We all grew up with our beloved dairy. Grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream cones at the beach, macaroni and cheese (blue box blues), and I’m pretty sure milk and cereal got me through college. If someone told me five years ago to give up dairy, I probably would have pushed them down a flight of stairs, spit in their face, or even laughed politely. So why did I give it up?
Let’s put arguments of hormones, pesticides, and all matters of social injustice aside for a moment, and look at what milk does when it goes into your body.
- Holy phlegm!: Phlegm is your body’s self-defense mechanism for combating an acidic environment. Ironically, milk is very acidic and your body combats this acidity by producing phlegm. Thank you? Even though it may come in handy for reenacting Titanic scenes (alla hulk-a-loogy style), we can all agree that it is unpleasant to have this white gunky build-up in our throats.
- It leaches calcium and potassium from your bones: Milk and dairy actually creates an acidic state in your body, called metabolic acidosis. To neutralize this, your body actually takes calcium and potassium from your bones, leaving your bones porous and brittle. This may explain why countries who drink the most milk actually have the highest rates of hip fractures and osteoporosis. Be wary when taking calcium in pill form. These pills are hard to digest and instead of absorbing this calcium, your body instead registers it as a calcium influx, causing more leaching from your bones. Instead try an isotonic version balanced with minerals, so that it is absorbed properly and at appropriate ratios. I take this for Calcium Complete every day before I go to bed. Additionally it helps protect against acid reflux while you sleep!
Let’s also not forget about those pearly whites! We want them to sparkle and shine, and by reducing milk and animal products, your teeth will be stronger and whiter, with less cavities.
When the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asked the USDA to look into the scientific basis of the claims made in the “milk mustache” ads, their panel of scientists found no evidence that dairy is good for your bones or prevents osteoporosis, and furthermore they found it’s linked to prostate cancer and heart disease, causes digestive problems, aggravates IBS, and may contribute to allergies, sinus problems, ear infections, constipation, and Type I diabetes.
But don’t take my word for it. Give it a try. How would you cut dairy from your life? How could you modify meals?
What difference might it make in your life?
They say that cow’s milk is mother nature’s perfect food, but it’s really the perfect food to grow a baby calf. As a member of the human race, I urge you to think if you’d like to grow like a cow or a human?
Did you grow up with milk? Do you find it hard to give up? Did you give it up and notice a difference in how you felt? What milk alternatives are your favorite?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Write below and let me know your thoughts! I love hearing from you!
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