Are you a big fan of dairy milk? Did you know that humans are the only species that drink milk past infancy? Also, we are the only species to drink the milk of another animal – that grows to be 1500 pounds!!
If you are still drinking cow’s milk, it’s time to ask yourself two question. Firstly, are you a calf? Secondly, are you aiming to grow to 1500 pounds?
Dairy milk is specifically designed to nourish a baby cow. It contains all of the nutrients necessary to grow a calf into a healthy, 1500 pound adult cow. The same is true for human breast milk. It is perfectly designed to nourish a developing infant.
Dairy milk contains proteins that are much larger than those in human breast milk. As such, it is very difficult for humans to break it down effectively. Because of this, our body identifies dairy milk as an invader in our system. So in response, our bodies go into defensive mode. Dairy sensitivities and allergies can then develop which can wreak havoc on your immune system long term.
Common Dairy Misconception: But If I Don’t Drink Milk, Where Will I Get My Calcium?
The dairy industry has done an excellent job marketing milk to “protect your bones”. Assigning it as the go-to substance to fulfill your daily requirements for calcium. Studies have reported higher contents of calcium circulating in the blood stream after drinking milk. However, what these studies fail to illustrate is the source of where the calcium came from.
Milk creates a very acidic residue inside the body. In order to maintain a healthy pH internally, it must be buffered immediately by an alkaline balance. Your body’s response to this acidic effect (caused by ingesting milk) is to release calcium stored inside your bones. This will buffer the acidic levels and bring them back to a safe reading.
So, yes. After drinking milk, there is more calcium in your bloodstream. However, this is only because your body had to release it from its own storage inside your bones. For more information on bone health, click here to read, “Calcium without Vitamin K2 is a Heart Breaker”.
So Where Will I Get My Calcium?
Where do cows get their calcium? Greens! It is much easier for your body to break down and assimilate nutrients from fruit and vegetables. Especially compared to breaking down dense, heavy foods like meat and dairy products. Include the following in your diet for great sources of calcium that your body can easily use.
For some great ‘green’ recipes, click here to read, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes”.
Important Tip:
Focus on magnesium if you are worried about your bone health and calcium levels. The majority of adults are deficient in magnesium. As a result, serious health issues may develop. Having excessive amounts of calcium in the body, while having a deficiency in magnesium, can lead to the following according to Dr. Mercola:
- Heart disease
- Problems with your heart muscle spasming
- Sudden heart attack
Be sure you are getting enough magnesium. Eat your green leafy veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, and avocados.
Further Reading
According to Harvard Medical School;
“You need magnesium for many tasks. It’s involved in more than 300 chemical reactions in the body. Muscles need this mineral to contract; nerves need it to send and receive messages. It keeps your heart beating steadily and your immune system strong.”
For the full article, click here to read, “What you should know about magnesium”.
References:
http://www.dairymoos.com/how-much-do-cows-weight/
https://www.iofbonehealth.org/osteoporosis-musculoskeletal-disorders/osteoporosis/prevention/calcium/calcium-content-common-foods
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/03/03/magnesium-drinking-water.aspx
https://draxe.com/is-milk-hurting-or-helping-your-bones/
Jo-Anne Richardson has almost a decade of experience managing a chiropractic office and educating patients on how chiropractic can allow your body to express optimal health. She is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and holds a Degree in Communications. She loves to experiment with raw vegan recipes, loves to salsa dance, travel and learn new holistic health information to share tips with everyone who visits the office.