Milk

I was once reading an article about milk. It said that some tribes in Africa (the massai tribes) drink lots and lots of milk and have the lowest rate of heart disease among human beings. It sounds very convincing that milk must be "good for you". But I have since read that the article forgot to mention that the milk is first fermented with cowshit and then cow's blood. Also the masaai's average life span is 46 years. No wonder they dont get heart problems from cholestral. The article was also fermented with cowshit. Here's some food for thought that I got in a newsletter from a nutritionist (is that right?)

Did you know that:

• Milk is high in fat and cholesterol.
• The hormones and antibiotics fed to dairy cows to increase milk production end up in the milk which is sold and drunk by the consumer.
• Calcium in dairy products is not absorbed into the body as easily as that found in many plant foods like dark green leafy vegetables.
• Though dairy products are rich in calcium, the high protein content is acid yielding and results in calcium being leached out of the body. This is why people with calcium deficiency keep taking supplements despite taking plenty of milk.
• Osteoporosis occurs most commonly in countries where the most milk is consumed. Studies have concluded that exercise and a diet rich in vegetables ensures strong bones and not dairy foods.
• Diets rich in dairy products are associated with an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, constipation, indigestion, arthritis, asthma, acne, allergies, depression and iron deficiency.
• Cow’s milk is not a natural food for humans: many people are lactose intolerant or are affected by cow’s milk allergies.
• Every mammal produces milk only for its young and the protein and other nutrient contents are suitable for that animal’s growth only. Since we grow at a slower rate than calves, cow’s milk is not suitable. Even a calf does not drink its mother’s milk once its weaned, so why should we?
• Cow's milk has higher pesticide levels than most fruits and vegetables since cows feed on a high quantity of plants which are already contaminated with pesticides.

Of course, you have to read up on this and verify this for yourselves. You can start here: http://sharan-india.org/newsletter/SharanNewsletterNovember2008.html