Nutrition Tips: Raw Milk - A Superior Health Food

But does raw milk deserve the bad rap that it has gotten?

Misconception and confusion surround the subject of raw milk, and it is a darn shame because if you follow society’s conventions and kowtow (no pun intended) to the unfortunate influence of “Big Dairy”, you’ll miss out on one of the greatest, and least expensive sources of nutrients that you and your family can enjoy.

Why Pasteurized Milk Is Problematic

- Heat treatment during pasteurization alters the configuration of its protein configuration, stripping it of most of its protein , nutrients, enzymes and antibodies

- Pasteurization leads to a loss of up to 66% of Vitamins A, D, E and F

- Vitamin C loss exceeds 50%

- Calcium loss of 50% or more depending on pasteurization temperature (makes you wonder about why you pay more for Horizon Dairy’s “ultra-pasteurization” process)

- Less than 10% of original enzymes remain after pasteurization

- Pasteurized milk can actually PROMOTE allergies and autoimmune dysfunction

- Pasteurized milk is completely stripped of phosphate, essential for absorption of calcium and development of a strong skeletal system

- Essential fatty acids are reduced by pasteurization

Health Benefits Of Raw Milk

- 100% of milk protein remains available

- 100% of minerals remain metabolically available

- Rich in enzymes and contains all 22 essential amino acids

- Rich in phosphate, essential for absorption of calcium

- Rich source of B12, a vitamin rare in non-meat sources

- 33% higher in Vitamin C than pasteurized milk

- Contains enzyme-based pathogen killers (i.e., prevents growth of e-coli and listeria among others)

- 2½ times higher in enzyme IgG, which inhibits rotavirus organisms that cause diarrhea in infants

Raw Milk Tastes Heavenly

Fresh, creamy and delicious! This is one switch that is easy to make.

Where Do I Find Raw Milk?

Commercial availability depends on where you live.

In California, raw milk, kefir and cheese (love “Organic Pastures” brand), is available at both Whole Foods and Wild Oats. Unfortunately, California is just about the only state most states where you can stroll into a local grocery and find raw milk products.

The best way to find a reputable raw milk source in your area is to check www.realmilk.com, your local chapter of the William A. Price Foundation, or contact a local dairy that will sell directly to you. There are also Cow Share programs (this sounds funny, I know), where several families buy a portion of a cow and share the milk. Imagine - your very own Bessie Girl!

If you do buy directly from a farm, be sure that the cows are mostly pasture fed and that the milk goes directly from the milking machine into a stainless steel tank. Once you get raw milk home be sure to keep it chilled (duh) and use it within one week.

Doesn’t Raw Milk Have More Bacteria Than Pasteurized?

Here’s the deal: Both raw and pasteurized milk contain bacteria. But while the bacteria in raw milk is the healthy result of lactic-acid fermentation that actually has protective properties, bacteria in pasteurized milk is the result of spoilage, which is what makes so many people sick.

The Truth About Contaminated Milk

Quite simply, low quality milk, whether pasteurized or raw, is unhealthy.

Consider this: In California, raw milk is widely sold in commercial grocery stores and consumed by millions of people. Recently, the Los Angeles County Board of supervisors eleased a report stating that between 1982-1997 there were NO outbreaks of illness from commercial raw milk while there were MANY, MANY (we are talking more than 219,000 in March 1985 alone) confirmed cases of illness such as salmonella from improperly pasteurized milk. Sadly, some of these cases even resulted in death.

Is Raw Milk Safe For Kids?

Personally, I believe that raw milk is one of the BEST dairy sources children can consume. There is abundant literature and evidence that raw milk is healthy and safe, even for infants. In fact, research shows that children fed raw milk have more resistance to diseases such as tuberculosis, flu, diphtheria, pneumonia, asthma, allergies and are also less prone to tooth decay. In addition, children fed raw milk have shown superior growth and calcium absorption.

Our children are precious and any decision regarding their health is one that must be undertaken with care. If you have questions regarding raw milk for you or your children I suggest you investigate further by going to www.realmilk.com/abstractsmilk. Also, be sure to read what health guru Dr. Mercola (www.mercola.com) has to say about raw versus pasteurized milk.

Don’t Just Go With The Flow

Choosing to try raw milk is one I first made with apprehension. After downing my first raw milk smoothie, I was impressed with the taste but immediately became hyper-aware of the goings-on in my belly. Since I had been raised on the mainstream myth that raw milk is dirty and pasteurized milk is pure, I was basically waiting for the emergence of an earth-shattering, cataclysmic stomachache.

I am pleased to tell you that after years of enjoying raw milk products, I feel my decision to reach for the raw was a good one. Stepping outside of the mainstream to find what is truly the healthiest option is empowering. Why should your health decisions be controlled by big business manipulations and shiny advertisements?

Take charge and then make a choice that is healthiest for you!

Love,
Health Sundae

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