Is Milk Good For You and Your Body?

Is milk good for you? Milk does a body good, or so we have been told. We are the only animal on the planet that drinks the milk of another animal. Many people would be surprised to find out that not only is milk not good for you, but it can also be harmful. Milk products induce acne, cause inflammation, can increase cancer and they don’t support your bones. To add to that, at least 75% of the world population has difficulty digesting dairy and it can exacerbate GI issues. Milk isn’t good for your body, but many have been conditioned to think it is.

The biological purpose of milk is to deliver the mother’s immune system and to deliver the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and everything to help our bodies develop and grow. Cow’s milk was designed to help a baby cow grow into a 2,000-pound animal. Our body doesn’t assimilate to the calcium structure and nutrient profile of cow’s milk. Cow’s milk isn’t good for us and it’s meant for baby cows. What do adult cows drink when they grow up? Water. That’s what adult humans should drink. We can’t be as healthy as possible if we are drinking the milk of another animal.

Milk and Bones

The biggest lie we have been told about dairy is that it’s good for our bones. What if I told you that it didn’t help reduce fractures? One study followed healthy children and found that calcium supplementation did not have a significant impact on bone density and did not reduce the risk of bone fractures. (1) In fact, one study even found that calcium supplementation increased the risk of hip fractures in women. It also showed women who drank 3 or more glasses of milk had a higher mortality rate at nearly twice the rate than those who just drank one glass. Increased milk consumption was associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. (2)

Other studies have found there are more fractures in those with osteoporosis in regions with higher dairy consumption. (3) The case for milk isn’t looking good if it doesn’t protect your bones and it actually increases your risk of death. What else is milk doing to your body?

Is Milk Good for You… and Your Body?

There are many inflammatory markers in dairy that can cause people to become very sick. Dairy products mess with your gut microbiome, making your inflammation worse and your gut is key to your overall health. We are seeing increasing rates of digestive conditions including Crohn’s disease, IBS, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, cancer and others. That’s why it’s important to take care of your gut with a noninflammatory diet that excludes dairy.

Inflammation even shows up on your face. Did you know dairy consumption can increase acne? Multiple studies have linked increased dairy consumption to more acne break outs. (4) Teenagers who drink more milk have more acne. (5) There have been studies that show that the use of another dairy product, whey protein, will lead to acne in body builders. (6) When they stopped using the product the acne cleared up. Seems like the best way to get rid of acne is to avoid dairy. Rosacea, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions have also been linked to drinking milk.

Chronic inflammation can lead to more serious conditions if left unchecked. The body is like a Swiss watch and if you have long term inflammation, it can affect other areas of the body. One study found that drinking four or more glasses of milk a day can double your risk of serous ovarian cancer. More studies need to be done to see if other ovarian cancers also increase. (7) Men are at risk too. Those who drink more milk have a higher risk for prostate cancer. (8)

Is Milk Good for You? Only if It’s a Milk Alternative

Milk isn’t good for you. No matter how much money the National Dairy Council throws at advertising how milk does a body good, it doesn’t do a body good. Milk mustaches aren’t fun, they are bad for your health. Do yourself a favor and try milk alternatives.

Good alternative milk options include

Hazelnut milk
Oat milk
Almond milk
Hemp milk
Coconut milk

As more people realize that milk isn’t all it was advertised to be, there are more alternative options. It makes it easy to avoid your food allergies and have a healthy swap. Be sure to look for a quality organic option. Stay away from soy milk. Soy is another inflammatory food that is known for being GMO and having high levels of pesticides. Also, be careful with pea and rice milk, as they can be contaminated with heavy metals.

6 Dairy-Free Recipes We Love

Dairy-free can taste good! Trust us! The idea of going dairy-free can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to seem like a punishment. Try some of our favorite dairy-free recipes and you won’t even realize the dairy is missing.

1 – Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo

Yes! You can make Alfredo without the dairy! This dairy-free option is strong competition in the creamy arena. All the yumminess without the guilt.

2 – Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

One of the hardest parts of going dairy-free is giving up ranch dressing. This yummy replacement changes all of that! It tastes great on salads and as a dip or marinade.

3 – Dairy-Free Spinach Dip

This is the recipe you make for your family and other people who are skeptical of the dairy free life. They won’t know that it’s dairy-free unless you tell them.

4 – Dairy-Free Potato Soup

This is an easy meal you can throw together in a crock pot. Yukon Gold potatoes are creamier than your average potato and make this soup so delicious. We also like to add bacon!

5 – Dairy-Free Kickin’ Queso

The cashews make this dip creamy and the spices give it a little kick! Pair this with some organic blue corn chips for the perfect snack.

6 – Dairy-Free Blueberry Cheesecake

This no-bake cheesecake is easy to make and delicious too! This healthy dessert is free of the most common allergens.

Going Dairy Free is Good for You!

Is milk good for you? No! Going dairy-free can taste good and your body will be healthier too. Once you start feeling better, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to go dairy-free.

Written by Dr. Jason Nobles

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