Do we need dairy products for calcium?
“It’s important to remember what dairy products really are. They’re made by a cow for only one purpose that Mother Nature ever thought about, which is to nourish a calf. And if you want a calf to grow to be as big as a sofa within a matter of months, you pack a lot of fat in there. And the fat that’s packed into dairy is mostly saturated fat. That’s the bad one. That’s the one that raises cholesterol levels, and the one that’s most linked to Alzheimer’s disease. There’s also a huge amount of sugar as the milk comes out of the cow’s utter into your glass or into your ice cream. And this is not table sugar added to the milk…it’s lactose that the cow makes in order to provide the energy for the calf.” Dr. Neal Barnard, physician, clinical researcher, & author, offers insight backed by research on the purpose of dairy and the detrimental effects dairy products have to humans. As he states, the purpose of a cow’s milk is to feed a calf, providing it with the nutrients it needs to grow to adulthood. The milk contains the nutrients that a CALF needs, not a baby human. Cow’s milk contains different proteins than humans have, and when ingested, the human body’s immune system can reject and attack these foreign proteins leading to chronic diseases such as Type 1 diabetes and asthma. The protein found in cow’s milk, casein, has also been linked to promoting the growth of cancer cells in both men and women. Furthermore, the high saturated fat content in dairy products promotes atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, most people today still believe that it is healthy and necessary to have at least one glass of milk per day to build strong bones and meet your calcium quota. But, do we need dairy products for calcium?
Think. Cows don’t produce calcium. It is an element of the Earth. How do cows produce milk with calcium in it? They eat GRASS. Calcium goes through the roots of the grass. So, if we eat green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, and brussel sprouts, the calcium goes into our body. This way we get calcium without all of the harmful fats, proteins, and sugars found in cow’s milk. The calcium in leafy greens also has a higher absorption rate of 50-60% whereas the body only absorbs 32% of the calcium found in cow’s milk. Spinach is the exception. It contains a lot of calcium, but the absorption rate is not as good as other leafy greens. As we all know, calcium is important for strong bones, especially to avoid osteoporosis later in life. But did you know that the protein found in cow’s milk can actually have a counter effect? The proteins in cow’s milk create an acidic environment when ingested prompting the body to pull calcium from the blood to neutralize the acid. It has been found that this process of neutralization can actually lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Bottomline, we need calcium. We don’t need cow’s milk. We need leafy greens.
Side note, it is important to mention that you don’t want to isolate a certain nutrient. We are not advocating for a calcium supplement. It is important to learn about the various plants and foods that you can eat to get a variety of nutrients in a day. Yes, you need complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, iron, potassium, various vitamins, calcium, etc. Instead of calculating them like a math equation, eat a balanced, colorful diet, respond to your hunger cues, and you’ll get what your body needs.
There is much research explaining the harmful effects of dairy on the health of the human body. What about the stance of animal welfare and the environment? Many people just think that a cow produces milk. In order to produce milk, a cow has to be impregnated. Over and over again. If the calf is male, it is slaughtered for veal. If it is female, it is raised to produce milk. A cow’s natural lifespan is 20 years; however, if a female makes it to 4 years of age, it is slaughtered for beef. Sometimes the female cows become so weak from impregnation that they cannot stand any longer. They are called downers and sent to slaughter. Quite a terrible life.
In regard to the environment, a cow’s greatest detrimental contribution is methane gas. “Globally, agriculture is the largest source of human-caused methane emissions. And in the U.S., agriculture is responsible for about one third of total methane emissions. That’s on par with the oil and gas industry” (Environmental Defense Fund). A cow’s burp releases methane into the air as well as the decomposition of manure. This methane is trapped in the atmosphere thus contributing to the harmful effects of global warming. Additionally, the increasing demand for meat and dairy products has led to a massive need for agricultural land. This in turn has led to deforestation affecting other animals and their habitats. If you are interested in learning more, watch the 2014 documentary Cowspiracy on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or YouTube.
So, what do we need to do? Start small. Educate yourself. Research dairy, unlearn previously accepted ideas, keep an open mind, and take control of your health. Instead of buying milk or using it for baking, try a milk substitute. Buy almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or pea protein milk. There are so many new milk alternatives and coffee creamers in the grocery store. Be sure to read the ingredients though, and opt for one that has little to no sugar or oil additives. The original Oatly is a good oat milk choice. For kids, I suggest the original Ripple Kids Plant-Based Milk. It is fortified with DHA Omega-3’s, choline, and prebiotic fiber as well as calcium, magnesium, riboflavin, and vitamins A, D, and B12. Use these milk alternatives in your coffee, in your smoothies, over cereal, in your oatmeal, and in your baking. This small swap will lead to big advances in your health and the overall health of our planet. The cows thank you!
For more information about dairy from Dr. Barnard click this link to watch an informative video! Dairy Is Unhealthy? Convince Me | Dr. Neal Barnard Responds on Live Q&A
