Originally published December 1 2013
More than just Fukushima radiation: Three convincing reasons to reduce or eliminate milk and dairy from your diet
by Zach C. Miller
(NaturalNews) Dairy foods make a delicious and satisfying complement to many people's diets. However, there is a large body of evidence that suggests that most people's bodies are just not well equipped to digest and process dairy-based foods and beverages (unless you happen to be a Sherpa from the Tibetan highlands). And, as our environment gets more polluted, reasons to reduce dairy consumption increase rather than stay the same. Here are some convincing reasons to reduce or even eliminate dairy from your diet:
1. Dairy is an allergen and lactose intolerance trigger
Consumption of dairy has varying effects on different people. Some people are so sensitive to dairy that ingesting even a small amount can be fatal if they have anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction that can result in rashes, swelling, hives, itching, trouble breathing, wheezing or even loss of consciousness. In a separate category from allergenics are people who are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance happens when a person is lacking lactase, an enzyme which breaks down the lactose sugars in dairy. Without lactase, a person cannot break down and digest dairy foods and may experience bloating, cramps, gas and diarrhea.
2. Most people are actually lactose intolerant and don't know it
Most people in the world are actually lactose intolerant but are unaware of it. It is estimated that 75% of the world's citizens generally lack the lactase enzyme needed to break down lactose into the simpler sugar forms glucose and galactose, which the body can process effectively. For most of the 20th century, it has been generally accepted that almost all humans could break down lactose, but this was proven incorrect by research conducted during the 1960s which found that most people lose the lactase enzyme after being weaned as children, usually between the ages of two and five. A small percentage of humans, such as Tibetan Sherpas and their relatives, do retain the lactase enzyme throughout adulthood, due to evolutionary adaptivity.
3. Dairy weakens bones, can lead to osteoporosis and is linked to cancer
Most of us have been deceived by the USDA's nutritional guidelines into believing that dairy is a healthy part of a balanced diet, and that "diets rich in milk and dairy products help build and maintain bone mass throughout the lifecycle and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis." These statements unfortunately are misleading and even dangerous. Studies have found that the highest rates of osteoporosis occur in countries with high consumption of animal products. This research suggests that, rather than building strong bones and teeth, dairy products prevent calcium from being absorbed in the body.
High quality plant-based foods, such as broccoli, kale and collard greens, provide much more easily absorbable calcium than dairy. These should be used in place of dairy as healthy sources of calcium.
There are many other convincing reasons to avoid dairy besides the risk of osteoporosis. Research has shown that dairy consumption is linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
4. Dairy products are particularly susceptible to radiation contamination
Ever since the Fukushima disaster in 2011, researchers have been testing foods and vegetables for radioactivity. The Department of Nuclear Engineering at UC Berkeley has been taking radiation samples since the Fukushima meltdown. They have tested both raw milk and store-bought, and have detected radioactive isotopes cesium-134 and 137 (Cs-134, Cs-137). This is alarming when you consider dairy as a "radioactive indicator" of our food supply. Dairy is a good indicator for radiation, because cows consume grass, food crops and water supplies. In simple terms, when dairy starts testing positive for radioactivity, it's an indication of radioactive contamination of the entire food supply.
Sources for this article include:
http://geigercounter.com
http://www.foodallergy.org
http://www.idausa.org
http://jeromiewilliams.com
http://science.naturalnews.com
About the author:
Zach C. Miller was raised from an early age to believe in the power and value of healthy-conscious living. He later found in himself a talent for writing, and it only made sense to put two & two together! He has written and published articles about health & wellness and other topics on ehow.com and here on NaturalNews. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Science.
Zach C. Miller was raised from an early age to believe in the power and value of healthy-conscious living. He later found in himself a talent for writing, and it only made sense to put two & two together! He has written and published articles about health & wellness and other topics on ehow.com and here on NaturalNews. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Science.
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