Is dairy bad for you? Why are so many people lactose intolerant or dairy sensitive? Good questions, young grasshopper.
Dairy used to be a health food. In its pasteurized and raw form, it’s a great source of fat, protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Today’s dairy is far less nutritious due to processing and the addition of hormones and antibiotics pumped into cows. During the pasteurization process, milk is heated to approximately 150 degrees (but not boiled.) This kills the harmful microorganisms that could potentially be in the milk. Unfortunately, the good qualities of the milk are also destroyed during this process. The casein (milk protein) is completely altered and becomes harder to digest. The enzymes that make milk easier to digest are also destroyed during this process.
During the homogenization process, the cream or fat of milk is mixed with the non-fat part of milk. This makes the fat extremely hard to digest and allows for one of the enzymes to enter the bloodstream instead of being pooped out like it normally would. When this enzyme enters the heart and arteries, it really messes with cell membranes and creates scar tissue. The scarred areas become home to cholesterol deposits, which then clog your arteries. This is known as atherosclerosis.
Ever wonder why so many people are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy these days? Lactose intolerance occurs when one is deficient in the enzyme lactase. This enzyme’s job is to breakdown lactose so we can properly metabolize it. Besides lactose-intolerance, many people have a hard time digesting casein. This can manifest as stomach pain, heartburn, gas, bloating, cramping, runny/stuffy nose, sinus headache, sore throat, earaches and infections.
So let’s be real guys, I’ve never actually seen raw, unpasteurized milk at my grocery store. It’s a bit controversial since the pasteurization process is meant to kill the bad bacteria, after all. However, you can always check to make sure the raw dairy you buy is certified free of harmful microorganisms. Check out https://www.realmilk.com/real-milk-finder/ to find raw dairy products near you!
Does this mean I never consume dairy products? Nope! I eat grass fed butter (the proteins are completely different than those of milk/cheese) and sometimes I eat goat’s cheese and grass fed yogurt. I personally do okay with dairy, but I choose not to eat it every day since it is so processed and potentially has negative health effects. However, I’m excited to try raw dairy in the near future! I’ve heard it’s incredible. Would you guys ever try raw dairy? Let me know!
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Work Cited
“Diet.” Question by Question Guide to the Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire, by Dicken Weatherby, Nutritional Therapy Association, 2004, pp. 66–66.