Is it in your refrigerator? Did you know milk consumption has decreased in the USA by 22% since 1980. While the consumption of sugary drinks, sodas, bottled teas, vitamin water, and energy drinks have doubled. Children no longer reach for a glass of milk, and many won't drink white milk, instead they sip on sugar laden liquids or flavored milk.
Why drink milk?
rBGH What's the hype and Is it dangerous?
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone otherwise known as rBGH, is a hormone injected into cows to increase their milk supply by approximately 20%. Doesn't sound too bad... it increases the milk supply a single cow can produce by about 20%, taking the average amount from ~6.5 gallons per day to ~7.8 gallons per day, multiply that by a herd of 100, and you've increased milk production by 130 gallons per day. The extra milk is $$ to the conventional dairy man.... Unless, of course, you take in to consideration the health of the cow, and the health of the consumer, YOU.
The cow injected with rBGH is 55-80% more likely to suffer from mastitis, which must be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics end up in the milk you drink along with the rBGH hormone. The health of the cow is also in danger when given rBGH. The cows body is tricked into producing more milk by taking fat and body reserves and turning them into milk. The cow's skeleton is weakened and many will suffer bone loss and have to be killed.
Why is rBGH bad for you? It has been linked to increased rates of colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Some studies have linked the use of rBGH in cows to early onset of puberty in girls, the results of these studier are controversial, but more studies are being done to prove it. Milk which is rBGH free is often more nutritious containing more conjugated linoleic acid as well as other nutrients. Many believe this is a result of the dairy farmers allowing their cows to graze and eat grass as opposed to being 'lot' confined. Dairy men who are opposed to rBGH are generally more concerned about raising cows the way they were designed to be raised. They allow their cows to be in open air, and graze on grass as opposed to standing on cement in a lot all day.
In a nation where many doctors are quick to offer antibiotics for every little ache and pain, many 'germs' are becoming antibiotic resistant. The last thing we need is to be consuming more antibiotics in our milk, just another reason to steer clear of rBGH.
Stores in the US such as Walmart, Kroger and Safeway have switched their private labels to rBGH Free milk and more than 291 hospitals have signed a pledge to serve only rBGH Free milk. Countries such as Europe, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia have banned the use of rBGH. Why isn't our FDA following suit?
I personally believe milk in its most natural state is best: taste and nutrition wise. With that being said, no, we aren't currently drinking raw milk. We are drinking non-homogenized, VAT pasteurized milk. In all honesty it boils down to laziness on my part. It is hard for me to get to the dairy where I can purchase it weekly. I've chosen the VAT milk because I believe it is the next best thing. Someday I'll get back to my regular dairy trips, someday.
For a list of farmers and suppliers of Real Milk, click here.
Why drink milk?
- Milk is one of the most concentrated sources of calcium. Our bones are made up of calcium, something our bodies cannot produce. We must get it from our diet, without calcium our bones will become weakened.
- Milk is the 1# source of vitamin D, an important vitamin for proper calcium absorption. In recent studies, vitamin D has also been shown to reduce the risks for some cancers, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, as well as improve immunity.
- Milk also is a great source of protein, helping to keep our muscles strong.
rBGH What's the hype and Is it dangerous?
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone otherwise known as rBGH, is a hormone injected into cows to increase their milk supply by approximately 20%. Doesn't sound too bad... it increases the milk supply a single cow can produce by about 20%, taking the average amount from ~6.5 gallons per day to ~7.8 gallons per day, multiply that by a herd of 100, and you've increased milk production by 130 gallons per day. The extra milk is $$ to the conventional dairy man.... Unless, of course, you take in to consideration the health of the cow, and the health of the consumer, YOU.
The cow injected with rBGH is 55-80% more likely to suffer from mastitis, which must be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics end up in the milk you drink along with the rBGH hormone. The health of the cow is also in danger when given rBGH. The cows body is tricked into producing more milk by taking fat and body reserves and turning them into milk. The cow's skeleton is weakened and many will suffer bone loss and have to be killed.
Why is rBGH bad for you? It has been linked to increased rates of colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Some studies have linked the use of rBGH in cows to early onset of puberty in girls, the results of these studier are controversial, but more studies are being done to prove it. Milk which is rBGH free is often more nutritious containing more conjugated linoleic acid as well as other nutrients. Many believe this is a result of the dairy farmers allowing their cows to graze and eat grass as opposed to being 'lot' confined. Dairy men who are opposed to rBGH are generally more concerned about raising cows the way they were designed to be raised. They allow their cows to be in open air, and graze on grass as opposed to standing on cement in a lot all day.
In a nation where many doctors are quick to offer antibiotics for every little ache and pain, many 'germs' are becoming antibiotic resistant. The last thing we need is to be consuming more antibiotics in our milk, just another reason to steer clear of rBGH.
Stores in the US such as Walmart, Kroger and Safeway have switched their private labels to rBGH Free milk and more than 291 hospitals have signed a pledge to serve only rBGH Free milk. Countries such as Europe, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia have banned the use of rBGH. Why isn't our FDA following suit?
I personally believe milk in its most natural state is best: taste and nutrition wise. With that being said, no, we aren't currently drinking raw milk. We are drinking non-homogenized, VAT pasteurized milk. In all honesty it boils down to laziness on my part. It is hard for me to get to the dairy where I can purchase it weekly. I've chosen the VAT milk because I believe it is the next best thing. Someday I'll get back to my regular dairy trips, someday.
For a list of farmers and suppliers of Real Milk, click here.
http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/BGH.html
