Dairy Truth

by Deb Bromley

What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk may be two of the biggest culprits in skyrocketing rates of high cholesterol? Cholesterol is actually being produced by our own bodies all of the time as a natural mechanism to combat oxidation when our bodies are diseased. Therefore, if we are not well, our cholesterol levels are likely to be higher regardless of what we eat that contains cholesterol. Having too low of a cholesterol level is just as bad as having too high.

Avoiding eggs and other foods that naturally contain cholesterol may not be the best solution, nor taking cholesterol-lowering drugs with their plethora of harmful side effects. For example, eggs are actually extremely healthy in moderation, being that they contain nutrients present at the beginning of life. Fatty meats are often harmful simply because fats store toxins, and animals not raised naturally have often been injected with antibiotics, hormones, steroids, and graze on grounds containing pesticides and fertilizer residue.

Two of the most harmful, and most common, everyday products we are ingesting that contribute to high cholesterol, and thus plaque in the arteries, are homogenized milk and chemically-treated tap water.

The explanation is far more complicated than I will cover here, but basically homogenizing milk involves the breaking down of fat particles to such a small size that the milk looks nice and smooth with no chunks of cream, but these smaller fat particles can permeate the intestines and end up in your blood stream. On the other hand, fresh unhomogenized milk from the farm, assuming the cows have not been exposed to chemicals, with its cream floating to the top, is natural and not a harmful form of fat. The larger fat molecules pass through the digestive system and nutrients are properly absorbed without fat entering the bloodstream. This cream, of course, can also be skimmed off the top of the milk and used for other purposes.

Studies have shown that many of the chemicals present in tap water that were added to kill bacteria, such as chlorine, often react with and oxidize cholesterol already in the body, forming a gummy substance (plaque) that actually sticks to, and clogs, the arteries. And there are many more dangerous side effects of drinking chemically-treated water.

What can you do about it? If you want to lower your cholesterol, which is not an easy task once your body is not functioning properly regardless how much cholesterol you eliminate in your diet, first eliminate homogenized milk and stop drinking and cooking with tap water whenever possible. If you can’t always get unhomogenized milk, such as from a health store or organic farm, then fat-free regular organic milk is the next best choice so you’re not getting chemicals nor as much cholesterol. If you can afford it, put a good filter in your bathtub or shower and/or install a whole-house distillation system, as even bathing in chemically treated water is harmful because it absorbs through your pores, and chemicals in the steam are inhaled.

And don’t think you can turn to bottled waters — sometimes bottled waters are no better, as they can contain runoff from groundwater containing pesticides and fertilizers that are not removed and do not have to be reported. If the bottle says it has been purified by both reverse osmosis and carbon/charcoal treatments, it may be less contaminated. The healthiest water available today for purchase is probably distilled water, which most closely mimics the sun’s natural way of purifying water.

The best way to bind and pull cholesterol out of your body naturally and avoid chemicals is by eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (preferably organic and chemical-free) that haven’t been processed or “enriched” by synthetic means such as bleached white breads, white rice, white pasta, etc. Since your body has been overoxidizing, antioxidants may help speed recovery, and hence indirectly lower cholesterol. There are natural and safe cholesterol-lowering supplements available at health stores, including plant-based polycosinol, but always check to make sure there are no supplement, herb, or drug interactions if you are, or plan to continue, taking medications concurrently. Never stop medications abruptly. And lastly, since much of our soil has been depleted of minerals from chemicals, and most processed foods lack sufficient vitamins, most people should always take a potent natural vitamin and mineral supplement to help speed healing and to maintain their health.

To view a version of this article containing links to free informative resources that will help you combat high cholesterol, avoid disease-causing toxins in your food and environment, and treat other health conditions naturally, please visit the NatureGem web site at http://www.naturegem.com and select the article title.

About The Author
Deb Bromley is a former science and technology researcher and the President of NatureGem Nontoxic Living, an organization devoted to promoting awareness of toxins in our food and environment that can cause disease, and providing access to nutrition information, natural remedies, and alternative health resources.

If you think you are doing yourself and your infant a favor by feeding them formula, think again! Medical experts are starting to come out and speak out against dairy for infants. Babies need mother’s milk not cow’s milk! After all, you are raising a baby, not a calf. The following excerpts support the truth that cow’s milk is unfit for human consumption.

In the Townsend Medical Letter dated May 1995, Julie Klotter, M.D. writes:

“In reality, cow’s milk, especially processed cow’s milk, has been linked to a variety of health problems, including: mucous production, hemoglobin loss, childhood diabetes, heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis, kidney stones, mood swings, depression, irritability, ALLERGIES.”

And Nathaniel Mead, M.D. wrote in Natural Health in July 1994:

“At least 50% of all children in the United States are allergic to cow’s milk, many undiagnosed. Dairy products are the leading cause of food allergy, often revealed by diarrhea, constipation, and fatigue. Many cases of asthma and sinus infections are reported to be relieved and even eliminated by cutting out dairy.”

In August 1994 in the report, “A Prospective Study of Humoral Immune Response to Cow Milk Antigens in the First Year of Life” in Pediatric-Allergy-Immunology, the following statement is written:

“Formula-fed babies, at the age of three months, were secreting low levels of serum antibodies to bovine proteins contained in their formula.”

In the same periodical in the same month, the article titled “Epidemiological and Immunological Aspects of Cow’s Milk Protein ALLERGY and Intolerance in Infancy” states:

“Most formula fed infants developed symptoms of ALLERGIC rejection to cow milk proteins before one month of age. About 50-70% experienced rashes or other skin symptoms, 50-60 percent gastrointestinal symptoms, and 20-30 percent respiratory symptoms. The recommended therapy is to avoid cow’s milk.”

So, by eliminating dairy products in the diet of an infant can prevent many allergies for these children. Dairy at a young age could be the trigger for allergies later in life. Humans are not meant to digest cow’s milk and these studies bear that out.

Millions of dollars are spent each year fighting allergies. Doctors’ office visits, over-the-counter remedies, prescription drugs, painful injections, and lost time-off from work are all affecting millions of people each year. But there may be a simple curre to eliminating allergies that cost nothing! Yes, the cure may be free!

In July 1994, Dr. Nathaniel Mead, M.D. wrote in Natural Health:

“At least 50% of all children in the United States are allergic to cow’s milk, many undiagnosed. Dairy products are the leading cause of food allergy…Many cases of asthma and sinus infections are reported to be relieved and even eliminated by cutting out dairy.”

A simple cure to eliminate allergies is to simply eliminate all dairy! This includes the obvious milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and cream, but also includes one of the toughest dairy habits to break: ice cream! One dairy product that you have to be diligent to eliminate would be casein. Casein is the predominant phosphoprotein found in fresh milk. In addition to being consumed in milk, casein is used in the manufacture of adhesives, binders, protective coatings, plastics (such as for knife handles and knitting needles), fabrics, food additives and many other products. It’s not wonder that this protein can cause havoc in our bodies! It is not only used as a thickener in other foods, it is also used to make adhesives and plastics. Just think what those milk proteins are doing in our bodies.

And Dr. Mead is not alone in the belief that dairy products are the root cause of allergies in people. Dr. Julie Klotter, MD wrote in the Townsend Medical Letter in May 1995:

“In reality, cow’s milk, especially processed cow’s milk, has been linked to a variety of health problems, including: mucous production…and allergies.”

And lastly, the Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 1983; 19(9):806-809 reports:

“Dairy products may play a major role in the development of allergies, asthma, sleep difficulties, and migraine headaches.”

So this Spring, when the grasses and trees all start to bloom, instead of reaching for those antihistamines, decongestants, and other more-powerful and dangerous drugs, try this simple cure: eliminate all dairy for 30 days. Thirty days may seem like an eternity when it comes to the magnetic draw of cheese or ice cream, but imagine thirty days of clear breathing, restful sleep, and higher energy levels.