milk
Cow’s milk has a lot of calcium but also may contain PCBs and other industrial pollutants, steroid hormones (more in skim milk), banned pesticides, saturated fat, and is on par with Coca Cola for antioxidant content (see also here and here). Milk may also block nutrients and does not appear to improve bone density. Consumption may increase risk for acne (videos here, here, here, here), an expanding waistline, increased mucus production, canker sores, twin births, premature puberty, life-threatening events, autism, and SIDS (crib death) in infants, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer promotion and mortality. Dairy industry-funded studies about milk’s purported health benefits have been accused of bias.
Calcium from many dark green leaf vegetables is better absorbed than the calcium in milk and also contains fiber, folate, phytonutrients and other nutrients lacking in calves’ milk. Likewise, plant-based sources of iodine may be preferable. Soymilk, now included in the USDA’s dietary guidelines, is an excellent alternative—just make sure to shake it since the fortified calcium can settle. Both soymilk and cow milk, however, may block the benefits of tea.
See also the related blog posts: Skim Milk and Acne, Cow’s Milk Casomorphin, Crib Death, and Autism, Mad Cow California: Is the Milk Supply Safe?, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board accused of making illegally deceptive claims
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Watch videos about milk
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The Acne-Promoting Effects of MilkDairy is considered a major cause of the acne epidemic and other more serious chronic diseases in the Western world due to the "abuse" of the mammalian postnatal signaling system by widespread cow..
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Skim Milk and AcneThree Harvard studies linking acne with dairy consumption in adolescent girls and boys blamed the sex steroid hormone content naturally found in cow's milk (even without added hormones), particularly..
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National Dairy Council on Acne and MilkThe Harvard Nurses' Study found an association between high school dairy intake and severe physician-diagnosed acne.
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Cow’s Milk Casomorphin and AutismOpiate-like casomorphins liberated from the cow’s milk protein casein are accused of participating in the cause of such conditions as: autism, crib death, type I diabetes, postpartum psychosis,..
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Cow’s Milk Casomorphin and Crib DeathBovine casomorphin from cow's milk is suspected to increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome, or crib death) based on the elevated blood levels in babies suffering acute..
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Cow’s Milk-Induced Infant ApneaThe opiate-like effects of the casomorphin in cow's milk may have a depressive effect on the respiratory center of infants and lead to "milk apnea," in which babies temporarily stop breathing and are..
