When a female gives birth to an offspring the law of nature provides nourishment to the offspring by the females’ ability to produce milk. The milk produced is tailored to the nutritional needs of her specie. Milk is the source of nourishment from birth to the weaning period. Humans sometime choose to substitute mother’s milk for cow’s milk. There are major differences between human milk and cow milk. Human milk contains nutrients, proteins and enzymes required for an infant’s brain development, proper digestion and growth. Cow’s milk contains 2-3 times more protein than human milk. Now to look at that statement, since we know the importance of protein in our diet, one would think that cows’ milk would be the best choice. Although cow milk has more protein, it is higher in casein. Human milk protein source is higher in whey protein which is easier to digest. Casein, which is not as digestible, tends to form a curd in the abdomen. 100% of the protein in human milk is digested. Only 50% of cow’s milk protein is digested leaving the remaining 50% to be excreted by the infants’ kidneys. The mineral content of cows’ milk is 3-4 times higher than human milk meaning excess sodium. Diaper rash, eczema and diarrhea in babies fed cow’s milk can be a result of the lack of linoleic acid which is 4% lower in cow’s milk than in human milk. Today, top milk producing cows yield 50,000 pounds of milk per year. This is 48,000 pounds more than fifty years ago. How do you think this happened? Drugs, antibiotics, hormones, forced feeding and breeding account for this increase. I am sure you are familiar with the statement - “milk does the body good” but that is not true for everybody. For some, milk is a poison resulting in diseases that damage the intestines (Crohns disease, celiac disease and malabsorption syndrome. It is also felt that the intolerance of milk could be a contributing factor to colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), spastic colon and gastroenteritis. Few people are born with lactose intolerance but as you age, the number of people who are increases significantly. Genetically, the body was not designed to drink milk pass the weaning period. Our ability to produce enzymes needed for its digestion decreases and eventually ceases with age. It goes to say that humans are the only mammals that continue drinking milk pass that period. I will not argue that your body needs calcium but think about it…where do cows get the calcium that is found in their milk? They get it from the grain and grasses they eat. There are many alternative sources of calcium that could help us meet our dietary needs. Salmon, sardines, leafy vegetables, walnuts, dried beans are to name a few. Milk is not essential to a healthy diet. It has become a convenience food and with weighing the additives to milk today you could be healthier without it.
This is very informative. Although I tried to breast feed my son, it just didn't work out for me. Perhaps with the next baby I will be more successful.
Wednesday, October 15th 2008 at 11:33PM
Jen Fad
