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We will assume that doesn’t apply to most of you. Yet most of us grew up being urged to eat dairy products. We were told that milk builds strong teeth and bones in children, and helps adults preserve bone density. Turns out, maybe not so much.
While cow’s milk is an acceptable alternative or adjunct to mother’s milk for most infants and children, our adult bodies are not designed to digest and metabolize milk.
According to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health, “Many people have some degree of lactose intolerance. For them, eating or drinking dairy products causes problems like cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea… Certain groups are much more likely to have lactose intolerance. For example, 90 percent of Asians, 70 percent of blacks and Native Americans, and 50 percent of Hispanics are lactose intolerant, compared to only about 15 percent of people of Northern European descent.”
Dairy products, including cheese, ice cream, milk and cream, are some of the worst offenders for causing chronic inflammation. Besides digestive problems, dairy spurs mucous production leading to stuffy sinuses. It is also implicated in breakouts of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
The good news is, there are many non-dairy sources of calcium available. These include dark, leafy greens like kale and collards, as well as dried beans and legumes. Supplement calcium with vitamin D for optimal absorption.
If you want some help replacing dairy in your diet or easing the symptoms of chronic inflammation, give us a call at (631) 377-3630.