Oh, MUM! – Photo Courtesy: Keith Marshall
My family and I recently visited a dairy farm in Indiana, where children can milk cows and learn all about how milk does a body good. My son loves animals, so I saw no harm in letting him pet the cows. But, I also had some detective questions of my own for the staff.
I asked them to allow me to purchase raw milk. I was met with a wall of negativity and given a laundry list of the dangers of un-pasteurized dairy. I know that they cannot legally sell it to me (and I’m not sure that I’d even drink it if they did). But, I wanted to get a sense of their true feelings on the subject.
Raw Dairy Contains Live Enzymes and Bio Available Nutrition
I’ve personally witnessed the healing powers of raw butter and fermented raw milk (kefir), in this last year. If cows are fed a natural diet of grasses, they produce clean milk with potential healing power. Of course, their milk is ideal for their own young. However, raw butter can help heal the gut lining of humans, and prepare the gut for absorption of beneficial bacteria. In cases where a leaky gut leads to autism in children, many parents have found success using raw butter. I am not one of these parents. I find that milk of any sort is mucous forming and unnatural for my family.
The woman at the farm would not elaborate on the cows’ diets.
She would only say that they are fed a special blend of grains and grasses. We only began pasteurizing and homogenizing dairy in this country for the sake of money. Farmers wanted to be able to save money on animal feed and produce more money making milk; producing in mass quantities without ideal diets or refrigeration meant that the animal’s milk would need to be heated in order to kill bacteria. Obviously, the milk from the Indiana farm was not healthy enough to be consumed raw.
The Real Dangers of Pasteurization
Most dairy for sale in this country is heat pasteurized to kill disease. And, while it does kill enzymes, it is not enough to destroy all potentially harmful organisms. This process also turns proteins (like casein) into poison. Without enzymes to aid in digestion, we are left with white poison that has absolutely no health benefits. The proteins in this type of milk are of no use to us at all.
According to Organic Pastures:
it has been theorized that the combination of grass feeding, no antibiotics used, no hormones, and low levels of grain used in diet cause a change in the cows immune system and rumen. This change in physiology directly inhibits pathogen development in the milk (actually a transfer from environmental contamination that does not seem to occur; there are no bad bugs in the manure that transfer into the milk and the clean raw milk is highly pathogen resistant).
Raw Milk on the Down-Low
So many people who decide that raw dairy is beneficial to their health have to purchase it from secret farm shares and pick it up in garages across suburban America. This is illegal, and those who are truly just trying to get healthy could get into some big trouble with the man.
What will it Take?
States like California currently sell raw dairy on the public market. Some raw foodists are citing the benefits of raw dairy in battling Cancer. Yet, it still remains one of the only food products that cannot legally be sold raw. And, so much misleading information is splattered across our television screens, billboards, magazine ads and radio ads that preach the greatness of milk.
What will it take to increase our standards of dairy farming so that we can allow healthier raw dairy to be sold? How will this affect America’s farmers?
Resources:
Drink it raw:Why is unprocessed milk the only illegal food in North Carolina? [Independent Weekly]
What is Real Milk? [Westin A. Price]
Living Foods for Life [Organic Pastures]
Gina Laverde is a Chicago-based writer and researcher whose expertise in natural health stems from her experiences with Body Ecology Diet, Blood Type Diet and homeopathic remedies. Gina believes that we’re in the midst of a serious world health crisis, and that the key to survival lies within our guts.
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David Askaripour says
Great article, Gina. Speaking about raw food, I think that humans — if they “must” eat meat — should consume it raw its natural form. I mean, since so many people think that we are natural carnivores, then why not eat your meat raw? In fact, they did a documentary on the discovery channel about a dude who hunts and eats raw prey with wolves and he’s MUCH healthier than most cooked foodist. Supposedly, he “never gets sick.” Interesting.
Gina Laverde says
Well, we do know that cooking food kills enzymes. So, eating meat raw (if it is completely organic and properly fed) isn’t such a weird concept. I’ve heard of people who marinate beef with digestive enzymes for 24 hours and then just slightly cook it. I myself have eaten ceviche (fish that has been soaked in citrus for 24 hours). Ceviche tastes cooked because the citrus breaks it down.
Some mom friends of mine feed their children raw eggs (free range organic), and swear by it.
I don’t believe that we are natural carnivores. But, i do believe that there are better ways of consuming meat, if we choose to do so. As for dairy — I believe raw should be made available to us.
I will say though, that it has been months since I’ve had meat and over a year since I’ve had dairy and I’m afraid going back would get me sick.
David Askaripour says
Gina, stay strong! Don’t go back to meat… no… Oh, and I just so we’re on the same page, I wasn’t implying that we are carnivores at all (just in case you thought so). I believe that we are naturally frugivores, actually 🙂
Gina Laverde says
Interesting, frugivores…. I just found a great doctor for my son who is right on target with most of my beliefs regarding nutrition. However, he is suggesting that we start feeding our boy meat…. I’m baffled. I’m studying more and trying to keep an open mind. I’m wondering what Dr. Raj would say.
Dr. Rajesh Vishwanathan says
Hi Guys,
Sorry! it has been ages since I visited your wonderful website. Great articles Gina and David. I am however against eating meat. I personally feel that the human body is programmed to be vegan. That would not tax the body. To take it further, we might be ideally suited to be fruitarians, that taxes the body the least. However, we have evolved and have adapted to eat grains, legumes etc. I think we have not evolved enough to become carnivores. Perhaps, we will but it might take billions of years. As for eating raw meat. I can only think of one word UGH!
Gina says
🙂 Not sure how an argument for raw dairy morphed into a conversation about eating raw meat. I know that I don’t need meat and am happy without it. But, my son doesn’t tell me what he needs — I have to guess or experiment. His doc says that children need protein and amino acids from many different sources or their muscles will begin to eat away at themselves. I’m still too afraid to put meat into his body because he is doing so well on cultured foods and veggies, grains and spirulina.
I am curious about the concept that fruit taxes our bodies less. Many fruits, especially make me dizzy, skin breakouts and feel yukky all over.
Pramila Srinivasan says
Raw Butter certainly has its benefits. We have tried it for an autistic gut. There are occasions when the casein intolerance is so high that it is not tolerated, but at other times I think it is beneficial. We are lucky to be in California where we get it in health food stores.
Pramila
Gina says
Hey Pramila,
Thanks for reading and sharing your experience. We have not tried raw butter. I have actually tried ghee in the recent past (lactose and casein free) I believe that it has its benefits in autism and gut healing — because of research and parent testimonials. But, my gut is telling me that it isn’t the best for our family right now. But, i’m definitely all for selling it raw and healthier. The milk and butter for sale now in my state (Illinois) is poison.
Gina
Laurel says
Did you know that bacteria in unpasteurized milk can kill an unborn child in the womb.
Gina says
yes, this is definitely what “they” would have us believe. I must say that I do not consume dairy regularly. I have candida and am nearing the end of really recovering from it. However, I have recently had some raw dairy and have not had any of the bad reactions that dairy has given me in the past.. (sore throat, stomach ache, acne).
Here is what I found from weston A Price (if you don’t know about Dr. price, he has some VERY interesting studies):
“Properly produced raw milk does not pose a danger to your baby, in spite of what numerous public health propagandists may assert. Raw milk contains enzymes and antibodies that make it less susceptible to bacterial contamination than pasteurized milk, while many toxins that cause diarrhea and other ailments survive the pasteurization process. Your nose will tell you if raw milk is contaminated or spoiled—but pasteurized milk may be seriously contaminated with no telltale warning odor. Raw milk is easier for your baby to digest than pasteurized and less likely to cause cramps, constipation and allergies. If it is not possible for you to obtain certified raw milk, begin with the best quality pasteurized whole milk you can find, milk that is not homogenized, and culture it for 12 hours with piima culture or kefir grains to restore enzymes lost through pasteurization (pages 83 and 88). Or, you may prepare a milk-free formula made from organic liver. Organic liver should also be added to formula made from goat milk, as goat milk is deficient in iron, folic acid and vitamin B12”
I welcome any more of your insight on this subject. Thanks for writing!!
Gina
Gina says
testimonies of people who have been positively affected by using raw milk: Raw Milk – Tell Us Your Story!
Laurel says
When I am pregnant I will not be testing what you beleive to be the opinions of public health propagandists. Personally I want to give my unborn baby any advantage possible to develop normally and healthy. Therefore I will not be drinking raw milk during conception or during my pregnancy.
Also please note that you have posted a response, to feed raw milk to children, which is not what I posted about. I was simply warning pregnant ladies to be aware of the potential dangers.
People have to read all the information presented to them to make an educated decision. I encourage anyone that wants to make any lifestyle change to read!
Gina Laverde says
Hi Laurel,
You are right. I didn’t fully address the unborn child statement that you made. As a mother, I always want to create the healthiest environment possible for my son. So I know what you mean. There are reasons for federal regulations and reasons why people oppose them. This is a reflection of our unique needs. I think one of the most important lessons to learn from reading health-related literature is that we have to build our own answers. Nobody can tell us the full story.
Your feedback was very insightful. Thank You
Gina
I never comment anyway says
I’m Romanian and I can’t help being amused and amazed at how many normal things are forbidden or unavailable in the US. I mean, raw milk? It’s not like it’s a goddamned drug. Sure, it can contain bacteria and whatnot, but put a label on it and let people decide for themselves.
I sometimes drink raw milk when I go to my grandma’s (she doesn’t keep cows but the neighbour does). I don’t particularly like it- it’s fattier, and has a different, stronger taste. But it’s probably just beacuse of habit. As a city kid, I’m used to pasteurized milk as “default”, but it’s sure as hell that the other doesn’t kill me either. Plus, you can just boil it if you’re bent on making it safer.
I don’t know what to say about you not feeding your kid dairy and meat. You know, people will survive on many different (and extreme) diets. The eskimos lived on only meat, they were strong enough to hunt and even just survive that climate, but they had typical illnesses because of the inbalance in the diet.
I’m pretty sure this is the first time in history someone can afford to keep their kid on an all-vegetarian diet that includes fancy stuff like spirulina, too. What you do is still an experiment. Your kid could grow healthier and stronger, or… not. But time will tell, and it’s logical that you do what your education says it’s best. It can’t be that bad since you keep them away from fast food and sweets. I just try to point out that maybe, humans would not be keeping certain things (like milk or meat) in their diet for hundreds of thousands of years if there were no considerable benefits.
Eliezer says
Properly cared for cows, hygiene and sanitation are the prerequisites to healthy raw milk, which is superior to all pasteurized products. Enzyme depleted foods are the cause of much disease, aging and suffering which goes beyond milk. Current health claims for pasteurized milk, are largely predicated upon the real benefits of quality raw milk. Factory style processing always diminishes quality. Rather than centralized production and distribution, which results it an emasculation of the people, we require a return to small independent family units. The CORPORATE model is not concerned about health or people, but about profit and control.
Loyda says
I just came across this website and have enjoyed it immensely.
As for milk, my siblings and I (9 of us) including my parents grew up drinking raw cow milk. We did not have any health problems at all! Purchasing it at the store (8+gallons a week) was not in our parents budget but the neighbor was more than willing to sell it to them at a lower price. As an adult I do agree that the organic kind is best and that is what we do now purchase for our family.
David Askaripour says
Thanks for the comment and visiting Skrewtips, Loyda! Please continue to read and contribute.
Eliezer says
Both pastuerized/homogenized dairy products, and saturated oils like margarine, canola etc, are no longer foods, but poisons which pollute the body’s cells & organs. Homogenization reduces the size of fat globuals, which can then be absorbed into the blood stream, thus causing arterial & cell damage. Cell walls formed from hydrogenated oils & homogenized dairy products do not have the same flexibility & function as cells formed from normal oils like olive & coconut. The centralized gathering & processing of food crops by self-serving CORPORATE FICTIONS, & the corresponding corruption & depletion of nutritional value, is anathema to human health & wellbeing. The CORPORATE COLLECTIVE & ITS factory reduction of human beings into 3.25% PATIENTS, CONSUMERS & PSYCHOLOGICAL CLONES, is a CRIMINAL CARTEL & COLLECTIVIST ENTERPRISE. Ironically, CORPORATE COLLECTIVISM undermines & destroys organic capitalism or the free market. The only tool which the people have to offset this pernicious process, is accurate knowledge, objective insight & understanding. The tyranny of convenience & entertainment must end. The FDA has made itself a shill for CORPORATE INTERESTS, has contempt for the people, and therefore, ITS legal pretexts are morally & ethically irrelevent. The law of the land, is the people’s law – law in commons or common law. “Do no harm,” has been violated to such an extent by the medical Pharmacuetical cartel. The MINIONS & PROXIES of the CORPORATE COLLECTIVE such as the FED & IRS, based in the anti-American enclave DISTRICT of COLUMBIA, has surreptitiously hyjacked the lawful functions of American Constitutional government. Therefore, we must totally withdraw our consent & repudiate ITS PRETENSE & un-lawful claims to govern. Much larger than milk, this is a war being waged by the ALLOPATHIC, PATHOCRATIC CORPORATE COLLECTIVE, in the name of control & profit. This war against the people includes a FIAT system of BANKING or currency, a CARTEL which seeks to comandeer the productive energies of the people into the non-accounatable service of the CORPORATE COLLECTIVE – An updated “scientific” mode of social FUEDALISM if you will. Such is the nature of a PATHOCRATIC CLERICAL CORPORATE FICTION. IT can be identified by ITS constant & multi-fauceted wars against almost everything & everyone. We have the perputual wars on cancer, heart disease, terrorism, “illicit” drugs, and insects that by design, are attuned to recycle distressed or inferior crops which result from exploited and depleted soils. We even a war on poverty, an oxymoron if there ever was one. To be sure, the ALLOPATHIC system is a multi-fauceted CARTEL of reduction, war and predation. IT has no capacity -is not complimentary to peace, health and life of any type, even & including the life sustaining benefits of clean, healthy raw milk. ITS war upon milk is only a symptom of the usurper 1886 US SUPREME COURT finding, that a CORPORATE FICTION could be a LEGAL “PERSON,” allegedly empowered with the full rights & capacities of free will men & women, which includes a so-called right to “privacy.” To be sure, LEGAL FICTION is the manipulation of the human mind & its deception through a corruption of words & their meanings. The people are deceived into thinking something is, that is not. The FICTION is not a man, nor does IT have a capacity for moral & ethical action of independent volition. The so-called PRIVATIZATION of public resources, is in reality, the hyjacking of public resources by CORPORATIONS, which serve only THEMSELVES. THEY have no capacity to respond to the moral & ehtical concerns of free will human beings, & are by normal definition, pathological liars, BEINGS – CORPUS’S without souls. In life, there are two things which are not givens, health & freedom. Every generation must assimilate or internalize the same lessons of freedom. Whereas masters are compensated – SLAVES are REWARDED. Only masters can return health & freedom to America. We must move ahead to the past. This begins with self-mastery coupled with noble motive & intention. We must fight to abolish slavery in all its deviant forms, especially the tyranny over thought & clearity of vision. The 2nd American revolution HAS begun. BIG MOTHER is a BITCH!
Steve says
The Raw Milk topic is one that amazes me. First, how can milk from the store be good for you? The cows are fed a steady diet of corn, steroids, hormones, antibiotics and the the milk is heated to a temperature that kills any healthy benefits. Most people are very uneducated on this subject. I drink raw milk all the time and use it in my daily breakfast smoothie that I load up with fruits or veggies. I’m lucky to have a dairy farm 2 miles from my house and I love to support the local farmers!
David Askaripour says
I agree! Thanks for sharing that, Steve. Raw food, including raw milk, is always better for you.