Having heard enough on the debate of whether milk is good for people or not, we decided to look into this topic ourselves. We have summarized findings of the pros and cons from various studies as follows and would like to touch upon the benefits of milk consumption as well as its associated risks.
Calcium and Milk
Calcium is a major component of a healthy diet. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of calcium is approximately 800-1000mg, and 1200mg ideally according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Calcium is crucial to the normal functioning of our bodies in a number of ways: muscle contraction, bone health, neurological functions, vascular and granular functions. It is for the exact reason that a large part of the ongoing milk advertisement campaign is focused on persuading people to increase milk consumption for its calcium content (Lee and Wei, 2002). How much calcium is there in a cup of milk? Is milk really the best source to provide the majority of calcium that our body needs? According to the “Not Milk” campaign, milk contains less calcium per given amount than green leafy vegetables and grains (Lee and Wei, 2002). A typical 100g portion of 2% fat milk sample contains a surprisingly low value of 33-35mg of calcium compared to 234mg of calcium in the same portion of almonds (Lee and Wei, 2002). The better alternatives for calcium intake are raw turnip greens or cooked turnips, watercress, seeds such as sunflower or sesame and grains that do not have the uncomfortable side effects that are normally associated with milk consumption (Lee and Wei, 2002).
Lactose Intolerance and Milk
Milk causes bloating, gas, cramping and diarrhea in an estimated 50% of the adult population (Lee and Wei, 2002). Lactose intolerance results from a deficiency of lactase, a natural enzyme required to break down the lactose in milk and milk products. The production of lactase declines gradually in the intestines of people after weaning and may eventually stop if lactose is not continually and regularly consumed to signal the intestinal brush border that lactase is needed (Lee and Wei, 2002). The natural tendency of producing less and less lactase in the majority of world adult populations precludes the practical option of milk consumption as a source of nutrients for many adults (Lee and Wei, 2002).
Allergies and Milk
Milk allergy is another barrier to the daily consumption of milk in addition to the problems associated with lactose intoleration. Milk allergy occurs when our bodies react to the proteins in cow's milk, such as casein and whey, as if they were foreign substances. Interestingly, it is the young children who are most affected by milk allergy as opposed to adults. About 3% of infants are allergic to milk proteins, however, 80% of these allergic children become resistent to it by six years of age (Steinman, 2002). Adults may acquire the allergy in their 30s and 40s. There are three types of milk allergy symptoms:
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) and Cow’s Milk
Monsanto’s rBGH is commonly used as a way to increase milk production up to 20% more in cows (Epstein, 1998). The hormone causes udder inflammation in cows (Epstein, 1998). As a result, antibiotics are used to treat the inflammation in cows, which in turn are passed on to humans as people consume milk produced from these treated cows (Epstein, 1998). In addition, milk produced by rBGH-treated cows has higher concentrations of insulin-like growth-factor-1 (IGF-1) (Epstein, 1998). Higher levels of IGF-1 are associated with a risk factor in certain cancers (Epstein, 1998). A Harvard School of Public Health study has shown that people with higher IGF-1 levels were more likely to develop breast, prostate, and colon cancer (Epstein, 1998). To protect consumers from the IGF-1 harzards, European nations and Canada have banned sales of rBGH milk as of 2000 or ealier (Epstein, 1998).
Kidney Stone from milk overconsumption?
Contrary to the common belief that milk overconsumption leads to the formation of urinary stones or mineral deposits in the kidney, studies have shown that even calcium-sensitive patients were able to consume milk without increaing their risk of stone formation (Lee and Wei, 2002). Some studies have even indicated that the risk for kidney stones can be lowered by increasing your intake of dairy products.
References
Allergies and Milk
Milk allergy is another barrier to the daily consumption of milk in addition to the problems associated with lactose intoleration. Milk allergy occurs when our bodies react to the proteins in cow's milk, such as casein and whey, as if they were foreign substances. Interestingly, it is the young children who are most affected by milk allergy as opposed to adults. About 3% of infants are allergic to milk proteins, however, 80% of these allergic children become resistent to it by six years of age (Steinman, 2002). Adults may acquire the allergy in their 30s and 40s. There are three types of milk allergy symptoms:
- Immediate symptoms develop shortly after consumption of cow's milk. Reactions affect the skin, causing eczema or hives.
- Symptoms begin a few hours after consumption of cow's milk including diarrhea and vomiting.
- Symptoms such as diarrhea develop over 20 hours after ingestion.
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) and Cow’s Milk
Monsanto’s rBGH is commonly used as a way to increase milk production up to 20% more in cows (Epstein, 1998). The hormone causes udder inflammation in cows (Epstein, 1998). As a result, antibiotics are used to treat the inflammation in cows, which in turn are passed on to humans as people consume milk produced from these treated cows (Epstein, 1998). In addition, milk produced by rBGH-treated cows has higher concentrations of insulin-like growth-factor-1 (IGF-1) (Epstein, 1998). Higher levels of IGF-1 are associated with a risk factor in certain cancers (Epstein, 1998). A Harvard School of Public Health study has shown that people with higher IGF-1 levels were more likely to develop breast, prostate, and colon cancer (Epstein, 1998). To protect consumers from the IGF-1 harzards, European nations and Canada have banned sales of rBGH milk as of 2000 or ealier (Epstein, 1998).
Kidney Stone from milk overconsumption?
Contrary to the common belief that milk overconsumption leads to the formation of urinary stones or mineral deposits in the kidney, studies have shown that even calcium-sensitive patients were able to consume milk without increaing their risk of stone formation (Lee and Wei, 2002). Some studies have even indicated that the risk for kidney stones can be lowered by increasing your intake of dairy products.
References
Epstein, S. S. (1998). Monsanto's Hormonal Milk Poses Serious Risks of Breast Cancer, Besides Other Cancers, Warns Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health. Cancer Prevention Coalition. Retrieved Feb 28, 2010, from http://www.preventcancer.com/press/releases/july8_98.htm
Lee, J. and Wei, R. (2002). Milk, Doing Your Body Good? Journal of Young Investigators, 6 (3). Retrieved Feb 28, 2010, from http://www.jyi.org/volumes/volume6/issue3/features/lee_and_wei.html
Steinman, H. (2002). Milk Allergy and Lactose Intolerance. Science in Africa. Retrieved Feb 28, 2010, from http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2002/may/milk.htm
Lee, J. and Wei, R. (2002). Milk, Doing Your Body Good? Journal of Young Investigators, 6 (3). Retrieved Feb 28, 2010, from http://www.jyi.org/volumes/volume6/issue3/features/lee_and_wei.html
Steinman, H. (2002). Milk Allergy and Lactose Intolerance. Science in Africa. Retrieved Feb 28, 2010, from http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2002/may/milk.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment