<\/p>\n
Millions of Americans, including many vegetarians, consume
\nlarge amounts of milk and dairy products each year. I grew up drinking milk
\nevery day, with almost every meal. Is this a bad thing, you ask? Possibly, in
\nlight of new research that indicates too much of a good thing can, indeed, be
\ntoo much. Following are 4 ways milk and dairy can negatively affect your
\nhealth.<\/p>\n
1. Osteoporosis.<\/b>
\nSurprisingly, The Harvard Nurse’s Health Study (which followed 75,000 women for
\n12 years) showed no protective effect of increased milk consumption on fracture
\nrisk for the women involved. In fact, the study found increased intake of
\ncalcium may actually lead to a higher risk for fractures instead. Several other
\nrecent studies have shown no protective effects of dairy calcium on bone at
\nall.<\/p>\n
2. Cardiovascular
\nDisease.<\/b> Many doctors and researchers argue that dairy products (cheese, ice
\ncream, butter, milk and yogurt) contribute significant amounts of fat and
\ncholesterol to our diets-too much, in fact. And there is no getting around the
\ngrowing rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in America. While some fat
\nis needed by our bodies every day for normal functioning, diets that are too
\nhigh in saturated fat have been linked to several chronic diseases, including
\nheart disease.<\/p>\n
3. Cancer.<\/b>
\nSome cancers, including ovarian, breast and prostate cancers, have been linked
\nto over-consumption of dairy products. According to another Harvard study on
\novarian cancer, the problem lies in the breakdown of dairy products in the body
\nand the enzymes involved. With breast and prostate cancers, the issue may be
\nwith insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) found now in cow’s milk. IGF-1 has been
\nfound in increased blood levels in people who eat dairy as a large part of
\ntheir diet.<\/p>\n
4. Diabetes.<\/b>
\nCompleting our list of the epidemics facing us today, Type 1 diabetes (formerly
\nknown as childhood-onset) has also been linked to the over-consumption of dairy
\nproducts. According to one study, a specific protein found in dairy creates an
\nauto-immune reaction in the body (where the body attacks itself), which
\ndestroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Other studies have found
\nsimilar links between dairy and Type 1 diabetes not just in Americans, but in
\npeople all over the world.<\/p>\n
Milk and diary also create problems for people in the form
\nof lactose intolerance, and in the bovine growth hormones (rGBH) and
\nantibiotics given to cows. But that is another post…<\/p>\n
So, if the research is accurate, the bottom line is really
\nto reduce the amount of milk and dairy products you eat, or eliminate them
\nentirely. Milk and diary, while traditional foods, aren’t truly necessary to
\nour diets. Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables, including darky
\nleafy greens, and beans, which are all rich in calcium. Add in whole grains and
\nnutrient-dense foods. Food-based calcium supplements, with added vitamin D, and
\nsome calcium-enriched foods can also be helpful. Add in regular exercise,
\nstress management, and smoking cessation, and you will be well on your way to a
\nhealthier life, dairy consumer or not.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Millions of Americans, including many vegetarians, consume large amounts of milk and dairy products each year. I grew up drinking milk every day, with almost every meal. Is this a bad thing, you ask? Possibly, in light of new…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":181,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n