The Milk Myth

Great Britain and Ireland represented 20% of the EU population 10 years ago, yet they were consuming 40% of its dairy products, with an average weekly intake of 4 pints of milk.  Milk in Great Britain and Ireland is a mainstay of our diets.  We have been taught from a young age that it is a wonder food, fantastic for our teeth and bones, but is this really true?

Minerals such as manganese, chromium, selenium and magnesium are all found in higher levels in fruit and veg than in milk.  Magnesium works alongside calcium so relying on dairy products for calcium is likely to lead to magnesium deficiency.  Seeds, nuts and crunchy vegetables like kale, cabbage, carrots and cauliflower give us both these and other minerals.  Non-organic milk products may contain residues of drugs and hormones that have been fed to dairy cows.

Milk can cause unpleasant symptoms in some people.  This is usually a result of the milk sugar lactose or the milk proteins, casein or lactoglobulin.

Many people around the world are lactose intolerant.  The enzyme lactase is required to break down the milk sugar lactose.  The inability to digest this sugar may result in a range of symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhoea.  Most of the lactose in yoghurt, cheese and buttermilk has already been broken down and may be easier tolerated.  Full fat dairy products, like butter, are lower in lactose than other milk products.  Goat’s milk and Ewe’s milk also contain lactose.  The continued production of a high amount of lactose into adulthood exists only in a minority of ethnic groups.  Amazingly

95% of African Blacks are lactose intolerant, as well as
90% of Indians
90% of Asians
75% of North American Blacks
75% of Mexican Americans
60% of Mediterraneans and
15% of North American Whites

Also, the proteins in milk can adversely affect some individuals by aggravating health
conditions such as asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis.  It also triggers many symptoms
including diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal cramps, swelling, eczema, redness
on the cheeks, flaky skin, rashes, itchy skin, shortness of breath, excessive mucus
production, ‘stuffy nose’, wheezing and runny/red eyes. It can irritate an already
overactive immune system in cases of allergies and other immune disorders.

Although there are some negative aspects of dairy foods, it is important to keep it in perspective.  Giving your child of nice, cold milk is a million times better than giving them a glass of a fizzy, sweet, stimulating, chemical-laden, brightly coloured mineral drink!