Health

Raw milk, does it do a body good?

by cynthia yoo | February 29, 2008 at 02:08 pm

1212 views | 0 Recommendations | 7 comments

From Inkling magazine, a post on the health benefits of raw milk.

One of my officemates used to date a nutritionist. A nutritionist who has given him some interesting ideas about health foods, including apple cider vinegar and raw milk.

Now Officemate is lactose intolerant, as are many adults of Asian extraction, meaning that he lacks the ability to synthesize the intestinal enzyme lactase and cannot break down milk sugar into its digestible bits, galactose and glucose. Officemate claimed that raw milk is digestible by dairy belly-achin’ folks like him because – miracle of nature! – it contains lactase. Naturally.

My interest piqued, I began to explore the science of raw milk versus commercial milk. How does pasteurization and homogenization affect the disease, nutritional, allergic and intolerance profile of dairy?

Into the literature I plowed and found, well, a lot. Firstly there are a growing number advocacy groups, such as The Campaign for Real Milk, which extol the virtues of raw milk, sometimes a wee bit past what the evidence truly finds. Cures allergies! Puts the kibosh on arthritis! Pasteurization kills babies!

And then, of course we have the FDA and other health organizations that wish to wipe raw milk clean off the planet. Sure it might be marginally better for you, but why risk terrifying bacterial infections? Intriguingly, the FDA has created a Power Point presentation to highlight just how bad raw milk is and the Real Milk Campaign has shot back with its response - references included.

Click on the link for the rest of the article.

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

peevish me

at 16:15 on February 29th, 2008

I love natural foods. They taste better, are better for you, and are better for the environment.

peevish me has contributed a photo to this story.

Hein

at 16:50 on February 29th, 2008

I found raw milk interesting but I settled on glass-bottled organic milk.

adoption_is_luv

at 17:42 on February 29th, 2008

I took this photo while making Kefir from Raw Milk. Kefir made from Raw Cows Milk is very healthy for your body. It replaces and introduces healthy bacteria to the gut that has been destroyed by Antibiotic use, or other not-so-good eating habits which most American's have from time to time!
I highly recommend anyone interested to research and find a good Raw Milk source. There are many sites on the internet that will help you to find a local producer.
My family loves Raw Milk and are now spoiled to its taste!

adoption_is_luv has contributed a photo to this story.

yoyonation

at 20:46 on February 29th, 2008

Murray's Cheese Class. www.yoyonation.com

yoyonation has contributed a photo to this story.

kidrdaso

at 03:14 on March 1st, 2008

I'm still learning about the raw milk debate...thanks for the unbiased info.

Cuisinette

at 01:08 on March 6th, 2008

I was raised on a farm and all my life I had raw milk. Some times straight from the cow, sheep or goats. I also love very soft eggs almost raw. I never had any discomfort or had been sick. I am 44 years old and I never been in the hospital. I have no allergies. What you see in this picture is cheese I made from goat raw milk. It is all gone by now. I liked it; my friends liked it and no one had any trouble consuming. I believe in raw milk, I think twice before I drink milk from the supermarket as I know it is treated and contains additives. I wish raw milk could be re-introduced for consumers. Give me the choice to consume it or not, I’ll take the risk.

Ori (not verified)

at 23:11 on July 18th, 2008

Hello. Just thought I’d share a quick testimonial. I have struggled with digestive problems and chronic fatigue for years, and have spent countless hours and thousands of dollars trying to heal myself. When I started eating raw sheep milk feta from a local farm, I went through a miraculous transformation and am now completely healed! I also consume other fermented foods such as kefir, beet kvass and sauerkraut, and I take cod liver oil. But it wasn’t until I added the RAW sheep milk feta that I saw dramatic results. I have never been so healthy in my life!
Check out this website. It has literally been a life saver for me. westonaprice.org
It’s time we got back to the foods that have nourished us for thousands of years.
Take care.