? Well let's look at the pasteurization process (not to mention that cows have several more stomachs than us humans). Raw milk contains many enzymes which help the body digest it. When the milk is heated (as in pasteurization) most infectious bacteria are killed, but additionally the enzymes in the milk are altered and they become functionally useless! Studies have shown that calves fed pasteurized milk die within 60 days. The other major proteins in milk such as albumin and casein are also altered during pasteurization in a way which increases their damaging effects. Did you know that casein from cow's milk is the same as the glue used to adhere labels to glass bottles? Homogenization further worsens the process. It is likely that raw milk would be an acceptable, even health promoting food for the vast majority of the population. Unfortunately it is outlawed for fear of spreading salmonella except in the state of California in the USA. Not only do you Californians get such great weather all year around but nutritionally you are just ahead of us all. If you really enjoy milk you can try and find a source that is unprocessed and raw. The risk of contamination in clean healthy cows is very low. Even in Britain, there are farmers that supply raw milk who raise their calves organically without injecting a whole plethora of hormones. Now, if you are not eating according to your metabolic type and thinking…..I may just take cow's milk out of my diet, then just ensure that you either start eating according to your metabolic type (to ensure that your body is obtaining all the nutrients it needs at the right time AND in the right amounts!) or book a consultation with a nutrition consultant before you embark on such as change. And for women with children, seeing a nutritionist should not be a choice it should be compulsory before removing cow's milk from the diet. This is because the traditional child is so poorly nourished that taking them off cow's milk can EVEN reduce their calcium levels! This may sound contra indicatory to the whole milk issue but believe you me the average diet in the UK and USA is so poor that even removing a food that is not wholesome for the human body can be detrimental, I mean at least the poorly nourished are getting some calcium. Do ensure that you get plenty of Vitamin D from elsewhere. Usually our skin converts sunshine to Vitamin D, but during the winter months either a vitamin D supplement is recommended or a holiday south of the equator! You get to choose as always! Source:www.khushmark.com Thanks to CAZ. Am Veterinary Med Assoc, 7/03 2/05 Cancer Prevention Coalition and Organic Consumers Association Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.