The Milk Scandal

In the olden days, people got their milk the natural way – from cows that ate grass. Nowadays, it is a different story where there are artificial processes involved due to demand and mass production. One can only ask: Is it still healthy to drink milk today or not? The past scandal on baby’s milk made in China made many people question again the very health benefits of drinking milk. Should people buy raw or something that is pasteurized? There are a lot of choices when it comes to the milk sold at the supermarket and the confusion goes on.

This confusion can be a result from the clash of opinions between PETA and the Dairy Association. The first thinks that milk is evil and the other one just the exact opposite. Just how true is it that a person get the highest calcium source in drinking milk is something under close scrutiny. Then, there are still controversies on milk being the healthiest drink you can ever sip.

Is Milk Really Good For You?

Milk has been touted to be the best bet against osteoporosis and other bone diseases. This is why a lot of ads try to persuade people on milk’s calcium content. If this were true, how come Asians who consume less dairy products than their Western counterparts have a lower case of osteoporosis? Drinking milk may be good for you, but it can also lead to:

1. An increased risk of ovarian cancer
2. Hormone-related cancers due to the way cow’s milk is made. The estrogen and insulin-like growth factor in milk may cause irregular cells to multiply.
3. An increased risk to breast and prostate cancers
4. Lactose Intolerance – The pasteurization process used to kill bacteria also kills vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and good bacteria that are vital to one’s health.
5. Weight gain
6. Bacterial infection if your raw milk is not handled in a sanitary manner

In fact, there are better sources of calcium than milk, and most of which are not publicly known. These are raw or cooked turnips, sunflower or sesame seeds, and watercress. Besides, your body needs vitamin D to make sure calcium is utilized to the max by your body. Milk can be great for your digestive system and it plays an important role in each person’s diet. We have even consumed a lot of milk products that we simply become comfortable with the idea. There are pros and cons with milk and one must consume only the recommended daily allowance ( which is three 8 oz glasses of milk in a day ).

One must be wary of his or her natural healthy options and make sure to read the food labels before buying or eating food. Be careful with milk products from cows that are injected with rBGH or Recombivant Bovine Growth Hormone. This is used to artificially increase milk production in cows by 20 percent. In the end, you need to have informed choices and choose well to stay… HEALTHY!

The Whole Truth About Milk