
Dairy: GOOD or BAD? (It's Complicated)
“My doc advised me to cut out dairy. Is it really that bad for you?”
– Mark
Hi Mark,
This is a tricky question to answer. Because it’s not nearly as straightforward as you might imagine.
On the surface, dairy is the PERFECT food. It has an excellent mixture of fats, proteins, and sugars.
Foods higher in fat and protein help you feel fuller for longer, so you eat less. Plus, they slow the digestion of sugars, which stabilizes blood sugar. In fact, dairy has even been linked to a LOWER risk of type 2 diabetes!
But some things can get in the way of it being the perfect food for everyone.
The first hurdle is that many folks have problems digesting dairy foods. This is called lactose intolerance, and studies show that around 65 percent of adults have a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy.
For most folks, that means they can manage a little dairy but not too much. Milk allergies are another thing altogether. But they’re also relatively rare.
Then there’s the matter of pasteurization. It’s considered a necessary evil for the safety of the large-scale, factory-farm-style production of dairy foods. However, it alters dairy products in ways that aren’t necessarily good for your health.
But that’s just the start of the issues with huge factory farms. The cattle are pumped full of various drugs and hormones to increase milk production and keep the stressed and overcrowded dairy cows from getting sick all the time.
Some of those “treatments” end up in the milk and, ultimately, in US. And the health consequences are unknown.
There’s speculation that the milk’s added hormones and natural growth factors could increase cancer risk, but more research is needed.
So, if you have a cow in your backyard that you can milk (and you aren’t lactose intolerant), dairy foods are delicious and nutritious. But when you add in all the manufacturing that stands between you and your glass of milk, things get cloudier.
For most folks, if you’re going to occasionally have cheese or milk, I don’t see a problem. But I wouldn’t make it a daily habit. As with most things in life, moderation is the key.
If you can buy your dairy from a local farmer, that’s your best bet. And always choose organic or pasture-raised dairy foods to avoid hormone and drug residues.
P.S. You can live a longer, healthier life by ensuring you get enough of THIS specific nutrient in your diet. I like to call it the “lazy man’s secret to super-aging.” CLICK HERE to discover what it is.
Source:
“Prevention or Delay of Type 2 Diabetes and Associated Comorbidities: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2022.” Diabetes Care 1 January 2022; 45 (Supplement_1): S39–S45

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...