Milk Can Contribute to Osteoporosis

Dear Editor,

August 16, 1997

A few days ago, an AP Science Writer report (Herald, 8/18, p.1) claimed: "Milk does everybody good." The article centered around the supposition that milk is a valuable source of dietary calcium, and therefore that it can help prevent such diseases as osteoporosis. It lamented that the health-consciousness of America has moved many away from the heavy milk consumption known in days past when fat content was something with which we didn't concern ourselves.

True, milk has lots of calcium. Also true: milk has an abundance of protein -- more than what the body likes for its proper metabolic balance. Excess protein in the diet creates an acid-forming load which the body counteracts by eliminating Calcium as part of the pH equilibration mechanism. Therefore, the body is more likely to experience a net loss of Calcium with milk intake due to the bodies compensation for the protein overabundance.

Cows milk, by design of nature, is ideal for turning a 200 pound calf into a half-ton cow or bull.

The diet has ample sources of calcium. Retention is the issue, and excess protein consumption towers above other factors in causing calcium loss. If the body is dumping calcium in order to restore the pH balance thrown acidic because of excess protein intake, drinking milk is not going to help.

Ironically, these points were initially shown through studies done by the Dairy association -- who were trying to prove the opposite. These startling findings, unpublicized by the Dairy Association for obvious reasons, have been subsequently confirmed by other researchers.

For some examples of documentation and further information, see pages 196-200 of Diet for a New America, (Stillpoint Publishing, Walpole NH; 1987) by John Robbins. His motives are highlighted by the fact that he declined his heirship to the Baskin & Robbins empire.

One final point to consider, in addition to physical health, is spiritual: compassion. The old-fashioned, romantic picture of ol' Bess grazing peacefully in the field is marred by modern society's mass-production techniques which turn Bess into an exploited cog in a high-paced machine. Her udders are pushed to produce far beyond her natural capacity through hormones and steroids. When she births her calves, the males are taken from her hours after birth, and many of them are placed in purposely confined pens to restrict their movement, eating anemic diets, thus producing what we call veal.

So what can we do? Fortunately, there are some wonderful substitutes for milk now widely available, rice milk, almond milk, soy milk, including delicious deserts. There are also healthy non-dairy infant formulas available in health food stores. My favorite for pouring over the standard breakfast cereal is rice dream, available now even in many grocery stores. I think it tastes much better. But more importantly, this choice feels much better, physically and spiritually.

Sincerely,

Sterling D. Allan; Fountain Green, Utah

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