| Home > Site Map > Recommendations > D > Dairy Products Avoidance |
| Whether through allergy, lactose intolerance, hormone contamination or infectious agents, the consumption of dairy products has contributed to chronic health problems in both children and adults. In some individuals, avoiding dairy products may contribute significantly to both short and long term health improvements and a sense of well being. Few food manufacturers would dare to compete with the dairy message which infers that no other foods contain the calcium contained in milk, and without milk and dairy products you're certain to one day end up with bone-crippling osteoporosis. The dairy industry and milk processors invest hundreds of millions of dollars each year to guarantee that Americans will continue to drink milk and eat dairy products, investing their money to continually let Americans know that milk tastes good and the intake of milk and dairy products must be continued to insure good health. American women have been drinking an average of two pounds of milk or eating the equivalent milk in dairy products per day for their entire lives. According to this regimen recommended by doctors and milk industry executives, women's bone mass would approach that of pre-historic dinosaurs. This line of reasoning should be equally extinct. The excess remaining calcium can cause problems: calcium builds up the mortar on arterial walls which becomes atherosclerotic plaques; calcium is converted by the kidneys into painful stones that can block the urinary tracts; excess calcium contributes to arthritis. Osteoporosis is not a problem that should be associated with lack of calcium intake. Osteoporosis results from calcium loss. Directions A trial period of strict avoidance and observation of symptom reduction would confirm the importance of avoiding dairy products. The continued use of dairy products along with supplemental lactase - a milk sugar digesting enzyme - could help distinguish between a simple lactose intolerance problem and other consequences of milk consumption. Avoiding dairy extends beyond obvious items such as milk, cheese or yoghurt. You will have to read the labels on everything you want to eat. |