Current Health Debate: Cow’s Milk and Human Consumption
So many people grew up hearing repeated slogans and promotions from the dairy industry that were so consistent and repetitive, they seemed almost like a part of life. “Milk does a body good.” “Milk builds strong bones.” “Got Milk?” For decades, no one questioned the power of milk and the necessity of giving children milk. However, in the last ten or so years, the mentality has shifted and a product that was once unquestioned as a staple of human consumption, has now become controversial. This paper examines some of the pros and cons of the dairy industry and milk consumption from a strictly health perspective. The benefits of cow’s milk are examined lucidly, as are the criticisms that the dairy industry and milk consumption receive. Finally, each side’s argument is concluded succinctly, and recommendations for future protocol are presented for consideration.
Pros
One of the major benefits that milk provides to an individual’s health is found in the fact that this beverage is chock full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and a range of substances that the human being needs to thrive. The National Dairy Council has gone on the record repeatedly stressing the benefits of milk, notably the nine main nutrients that provide a direct impact to the health of a human being. All of the following nutrients cannot be debated in their importance to human health and wellness: calcium (constructs healthy bones/teeth and helps in keeping bone mass stable); protein (can be used for energy and in the repair and construction of muscle); potassium (regulates blood pressure), phosphorus (keeps bones strong and helps create energy for the boy to use, vitamin d (assists in the maintenance of bone health), vitamin B12 (helps assist in creating healthy red blood cells and nerve tissue), vitamin A (helps in overseeing the immune system, regulating vision and skin, riboflavin (assists in the conversion of food into fuel for the body) niacin (breaks down sugars and fatty acids) (Capretto, 2010). This clearly demonstrates that this beverage packs a tremendous hit when it comes to serving the body something it desperately needs. In fact the body can gain the daily amount of nutrients it needs from just eight ounces of milk. Many doctors and nutritionists alike view it as a wonder beverage that has been taken for granted for decades, as a glass of milk offers “the same amount of vitamin D you'd get from 3.5 ounces of cooked salmon, as much calcium as 2 1/4 cups of broccoli, as much potassium as a small banana, as much vitamin A as two baby carrots and as much phosphorus as a cup of kidney beans” (Capretto, 2010). Hence, milk can offer the average human a wealth of advantages and assets to health in just a glass, making it also very cost effective.
Another major benefit of milk is that it acts as an enormous preventative substance to thwart disease. Much research has gone into determining which nutrients consumption is most beneficial at preventing disease.
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Milk is rich in potassium and potassium has been found to be the wonder nutrient in preventing certain types of debilitating cardiovascular “Dietary potassium intake has been demonstrated to significantly lower blood pressure (BP) in a dose-responsive manner in both hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients in observational studies, clinical trials, and several meta-analyses” (Houston, 2011). With high doses of potassium such as those over 4,000 mg per day, one can lower one’s risk of cardiovascular disease from 8%-15% (Houston, 2011). However, critics of milk argue that this benefit can come from potassium that is contained in a range of foods. Given the naturally high amounts of potassium in milk, it becomes much easier to hit those daily amounts.
Similarly, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) asserts that the research has demonstrated a beneficial relationship between high levels of calcium and a minimization of the dangers of colorectal cancer (Ware, 2017). As usual with most research, the results of every study have not been consistent, but there’s been enough research conducted to show that a very positive relationship exists between the two. Likewise, research has connected drinking milk every day to a minimization of the development of osteoporosis. Finally, there have been connections made between the consumption of milk and the minimization of depression, as vitamin d helps in the creation of serotonin, a hormone connected with mood, eating and slumber (Ware, 2017). A lack of adequate vitamin d has a host of adverse connections for the human body, including depression, fatigue, and other ailments (Ware, 2017).
Cons
Yet, the evidence against dairy milk is very damning. Sales of dairy milk have been declining in recent years, because more and more adults are refusing to drink milk. A glass of milk contains “…acidic animal protein that leeches calcium from the bones, pus cells, bovine growth hormone, feces, antibiotics, and a whole lot of unnecessary fat, cholesterol and calories — all of which create a terrible imbalance in the body” (Verma, 2014). More and more adults have been discovering issues in their tolerance of milk.
Cow’s milk is loaded with protein—three times the amount of protein of human milk. This overload of protein means that it creates proven metabolic disturbances in humans as well as discovered detrimental bone health consequences (Feskanich et al., 1996). This data is shocking to so many, as milk has long been marketed as having over 300mg of calcium. However, this is a myth, many have argued, that was created by the dairy industry. Part of the reason that milk leads to calcium depletion is in connection with the manner that the body digests milk. “Calcium actually neutralizes acid in our body, and most of the calcium is stored in our bones. When acidified animal protein is ingested, the calcium from our bones is drawn out to neutralize the effects of the toxic animal protein. After the calcium does its job cleaning up the mess,….....
Capretto, L. (2010). The Health Benefits of Milk. Retrieved from http://www.oprah.com/food/the-health-benefits-of-milk/all
D'adamo, P. J., & D'Adamo, P. (2002). Eat right for your type. Penguin.
Feskanich, D., Willett, W. C., Stampfer, M. J., & Colditz, G. A. (1996). Protein Consumption and Bone Fractures in Women. American Journal of Epidemiology, 143(5), 472-479. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a008767
Houston, M. C. (2011). The Importance of Potassium in Managing Hypertension. Current Hypertension Reports, 13(4), 309-317. doi:10.1007/s11906-011-0197-8
Onegreenplanet.org. (2017, August 7). Want Milk? Is Cow's Milk Meant For Human Consumption? (Part 1) - One Green Planet. Retrieved from https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/is-cows-milk-meant-for-human-consumption-part-1/
Verma, D. (2014, January 30). Why You Should Stop Drinking Milk Right Now. Retrieved from https://www.thedailymeal.com/why-you-should-stop-drinking-milk-right-now/013014
Ware, M. (2017). Milk: Health benefits and nutritional information. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/273451.php
Weise, E. (2012, August 31). 6 in 10 Adults Can't Digest Milk. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/story?id=8450036
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