Still drinking cow's milk? Think twice!

Besides depleting calcium from our bones, what else you should be aware of before giving your children, your parents or even yourself a glass of milk daily?

Cow’s milk is custom-designed for calves

Thanks to our creative ingenuity and perhaps related to our ancient survival needs, we adopted the dubious habit of drinking another species’ milk. Nobody can dispute that cow’s milk is an excellent food source for calves. Weighing around 100 pounds at birth, a calf typically gains approximately eight times its weight by the time it is weaned. But unlike humans, once calves are weaned, they never drink milk again. And the same applies to every mammalian species on this planet.

Also, each mammalian species has its own “designer” milk, and cow’s milk is no exception. For example, cow’s milk contains on average three times the amount of protein than human milk which creates metabolic disturbances in humans that have detrimental bone health consequences.

It’s important to bear in mind that mother’s milk is excellent nourishment for human babies, but its composition is very different from cow’s milk.

Scientific studies show that milk increases fracture risk

Many scientific studies contradict the conventional wisdom that milk and dairy consumption help reduce osteoporotic fractures. Surprisingly, studies demonstrating that milk and dairy products actually fail to protect bones from fractures outnumber studies that prove otherwise. Even drinking milk from a young age does not protect against future fracture risk but actually increases it. Shattering the “savings account” calcium theory, Cumming and Klineberg report their study findings as follows:

“Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in old age. (“Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Hip Fractures in the Elderly”. American Journal of Epidemiology. Vol. 139, No. 5, 1994).

And the 12 year long Harvard Nurses’ Health Study found that those who consumed the most calcium from dairy foods broke more bones than those who rarely drank milk. This is a broad study based on 77,761 women aged 34 through 59 years of age.

In the authors’ own words:

“These data do not support the hypothesis that higher consumption of milk or other food sources of calcium by adult women protects against hip or forearm fractures.” (Source: Feskanich D, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA. Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in women: a 12-year prospective study. American Journal of Public Health. 1997).

Shocking statistics ignored by mainstream medicine

In the Save Our Bones Program one of the topics I discuss is the complete disregard of scientific evidence that discredits milk and dairy products as the best source of calcium.

One exception is Amy Lanou Ph.D., nutrition director for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C., who states that:

“The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis are the ones where people drink the most milk and have the most calcium in their diets. The connection between calcium consumption and bone health is actually very weak, and the connection between dairy consumption and bone health is almost nonexistent.”

Surprised? You shouldn’t be, because as I mentioned earlier in this article…

Milk is an acidifying animal protein

Like any other animal derived protein-rich food, milk has a positive potential renal acid load (PRAL) which triggers a protective biological reaction to neutralize all the damaging acidic protein before it reaches the kidneys.

The body is designed for survival, so it sacrifices bone density to protect the kidneys and urinary tract because the latter are essential to survival. And the most readily available source of acid neutralizer is in the bones. So even though milk contains calcium, it ends up sapping your bones of that crucial mineral. But that’s not all because…

Today’s milk is a processed food

Until the end of the 19th century in Europe and the beginning of the 20th century in the US, milk was consumed unpasteurized or raw. Later on, homogenization became the industry’s standard. These processes further alter milk’s chemistry and actually increase its detrimental acidifying effects.

Raw milk advocates claim that if cow’s milk is left “as is” it is a healthy and wholesome drink. It is true that raw milk is less acidifying than processed milk and that pasteurization and homogenization may cause a long list of digestive and other health problems, but I still don’t recommend drinking any kind of cow’s milk.

Nowadays, milking cows are given antibiotics and most are also injected with a genetically engineered form of bovine growth hormone (rBGH). A man-made or synthetic hormone used to artificially increase milk production, rBGH also increases blood levels of the insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in those who drink it. 

And higher levels of IGF-1 are linked to several cancers.

This should not be ignored, especially in view of recent information by Samuel Epstein, MD, Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition. In an article titled “Monsanto’s Hormonal Milk Poses Serious Risks of Breast Cancer, Besides Other Cancers” (http://www.preventcancer.com/press/releases/july8_98.htm, June 21, 1998) Dr. Epstein concludes that:

“Drinking rBGH milk would thus be expected to significantly increase IGF-1 blood levels and consequently to increase risks of developing breast cancer and promoting its invasiveness.”

Even though organic milk is from cows that are not given antibiotics or rBHG, if you truly care about your bone health and your overall health, you should…

Avoid drinking cow’s milk

As I explain in the Save Our Bones Program and contrary to mainstream recommendations, drinking milk and eating lots of dairy products are not the answer to reversing osteoporosis. And while in the Save Our Bones Program no food is completely off limits, I strongly recommend that you explore the different milk substitute options that I will list for you here.

But first, I’d like to clarify that unsweetened fermented or cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and sour cream are acid neutral. Yogurt in particular is chock-full of beneficial qualities. As is the case with milk, organic yogurt does not have rBGH, but even several of the most well-known yogurt brands have stopped using the bovine growth hormone (rBGH). You should call your favorite yogurt company to confirm. One more clarification: when I say unsweetened I mean without sugar or any artificial sweetener. However, you can add honey or stevia, a zero calorie plant-derived sweetener that is delicious and alkalizing as well. I like to carry around stevia packets in my purse so that I’m always able to sweeten food or drinks when I’m on the go.


Source: http://saveourbones.com/osteoporosis-milk-myth/

Jinny

92963562

Is cow's milk really good for us?

Is cow's milk really good for us? Do you think cow's milk is for human consumption?

Have you ever ponder about this question before?

Since young, we have been told about the goodness of dairy product, i.e. excellent sources of protein and calcium.

So I always thought that milk is the only good source for protein and calcium, that's why I consumed pregnancy milk powder during my first pregnancy.

However, when I realised that my elder daughter has cow's milk protein allergic I started doing some research on this topic.

Now, let's us start from: Is milk really a good source for calcium?

Do you know that USA has a much high percentage of people getting osteoporosis as compared to Japan? Just simply look at the diet of normal North Americans, their diet is rich in dairy products such as milk, cheese, etc. But why are the North Americans still have a high percentage of osteoporosis patients despite their dairy rich diet?

Why most of the world does not eat dairy products and do not have bone problems and calcium deficiency?

There must be something terribly wrong with the message that milk (and milk products) will give us healthy bones.

Debunking The Milk Myth: Why Milk Is Bad For You And Your Bones

Milk depletes the calcium from your bones

The milk myth has spread around the world based on the flawed belief that this protein and calcium-rich drink is essential to support good overall health and bone health in particular at any age. It is easy to understand that the confusion about milk’s imaginary benefits stems from the fact that it contains calcium – around 300 mg per cup.

But many scientific studies have shown an assortment of detrimental health effects directly linked to milk consumption. And the most surprising link is that not only do we barely absorb the calcium in cow’s milk (especially if pasteurized), but to make matters worse, it actually increases calcium loss from the bones.

What an irony this is!

Here’s how it happens. Like all animal protein, milk acidifies the body pH which in turn triggers a biological correction. You see, calcium is an excellent acid neutralizer and the biggest storage of calcium in the body is – you guessed it… in the bones. So the very same calcium that our bones need to stay strong is utilized to neutralize the acidifying effect of milk. Once calcium is pulled out of the bones, it leaves the body via the urine, so that the surprising net result after this is an actual calcium deficit.

Knowing this, you’ll understand why statistics show that countries with the lowest consumption of dairy products also have the lowest fracture incidence in their population (there’s more on this later).
But the sad truth is that most mainstream health practitioners ignore these proven facts. I know it firsthand because when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, my doctor recommended that I drink lots of milk in addition to taking Fosamax.

Fortunately, I did neither, because I knew that…

Source: http://saveourbones.com/osteoporosis-milk-myth/


Jinny

Amazing Baby

As I have two gals with age difference of 23months, I really can see the difference and the importance of laying a solid foundation for our baby while they are in our womb itself.

Here I would like to share meimei – JX's milestone as a 20months old toddler

1. Potty training

Potty training is one of the milestones parents look forward to the most—no more diapers and no more diaper rashes – yippie!!!

Serious speaking, we didn’t really spent much time in potty trained Jiaxuan, she mastered this skill by herself as early as when she was 19months old. What amazed us most is she is diaper free during bedtime too.

2. Jumping & running

She is able to jump off the floor with both legs.

      3. Superb motor skills

Other than feeding herself, able to handle a water mug easily, she knows how to pull down and pull up her pants by herself .

4.  Puzzle

http://nutritionalimmunologylifestyle.blogspot.sg/2014/06/my-19-months-old-daughter-completing.html

I didn’t take any supplements prescribed by my gynae which includes multi-vits, calcium and iron pills. Instead, I consumed a series of wholsesome plant food product which are researched and formulated based on the science of nutritional immunology.  NI is the science that studies the relationship between our immune system and the food we eat.

The major diet difference between my 2 pregnancies is the source of Omega 3.

During my second pregnancy, instead of fish oil recommended by gynae, I took Oseed which is made of chia seed and kiwi seed. Its plant based omega 3 which is definitely safer and healthier.

What's more, JX likes to chew Oseed, she can eats up to 6 caps of Oseed per day :)

Want to know how Oseed can helps your baby? Do contact me :)

 

Are you taking fish oil and cow's milk powder during pregnancy? Beware as it can affect health of you baby!

My background is chemical engineering, so I know what is behind the colourful pills and tablets.

In short, I never take any supplement as I know they are made from chemicals and not natural which may even cause side effects to human health in long run.
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-vitamin-supplements

Furthermore, nowadays malnutrition is actually very rare and taking multi-vitamins or minerals supplements may cause over dose which could result in side effects.

As such, I didn't take any supplements prescribed by my gynae which includes multi-vits, calcium and iron pills for my both pregnancies. 

However during first pregnancy, I actually took fish oil supplements and pregnancy milk powder as those were the traditional source for DHA and proteins required for the baby in my womb. 

While for second pregnancy, with better understanding on nutritional immunology, I realized that we can actually obtain Omega 3 from plant source, which is safer as it has no risk of contamination as compared to fish oil.

So instead of fish oil, I took Oseed which is made of chia seed and kiwi seed. Its plant based omega 3 so its definitely safer and healthier.

Same for protein source, I chose Nutrifresh - which contains soy protein, a plant based protein. Hence, it does not contain any animal hormones or fats, making it the healthier choice.

So what is the difference with these two 'looks no big deal' changes? 

My experience is Jiaying is allergic to cow's milk protein and leads to eczema and prone to sinus problem, while Jiaxuan does not has such allergies problem.
https://nutritionalimmunologylifestyle.blogspot.sg/2014/07/are-you-dha-fans.html

A healthy baby makes a happy mummy, do make your choice wisely.

Read more at:
https://nutritionalimmunologylifestyle.blogspot.sg/2014/07/fish-oil-friend-or-foe.html
https://nutritionalimmunologylifestyle.blogspot.sg/2014/07/is-your-omega-3-come-from-safe-sources.html

Jinny

92963562

HFMD

There was once both JY & JX were playing with their 2 years old cousin, the next day my SIL called me to ask me to monitor my gals because her son was down with HFMD, but both gals were fine.

Two weeks later, I brought them back to Malaysia to visit my mother. They played with my younger sister's 3 years old son. Guess what? The same episode repeated - my sister called me the next day that her son kena HFMD. And like earlier, both gals were fine too.

Before having kids, Hand Foot Mouth Disease HFMD just sound like a stranger to me. But I guess same with many parents out there, we are 'forced' to hear and learn a lot about HFMD especially after sending our kids to playgroup or childcare centre.

As HFMD is caused by virus, which is the same as cold and flu - no medicine other than your own immune system can cure.

As parents, we know the concerns of what to give our children, so I choose wholesome plant food to fight diseases and strengthen their immunity. 

So whenever I received notice from JY’s preschool that there are cases of HFMD in her school, I would usually increase her product intake to strengthen her immune system.

I will give mushroom powder which is high in polysaccharides that can effectively enhance immune function, help the body to ward off diseases. For example, the polysaccharides in ABM mushrooms are powerful anti-viral agents, preventing viruses and harmful substances from entering body tissues. 

Other than that, i will give her cactus juice - Cactus is a natural plant food that is rich in phytochemicals. Research has revealed many amazing benefits of cactus. It not only strengthen the immune system but also speed up wound healing.

So basically you can choose:

1. NI food

2. Basic food - what we eat daily (maybe you can add up fruits and vege)

3. Vitamins and mineral supplements

4. Medication, including TCM.

Which one is best for the immune system?

Quoting from CNA news on why HFMD usually on the rise in May and June:

"There is usually an increase in the number of HFMD cases in May and Jun. 

And according to doctor, it's because during the month of May and June, the climate is usually warmer, and when the weather is hot, the immune system tends to be a bit weaker.

And so it is possible that during this time, the virus for hand, foot and mouth disease can be transmitted more easily."

Do contact me if you like to know more on how to prevent HFMD more effectively :)

Jinny

92963562