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Statistics show that nearly one third of North American women
will develop osteoporosis, severe enough to cause a fracture.
A 12-year perspective study was performed among 77,761 women
aged 34-59 years of age who had never used calcium supplements.
Dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire
in 1980, 1984 and 1986. Every two years these women reported
any fractures. Women who drank two or more glasses of milk
per day had a higher risk of hip and forearm fractures than
women who consumed one glass or less per week.
The result of this study suggests that drinking
milk does not protect women against the development of osteoporotic
fractures. In fact there was a 45% increase in hip fractures
among women who drank at least two glasses of milk per day
compared to those who rarely drank milk. This certainly suggests
that milk does not do the body good!
We all know that meat, fish and dairy are concentrated
protein sources. What we are not told however, is that high
amounts of animal protein depletes calcium from the body into
the kidneys leaving calcium deficient bones and increased
kidney stones. The high acid in protein foods withdraws calcium
from bones to balance the pH in the blood. Acid forming foods
also creates excess uric acid, which builds up in muscles
and organs causing pain and congestion.
Osteoporosis is more common in countries where
dairy products are consumed in large quantities. The African
Bantu women take much less calcium from concentrated protein
sources like milk and animal bones than Americans (350 mg
a day compared to the National Dairy Council of 1200mg a day).
Yet even the oldest women are free of osteoporosis, as well
as other degenerative diseases. Research has shown that the
Bantu’s lower protein consumption has kept the bones of Bantu
women healthier. (The Bantu’s are vegetarian). The Inuit on
the other hand, have one of the highest rates of osteoporosis
in the world because they consume more than 1500 mg of calcium
daily from concentrated protein sources such as fish bones.
Calcium is a vital mineral in preventing osteoporosis,
but. its action does not end there. Calcium is found in every
cell throughout the entire body. Some of its other important
functions include a role in muscular contraction, nerve conduction
and transmission, blood coagulation, cell membrane permeability,
anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties and regulates
fluid secretion. The
big nutritional hype is that milk is a great source of calcium.
But that’s overrated. The high amount of phosphorus in cow’s
milk interferes with calcium absorption. Aging magnifies the
problem even more, so the older you are the less calcium you
are going to get from milk. Cow’s milk is also high in lactose,
a carbohydrate sugar. Humans (and most mammals) naturally
lose the ability to digest lactose somewhere between the ages
of 18 months and four years. The loss of the ability to digest
lactose causes adverse symptoms for most people in the world.
When undigested milk sugar gets into the colon, bacteria ferment
it, converting it to gas and lactic acid.
Cow’s milk may also cause allergies from the antibody’s
reaction to the milk proteins. The most common reaction is
chronic diarrhea in which the stools frequently contain mucus
and blood, half the iron deficiency in infants and women maybe
caused by gastro- intestinal bleeding induced by cow’s milk.
The allergy connection also may be more correct, resulting
in urticaria i.e. eczema, or atopic dermatitis. Credible evidence
also links milk to many severe disorders such as; rheumatoid
arthritis, diabetes, heart attacks, multiple sclerosis and
osteoporosis.
It has been suggested that a predisposing infection
is the primary cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have
shown that the infectious agent exists in milk. Investigators
have correlated higher levels of milk anti bodies with rheumatoid
arthritis. Cow’s milk may also be responsible for an irreversible
inability to metabolize blood sugar. Studies suggest that
a diet rich in milk may be responsible for type I and type
II diabetes. Type I or juvenile diabetes occurs as a result of the body’s
attempt to protect itself from foreign milk protein. After
attacking the bovine albumin
(protein), these antibodies target a similar protein
on the surface of the insulin producing beta cells of the
pancreas, destroying them also.
There is a controversial debate in medical literature
over the high levels of xanthine oxidase, a potential source
of free radicals found in milk and is linked to heart attacks
and angina.
In one comparative study, people who suffered heart attacks
possessed higher levels of the xanthine oxidase antibodies
than those who had not suffered a heart attack.
In addition, many investigators have found a link between
multiple sclerosis and milk consumption. It has been shown
that milk contains an additional unknown toxic substance and
certain fats that alter the myelin sheaths surrounding axons.
Besides the long list of associated diseases, milk is also
responsible for gastro-intestinal, respiratory, behavioral
and skin disorders. It is also the culprit in childhood ear
infections.
The hazards inherent in milk consumption compelled
me to conclude that it should not be a part of anyone’s diet.
For babies there is no question that breast milk is best.
If you choose to use dairy I would restrict your selection
to butter, yogurt and goat cheese because they contain
almost no lactose. For a dairy like drink consume moderate
amounts of soya or rice milk or other nut beverages. For a
good calcium source eat plenty of sesame seeds, almonds, broccoli
and leafy green vegetables. To ensure a proper calcium balance
in the body limit acid forming foods like meat, dairy, refined
foods and coffee.
To prevent or treat osteoporosis and other degenerative
diseases consult a professional natural care physician who
can advise on a specific diet plan and rehabilitation suited
to your condition and prescribes herbal and or homeopathic
medicine.
References:
Feskanich D. et al. Milk, dietary calcium and bone fractures
in women: A 12 year prospective study. Am. J. Public Health
87: 992-997. 1997
Oski, F. Don’t drink your milk
Dr. Lydia D’Astolfo , B.A.,
DI Hom. has a degree from York University and is
a Homeopathic Doctor, CranioSacral Therapist, Applied &
Educational Kinesiologist.
Dr. Connie J. D’Astolfo, Hons. B.A., DI Hom, has a
degree from The University of Toronto and is a Homeopathic
Doctor and CranioSacral Therapist. Dr. C. D’Astolfo is presently
completing her doctorate in chiropractic medicine in the United
States.
Both Dr. Lydia & Connie D’Astolfo have been featured
on TV stations though out Canada and the United States. They
have also published many articles on natural health care in
various popular magazines. Dr. Lydia D’Astolfo can
be reached at The Centre For Innate Healing at (905) 738-1948
Email address: innate@istar.ca
and Dr. Connie J. D’Astolfo can be reached at her Chicago
office at 1-630-495-0564 Email address: cure4all@yahoo.com
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