Pasteurized, homogenized cow’s milk is being promoted by medical doctors, governments, schools, and dairy farmers as a perfect and complete food for children. It contains many vitamins and minerals in a one-stop package: calcium and vitamin D help bones and teeth grow strong, B vitamins play a vital role in the development of the nervous system, protein aids in muscle development, and vitamin A maintains normal vision and skin.

Or does it?

In practice, I have seen many health conditions improve dramatically with the removal of dairy (especially cow’s milk) from the diet. These conditions range from, but are not limited to, eczema, asthma, IBS, migraines, frequent colds, chronic ear infections, ADHD, and arthritis. Although some changes may be subtle, there will be no negative side effects with the removal of milk from your diet.

Humans are the only adult mammals who drink milk, and the only ones who drink milk from a species other than their own. The proteins in milk are larger than human milk, thus they are not recognized by the body and not easy to assimilate. This causes gas, bloating, and mucus production (both in the intestines and respiratory tract.) Animal products are also acidic. Since our bodies are designed to be slightly alkaline, calcium is actually leached from our bones to neutralize the acidic state caused by drinking milk. This can lead to weaker bones and osteoporosis. Furthermore, the process of pasteurization destroys many enzymes, vitamins, and beneficial bacteria (such as acidophilus) naturally found in raw milk.

Here are a few more concerns: most people are drinking non-organic milk. Cows are pumped full of antibiotics to “prevent” infections. A daily dose of antibiotics actually weakens your immune system and sets the stage for “super bugs” that are difficult to treat with medicinal doses of antibiotics. Finally, hormones found in cow’s milk are promoting earlier puberty and childhood obesity.

So, what can you do to ensure you are getting enough calcium in your diet?

• drink herbal teas such as nettle
• include leafy greens in your diet such as kale, spinach, mustard and collard greens
• eat nuts and seeds such as almonds and sesame seeds
• drink almond milk or fortified soy milk
• fermented dairy products such as organic plain yogurt are easy to digest and provide beneficial bacteria for the gut
• organic goat cheese and milk do not need to be pasteurized and the proteins are better assimilated by humans
• prevent excess calcium loss by abstaining from carbonated drinks (they contain phosphorus which leaches calcium from bones) and eating plenty of vegetables
• vitamin D will help with absorption of calcium
  • during the summer months, try for 15 minutes of direct sunlight daily (with no sunscreen applied)
  • during the winter months (October - April) you will need to supplement