7 Reasons Why Ditching Dairy Might Be a Good Decision for Your Health

An estimated 65% of the world population is lactose intolerant, that is, unable to digest the sugar found in milk. ⁽¹⁾ Humans are the only species on the planet to drink the milk of another species and to continue drinking milk beyond infancy. As babies, we are able to drink milk because we have the enzyme lactase to digest the milk sugars. But the genome that makes the enzyme gets switched off when we get to a certain age, so as adults, we experience “lactose intolerance”. Despite this fact, humans seem to be addicted to dairy products into adulthood.

Of all the dairy products in existence, cheese seems to be the hardest to kick. An average American eats more than 33 lbs. of cheese every year. ⁽²⁾

Many people when asked about going vegan, the standard reply is “I want to go vegan, but I just can’t give up cheese.” They don’t mention meat, fish or eggs. Do you think that so many people struggle with quitting cheese is coincidental? Why are people so hooked?

Casein is a protein present in milk, and their fragments are called casomorphins, more specifically casein-derived morphine-like compounds. They can attach to the same brain receptors that heroin and other narcotics attach to. In other words, dairy protein has opiate molecules built into it. ⁽³⁾

One research paper states, “Casomorphins are peptides produced from the breakdown of CN and possess opioid activity. The term opioid refers to morphine-like effects which include signs of sedation, tolerance, sleep induction, and depression.” ⁽⁴⁾

What actually are you consuming when you are consuming dairy products and what are some reasons you might want to consider ditching dairy?

1 Dairy messes with your hormones

Milk contains contaminants that range from hormones to pesticides. Milk naturally contains hormones and growth factors produced within a cow’s body. In addition, synthetic hormones such as recombinant bovine growth hormones are commonly used in cows to increase the production of milk. Once introduced into the human body, these hormones may affect normal hormonal function.

If you are concerned with other issues such as acne, dairy is not your friend either. ⁽⁵⁾
One of the primary reasons dairy is linked to acne is that it raises insulin in the body. All dairy contains IG1, or insulin-growth factor. No matter what kind of dairy you eat, you’re consuming excess insulin growth-like factor. Over time, it’s not a healthy choice and will likely cause insulin problems that lead to overeating, sugar cravings, and unstable blood sugar levels. And yes, organic milk contains hormones too. ⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾

Dairy also contains hormones that can lead to mood swings. Estrogen and testosterone are our sex hormones, and when they get out of balance according to our bodies’ needs, we suffer mood swings as a result. Dairy milk promotes excess estrogen in the body due to it containing estrogen from female cows. Simultaneously, milk naturally contains androgenic properties, so it raises testosterone in the body. The milk is chock-full of all these hormones we don’t need circulating throughout our bodies. Essentially, the dairy you consume contains hormones from the female and male cow that were used during impregnation. Why on earth would we want this in our bodies? ⁽⁸⁾

2 Dairy contains pesticides, antibiotics, and other contaminants

When treating cows for conditions such as mastitis, or inflammation of the mammary glands, antibiotics are used, and traces of these antibiotics have been found in samples of milk and dairy products. Because mastitis is a very common condition in cows, due to dairy product practices that have cows producing more milk than nature intended, this treatment is employed regularly.

Pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dioxins are other examples of contaminants found in milk. Dairy products contribute to one-fourth to one-half of the dietary intake of total dioxins. All of these toxins do not readily leave the body and can eventually build to harmful levels that may affect the immune, reproductive, and the central nervous systems. Moreover, PCBs and dioxins have also been linked to cancer.

Other contaminants often introduced during processing of milk products include melamine, often found in plastics, which negatively affects the kidneys and urinary tract due to their high nitrogen content, and carcinogenic toxins including aflatoxins. It’s important to note that these dangerous toxins are not destroyed in pasteurization. ⁽⁹⁾

3 Dairy consumption has been linked to cancer, due to growth hormones present in cows

Cow’s milk is designed to make calves grow and gain hundreds of pounds within just a few months. A lifetime of human exposure to these growth factors in milk may be the reason why researchers have found a connection between dairy consumption and certain cancers. Leading Harvard University nutrition experts have expressed concern that the hormones in dairy products and other growth factors could stimulate the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors. ⁽¹⁰⁾ Consumption of milk and dairy products on a regular basis has been shown to increase circulating levels of IGF-1. One of the most convincing associations between IGF-1 levels and cancer risk can be seen in studies of prostate cancer. ^(11)(12)

4 Dairy can cause diabetes

Insulin-dependent diabetes (childhood-onset, type 1) has been linked to the consumption of dairy products in infancy. There are several research studies that show a connection. A 2001 Finnish study of 3,000 infants with genetically increased risk for developing diabetes showed that early introduction of cow’s milk increased susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics observed up to a 30 percent reduction in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in infants who avoided exposure to cow’s milk protein for at least the first three months of their lives. ⁽¹³⁾

5 Dairy can weaken bones

Another myth we’ve been told and believe is that milk builds strong bones. Turns out that may just be another way the dairy industry is trying to sell its products. A recent set of studies involving 100,00 men and women followed up for two decades, suggested milk may, in fact, increase bone and hip fracture rates. ⁽¹⁴⁾

The high animal protein content of dairy can induce acidosis from its high proportion of sulfur-containing amino acids, which in turn leads to the body compensating by leaching calcium from the bones to help neutralize the increased acidity. Over time, all of this can have a detrimental effect on bone health. ⁽¹⁵⁾

Yes, there is calcium in milk products, but there is also a ton of saturated fat and cholesterol, which is far more detrimental than the benefits of that one nutrient, especially when we are able to get calcium from plants. Instead of reaching for that carton of milk or yogurt, try exercising, which has shown to increase bone density and decrease the risk of osteoporosis. ⁽¹⁶⁾

6 Dairy can contribute to heart disease

Cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke, accounts for one out of three deaths in the U.S. ⁽¹⁷⁾

Diets high in fat and especially in saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease and can cause other serious health problems. Dairy products like milk, butter, yogurt, and cheese contain a significant amount of fat and cheese is the top source of artery-clogging saturated fat in the American diet. ⁽¹⁸⁾

7 Dairy has been linked with many other diseases

Dairy is associated with an increased risk of several immune-related disorders (from allergic conditions to autoimmune diseases), many being life-changing and difficult to treat. The associations with type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis are particularly concerning. ⁽¹⁹⁾

Dairy consumption may also play a role in an increased risk of asthma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and elevated blood pressure, among other health concerns such as recurring canker sores. ^(20)(21)

Plant-based dairy alternatives

Today, nearly every grocery store, if not all, offers plant-based milk from either soy, almond, cashew, rice, hemp or coconut among others.

A large variety of non-dairy yogurts from Forager, So Delicious, Kite Hill, Forager, Silk, CoYo, Traer Joe’s, Stonyfield and Almond Dream are everywhere now.

Vegan cheeses have improved ten folds just in recent years. Incredible, artisan-style nut-based cheese ranging from spreadable “goat” cheeses to mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, parmesan, and provolone are available from Miyoko’s Kitchen, Treeline, Kite Hill, Punk Rawk Labs, Follow Your Heart and Violife to name a few.

Long-standing companies like Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers and Haagen-Daaz have released many vegan ice cream options, while So Delicious, Trader Joe’s, Nada Moo, Van Leuwen and Talenti are other examples of wonderful dairy-free products.

Additionally, creamers from Silk, Califa Farms, Trader Joe’s Wildwood and many of the previously named brands, have been perfected and will taste delicious in your coffee or tea.

With the explosion of non-dairy options out there and new ones being released every day, and with all the information about the dangers of dairy, it has really should be a no-brainer and so easy to ditch dairy. Websites, companies and coaches are there to help with suggestions, support and recommendations if you would like to make the switch.

As always, I recommend starting slow. Perhaps start with plant-based milk in smoothies and when you’re baking. Try out a coconut milk yogurt with some granola and sliced fruit. Then progress to trying out some of the other replacements, one by one, as I suggested above.

It has been suggested that the 8 diseases found in the top 10 leading causes of death, can be reversed or prevented with a vegan diet. ⁽²²⁾ Whether you are considering going vegan or not, making efforts to reduce your dairy intake, is a significant and important step towards stronger health.

References

1. Palmer, Sharon MD. The Plant-Powered Diet. New York: The Experiment LLC. 2012. Print
2. Lactose Intolerance. US National Library of Medicine. May 2010. Web. July 31, 2018.
3. Barnard, Neal D. MD. The Cheese Trap. New York: Hachette Book Group. 2017. Print.
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5. Your Guide to Going Dairy Free. Free From Harm.Org. October 24, 2013. Web. July 20, 2018.
6. Hormones in Dairy Foods and Their Impact on Public Health – A Narrative Review Article. NCBI: National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. June 2015. Web. July 25, 2018.
7. The Possible Role of Female Sex Hormones in Milk from Pregnant Cows in the Development of Breast, Ovarian and Corpus Uteri Cancers. Med Hypotheses. NCBI. 2005. Web. July 25, 108.
8. Exposure to Exogenous Estrogen through Intake of Commercial Milk Produced from Pregnant Cows. NCBI. Feb 2010. Web. July 25, 2018.
9. Dairy: 6 Reasons You Should Avoid It At All Costs. Dr. Mark Hyman. Web. July 25, 2018.
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13. Milk consumption and circulating insulin-like growth factor-I level: a systematic literature review. NCBI. PubMed.Gov. 2009. Web. July 27, 2018.
14. Policy statement: breastfeeding and the use of human milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics. March 2012. Web. July 28, 2018.
15. Greger, Michael MD. How Not To Die. New York: Flatiron Books. 2015. Print.
16. 7 Ways Milk and Dairy Products Are Making You Sick. Forks Over Knives. Web. July 25, 2018.
17. Health Concerns About Dairy Products. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Web. July 26, 2108.
18. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2018 At-a-Glance. American Heart Association. Jan 2018. Web. July 24, 2018.
19. Health Concerns About Dairy Products. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Web. July 26, 2108.
20. 7 Ways Milk and Dairy Products Are Making You Sick. Forks Over Knives. Web. July 25, 2018.
21. Dairy. Nutritionfacts.org. Web. July 24, 2018.
22. Correlation between milk and dairy product consumption and multiple sclerosis prevalence; a worldwide study. NCBI. Pubmed.gov. 1992. Web. July 24, 2018.
23. Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death. Forks Over Knives. August 22, 2012. Web. July 24, 2018.