A Tale of Two Theories

The public is constantly fed (no pun intended) different ideas about what's healthy for you and what's not. That would be great if it was really that simple but unfortunately, as with everything, there seems to be two sides to every story. For example, see the differences below between the following websites:

gotmilk.com:

Health Benefits - For Help with Strong Bones

- Drinking three glasses of milk a day may significantly reduce your risk of bone disease and fractures. Consuming milk later in life may slow the rate of bone loss and help maintain bone density.

- Do you think drinking calcium-fortified beverages, like soy drinks and orange juice, will meet your bones' requirements? Not really, says research that concluded 75% of calcium added to popular beverages gets left at the bottom of the carton. Milk remains the best way to get your daily bone-building dose of calcium.

notmilk.com:

Bone Disease

- "Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, were associated with an increased risk of hip fractures... metabolism of dietary protein causes increased urinary excretion of calcium." American Journal of Epidemiology 1994;139

- A 1994 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Remer T, Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:1356-61) found that animal proteins cause calcium to be leached from the bones and excreted in the urine.

Two different websites; two completely different stories. How on earth are people supposed to know which is right?

Personally, I believe a diet consisting mainly of plants with minimal animal protein is the way to go. However, if my body absorbed plant protein properly, then perhaps my answer would eliminate animal protein entirely. But that's the key, isn't it? Everybody's different - every body's different. What's important is doing what feels best with your body. With that being said though, here's a penny for your thoughts.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -Jiddu Krishnamurti."

Sure, some people can eat a McDonald's breakfast sandwich every morning for breakfast and not have immediate stomach issues though the long-term effects have yet to be seen. But chances are, if you think it's unhealthy, it probably is. Someone once told me that they eat a breakfast sandwich every morning because if they don't, they get hungry earlier in the day whereas the days they eat a McGriddle, they can go past lunchtime before getting hungry. If you're eating something that leaves grease residue on the plate/napkin, I don't care what you're eating, it's not good for you... even if it is fried green beans (though they are Delicious - I can in no way argue that they are healthy).

Two Theories:

1. I don't believe milk or large amounts of animal protein are either good or necessary for healthy living.

2. Others think that since the majority of doctors promote milk and white meat (I doubt many promote red), they can't all be wrong. Not to mention, most doctors/degrees specializing in Vegetarian/Vegan diets are not accredited or backed by the government. ...My question is, if the majority of doctors in America promote this 'correct' diet, then why are the majority of Americans so unhealthy and overweight?

Kay's take: Dairy has never been a good friend to me so I've always been wary of milk. And I've thought about how weird it is that we're the only mammals who drink the milk of another mammal. That stuff is meant for baby cows! Human mothers produce milk for babies and then the production later stops. It seems like there's probably some sort of ecological reason for that. (Further research tells me when we leave the baby stage, humans produce less lactase in their small intestines. Lactase is an enzyme that helps break down the lactose in milk.)


There are alternatives though, like soy and rice. I recommend almond milk although I mainly use mine for cooking and in smoothies. It's vegan and gluten-free, lacks casein and lactose, and has a fair amount of magnesium and potassium.