For many years I suffered chronic ear infections and skin rashes that no doctor ever had a solution for. I tried over the counter and prescription drugs, but nothing helped clear up the acne or rashes. Then while I was living in Switzerland—the dairy capital of the world—I decided to give up dairy and you know what? My acne and rashes disappeared, and my ear infections, cysts, and allergies all went away too!
What is it about dairy then that caused all of this, and what other health problems can it cause? First, it’s important to note that dairy’s problems happen when it goes through pasteurization, which is a process used to destroy certain disease-carrying germs and prevent milk from souring. Pasteurization kills off harmful germs, but in turn also destroys any nutritious constituents.
So then why do so many people opt for pasteurized milk over raw milk? Well a lot of it has to do with the fact that pasteurized milk is easy to obtain and the popular belief that the germs in raw milk lead to tuberculosis in children. However, according an article on Mercola.com, this belief is not based on all substantial evidence, instead,
Recent figures published regarding the spread of tuberculosis by milk show, among other facts, that over a period of five years, during which time 70 children belonging to a special organization received a pint of raw milk daily, only one case of the disease occurred. During a similar period when pasteurized milk had been given, 14 cases were reported.
Based on this, one can assume that raw milk when compared to pasteurized milk is the safest and best choice, especially since pasteurization can cause rickets, bad teeth, nervous troubles, and setbacks in bone and brain formation, not to mention that it destroys 20 percent of the iodine present in raw milk which causes constipation and takes vital qualities from the milk.
But is raw milk the best solution or is there something better? I’d say there’s something better—fermented organic, grass fed, raw dairy is the best bet if you’re going to consume dairy products. According to an article by The World’s Healthiest Foods, “Grass feeding improves the quality of cow’s milk, and makes the milk richer in omega-3 fats, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and CLA (a beneficial fatty acid named conjugated linoleic acid).” Some benefits of grass-fed cow’s milk include:
- Broad-based nutrient support
- Antioxidant support
- Improved weight loss and improved fat loss
- Decreased risk of bone fractures in children
And with increased amounts of CLA, grass fed milk provides: immune and inflammatory system support, improved bone mass, improved blood sugar regulation, reduced body fat, reduced risk of heart attack, and the maintenance of lean body mass, not to mention the fact that fat composition of 100% grass fed whole cow’s milk is healthier and better for you than the pasteurized milk most people consume. Dairy is still the occasional treat for me and is not part of my food repertoire. But when it is, it is raw, organic and grass fed and goat or sheep.
So when faced with the choice between pasteurized milk and raw milk, treat yourself and your health to the best milk for your body and for the earth—fermented organic, grass fed, and raw! Where are you going to find your raw dairy? Need some help? Just ask.