Dairy: GOOD or BAD? (It's Complicated)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 20, 2023
“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.
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