Why We Should Avoid Conventional Dairy

February 19, 2019

Milk -- it does a body good, right? Welllllll...it depends.

This is a huge topic so I'll shorten it here as much as I can -- if you're interested in more detail, please read my blog post on the subject!

First, the basics: in order to be able to digest milk, the body needs to produce the enzyme lactase (we are all born with the ability to produce lactase, but lose the ability as we age).

Milk, in its natural state, does contain lactase -- but all conventional milk products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.) are pasteurized -- and pasteurization kills lactase.

More noteworthy (or more gross) to me, though, is the following:

- conventional dairy cows are bred to produce 3 to 4 times more milk than they did a century ago (which causes all sorts of disgusting side effects -- read about this here if you want).

- conventional dairy cows are typically fed a diet of soybean meal to make them produce more milk (you've all heard about the estrogenic effects of soy -- so have the conventional dairy farmers).

- cows can only digest grass. The soybean meal they are forced to eat makes them sick, so they are given antibiotics (which get into the dairy products made with their milk -- and then into YOU).

- conventional dairy cows are not given any room to move. They are penned in all day, hooked up to milking machines, wallowing in their own filth.

I am certainly not opposed to dairy if you tolerate it, but all dairy is not created equal. Organic, grass-fed dairy (like Organic Valley, which can be found in many supermarkets) -- or better yet, raw, unpasteurized dairy from a local farm or market, is a far superior and much more nutrient-dense choice. If you're in CT, email me for the best local options!