Although the American Heart Association still recommends adults stick to fat-free or low-fat dairy products. This here is what I mean when I say the boards which are supposed to be looking out for our true wellness keep misleading people and enriching the dairy industry. If the consistent consumption of cow's milk which is meant for calves causes a ton of imbalances and diseases in humans yet they recommend that we take one type or the other, isn't that insane?
Dairy and dairy products are still linked to many several diseases and discomforting human conditions because we aren't calves.
The best and ideal milk for babies is human breast milk. Humans' growth from infancy takes a couple of years with strategic developments along our years of living. Cows on the other hand can grow to weigh over a hundred kilograms in the space of a year. That is what their milk helps them achieve. Likening cow's milk with human's, cow milk contains double the amount of protein found in human breastmilk, and four times our calcium. This is what is responsible for their rapid growth in a year. Just as dairy is ideal and responsible for the calves' rapid growth, so is human breastmilk the perfect and ideal fuel for us humans. Babies actually. We have to respect our unique life cycle.
Because the human brain develops faster, breastmilk contains high brain-boosting polyunsaturated fats. Five times more than the cows' milk actually. Even though we grow at a slower pace compared to cows. That means that (human) milk is only required in infant humans, and at most for the first two years. Milk also carries important chemical ‘messengers’ molecules that build and commands the infant’s immune systems.
These features have evolved over thousands of years and are vital in terms of health and disease. Let us take a look at the high disease risks that dairy and dairy products put on us all when we consume them inappropriately.
Effects of prolonged milk consumption.
Allergies
Milk allergies are not the same as lactose intolerance. I will tell you about lactose intolerance shortly. Allergies are when the body's immune system fights the protein compounds in milk. Dairy and eggs are the most common triggers for eczema.
Also, the hypersensitive reaction to milk proteins can seriously affect the amount of iron in infants and young children. The proteins can induce hidden gastrointestinal bleeding that may lead to iron deficiency anaemia, which may affect 40 per cent of otherwise healthy-looking infants.
Breast and prostate cancer
Studies have found that an increased oestrogen level in the body has been the major trigger for breast and prostate cancers in women and men respectively, aside from other lifestyle factors. And guess what is responsible for this high oestrogen level? Milk, dairy products and meats.
Typically the regular western diet which is highly rich in animal food sources is a major cause. Eliminating meat, dairy and other animal products keep us away from the unwanted growth hormone - oestrogen which is liable to cause cancer growth in us.
Filling up on whole foods rich in fibre and legumes has also been seen to normalise this hormonal level. You should choose whole plant foods daily. They reduce your exposure to unwanted growth hormones and help to heal any damage caused earlier. Additionally, flaxseeds, turmeric and other antioxidant-rich foods contain cancer-inhibiting abilities.
Lactose Intolerance
This is simply when the sugar in milk (lactose) is not able to be efficiently digested in the body. This usually come with a series of discomfort. Many have failed to see that dairy has been the reason until they are asked to try to stop dairy, and they no longer experience those discomforts. lactose intolerance could be easily missed even by most physicians. But this only validates the fact that we are not calves.
Heart disease
Saturated fats are the major culprits in heart diseases, the world's number one killer. Saturated fats are highly present in all animal foods including milk and cheese. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has linked heart disease to poor diets; high in simple carbohydrates, saturated fats and no adequate fibre-rich food items. Animal foods are highly rich in these saturated fats and they make their way rapidly into the body flooding and clogging the arteries thereby restricting blood flow and rupturing blood vessels. This may lead to stroke, hypertension, kidney inefficiency, etc.
Plant fats like those in nuts, avocado and seeds contain various unsaturated fats that are helpful and do not cause health complications.
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes which is caused by poor diet and lack of exercise has been seen to be a result of obesity which is caused by an excess fat deposit in the body. Milk also adds to the body's cholesterol load.
Studies have linked type 1 diabetes to early exposure of humans to cow’s milk proteins. It is thought that certain proteins found in cow’s milk may trigger an autoimmune reaction whereby our own immune cells attack these foreign dairy proteins, and inadvertently destroy our insulin-producing pancreatic cells, thus leading to the body's inability to produce insulin and hence, causing diabetes.
Arthritis
Arthritis is basically caused by inflamed cells. Cow's milk is found to contain inflammatory properties which makes them a cause and risk factor for arthritis. they also worsen the case in some patients. With whole plant foods including vegetables of various forms, especially the cruciferous ones that contain sulforaphane (kale, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflowers, etc), arthritis symptoms can be reduced and prevented after all.
Bone health
Plot twist: those countries which consume the most dairy foods and animal protein have the highest hip fracture rates. Dairy products do not protect your bones. Despite what lies the dairy industry has paid to tell us. Cow’s milk is not the best source of calcium and your bone health would benefit enormously by switching to plant-based sources like kale, chia seed, okra, onions, cabbage, spinach, avocado, and nuts. You get stronger and healthier bones too when you engage in weighted exercises and other fitness routines.
Cancer
A poor and unhealthy diet may be responsible for one-third of all cancer deaths and is the second largest preventable risk factor for cancer, coming close behind smoking.
Western diets containing meat and dairy, sugar and highly processed food products, can increase the risk of prostate, breast and colon cancers. Dairy always contains at least two of these foods listed above.
On the other hand, whole grain plant-based diets, which include fibre, antioxidants and other functional nutrients, lower the risk. The World Cancer Research Fund says that “…most diets that are protective against cancer are mainly made up from foods of plant origin”.
IGF-1 signalling trouble
Milk increases levels of the growth hormone IGF-1 in our bodies by stimulating its production in the liver. Increased IGF-1 levels are linked to cancers of the bowel, breast and prostate. It may also transform pre-existing or benign tumours into a more aggressive form of cancer.
The summary is that IGF-1 production when we eat more animal foods and their products puts us at a higher risk of various cancer formation and the fuelling of existing ones.
Acne (breakouts)
Cow’s milk and their products like cheese and cream can increase our insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels which in turn raise the secretion of certain enzymes and hormones which causes sebaceous excretion that results in acne. In most cases, your acne is a reaction to a thing you ate. It all starts with consuming animal food. This could be why some bodybuilders, who take whey supplements also get acne. You too can give it a try.
“But keep in mind that eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of green leafy vegetables, legumes and nuts can better help you get the calcium, fats and protein you need daily rather than relying too much on dairy or meat which comes with baggage.
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