Is Dairy Bad for You?
For decades, balanced diets have included dairy products. In 2021, Americans reached a record high of dairy consumed per capita: 667 pounds. From butter and ice cream to fermented products like yogurt, dairy has become ubiquitous in the Western diet.
However, decades of research show conflicting evidence for the nutritional value of dairy. Milk is known for promoting healthy bones and muscle development. It’s often heralded as the best dietary source of calcium and vitamin D. In reality, dairy may be quietly contributing to a number of health crises. New research shows that eliminating or reducing dairy could be a key to preventative care.
Dairy Production
Dairy products can have a variety of effects on your patients, depending on how the dairy is processed. Almost universally, large dairy farms include additives in their dairy products. Thickeners and preservatives are used to increase the appeal and longevity of milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. These additives linger in the dairy products and directly enter your patients’ systems. The list of potentially harmful preservatives used in dairy products is extensive. Dairy preservatives include hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, and melamine. While these additives are included to reduce bacterial growth, they can become toxic additions to your patients’ total load.
Additionally, dairy cows are often given steroids to promote growth and milk production. Synthetic hormones are pervasive. Bovine somatotropin is regularly given to dairy cows to encourage full growth at a younger age. It results in a higher concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in their milk. This hormone, which has been connected to various systemic diseases, then transfers to dairy consumers.
Organic, Whole, and Skim Milk
To avoid the additives used by dairy distributors, many turn to organic dairy products as a healthy alternative. However, organic or not, cow milk works to bring a calf to full size within a year. These natural growth hormones persist in dairy throughout processing. Whether the milk is organic, whole, or skim, these growth hormones are invariably present in dairy products.
Skim milk also contains significant levels of D-galactose, which has been correlated with increased rate of cardiac aging and brain aging. Furthermore, organic and non-organic dairy alike contain xanthine oxidase, an enzyme known to cause a chain of oxidation. Over time, these factors can contribute to the development of severe health conditions.
Cancer
The correlation between cancer and dairy has been hotly debated. There is significant evidence that dairy consumption may increase the risk for several cancers. In particular, the synthetic hormone insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) has been a subject of interest. One study that included 526 men and women focused on the risks of milk consumption and exposure to IGF-1. The results showed that those who consumed milk had a much higher level of IGF-1. Each 200-gram increment in milk per day was associated with 10.0 µg/L higher IGF-1. IGF-1 has a positive association with several types of cancer, as has been well-documented in multiple large-scale reports. Consequently, this spike in IGF-1 levels highlights a significant risk of dairy consumption.
Dairy is also a major source of animal-derived estrogens in the human diet. Ovarian and breast cancer alike have been linked to dairy consumption. Consumption of full-fat and reduced-fat milk showed an increased occurrence breast cancer. Dairy’s high calcium levels may ultimately contribute to increased prostate cancer risk. Xanthine oxidase, a component of dairy, is likewise connected to various cancers.
Heart Health
There’s a similar connection between dairy products and cardiovascular disease. One study showed a correlation between consumption of milk and butterfat with heart disease fatalities. Furthermore, xanthine oxidase is, perhaps, most renowned for its cardiovascular effects. As an inflammatory component, xanthine oxidase can cause significant, repeated arterial damage. Some consider xanthine oxidase to have important antimicrobial effects against several pathogens. However, there’s significant evidence that xanthine oxidase contributes to hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and heart failure. As a result of long-term damage to organ function, dairy consumption can even cause ongoing arterial bleeding.
Additionally, dairy is a commonly unidentified food sensitivity. Patients with a sensitivity may unknowingly consume dairy for several years. The resultant low-grade inflammation can also contribute to heart strain.
Hormones
Both natural and synthetic hormones given to dairy cattle can alter human hormone levels. For consumers, synthetic hormones may contribute to the development of hormone imbalances. Estrogens, androgens, and other steroid hormones pass the blood-milk barrier. Many bovine hormones are present in the final dairy product. In the Western diet, dairy products account for as much as 60-80% of the estrogens consumed. Without careful monitoring, these hormonal levels can wreak havoc on your patients’ health and wellness.
Examine the Effects of Dairy with In-Depth Testing
As you develop the best diet plan for your patients, you need individualized, in-depth data. With Access Medical Labs’ Wellness Health Screens, you can check critical components of your patient’s overall wellness. From our basic to our extended panels, our results can inform your dietary recommendations. With a turnaround time of 24 hours, our panels are ideal for tracking progress during a treatment plan. Explore more from Access Medical Labs.
