imported_admin
07-25-2001, 10:46 PM
Milk - To Drink or Not to Drink?
June 14, 1999
Milk to drink or not to drink? This question has been debated with a passion for the past decade. I am not going to tell you not to drink milk; instead I want to share some secrets held from the general public so you can make an educated decision.
First of all, milk is not the best source of calcium for our bodies. Lactase/lactose blocks a good portion of the calcium and our individual bio-mechanic functions limit absorption even more. Broccoli is a much better, bio-available source of calcium. In fact, I suggest that you read up on botanical sources of calcium so that you can incorporate them into your diet.
Secondly, not everyone can digest dairy products. O blood types do ok, B blood types do the best, and A plus AB bloods do not do well at all. In addition to blood type, certain ethnic backgrounds do better than others with the consumption of milk/dairy in relation to weight gain. English and Scandinavian do well, but German doesn’t. Even if the milk is fat free, the German biomechanics convert it to fat and stash the new fat cells under the chin, jaw line, upper arm, and inner thigh.
Last of all, (and primary reason for this weeks tip) commercial grade milk is not as “pure” and “healthy” as the mega dairy industry leads us to believe. Milk from the grocery store is NOT the same as on the farm. I grew up in a large dairy community and taste alone tells you that there is a difference. And those who travel will discover that the milk in Europe is different than in America. What’ s the major difference? Hormones!
Here’s what commercial grade milk, since late 1993, contains:
Pituitary hormones (PRL,GH,TSH,FSH,LH ACT H oxytocin)
Steroid hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, Progesterone, Testosterone, 17- Ketosteroids, Corticosterone, Vitamin)
Hypothalamic hormones (TRH, LHRH, Somatostatin, PRL-releasing factor, GnRH, GRH
Thyroid and Parathyroid hormones (T3, T4, rT3, Calcitonin, Parathormone, PTH peptide
Gastrointestinal peptides (Vaso-active intestinal peptide, Bombesin, Cholecystokinin, Gastrin, Gastrin inhibitory peptide, Pancreatic peptide, Y peptide, Substance P and Neurotensin)
Growth Factors (IGF’s... I and II), IGF binding proteins, Nerve growth factor, Epidermal growth factor and TGF alpha TGF beta, Growth Inhibitors MDGI and MAF, and Platelet derived growth factor
Others… PGE, PGF2, alpha, cAMP, cGMP
Peptide Transferrin, Lactoerrin, Casomorphin and Erythropoietin
Kind of makes you think twice whether or not milk “does a body good” as the milk mustache campaign states!
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in late 1993, gave permission to Monsanto Corporation to market rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), which is a genetically engineered hormone for injection into dairy cows to increase production of milk. This is a substance finally being linked to major breast, colon and prostate problems, and no other country in the world will allow within its borders. (Monsanto has sought approval in Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and Canada.)
The FDA based their “safe” opinion of rBGH partially off an unpublished Monsanto study of rats fed rBGH in high doses for 90 days. They concluded that, “No oral activity was found when rBGH was administered to rats at exaggerated doses”, yet a recent Canadian government report indicates that the findings of Monsanto’s study were misreported by the FDA. The Canadian report says that 20% to 30% of the rats fed rBGH in high doses developed primary antibody responses indicating that this hormone was absorbed into the rats’ blood. Furthermore, cysts reportedly developed on the thyroids of the male rats and some increased infiltration of the prostate gland occurred. If these kinds of reactions are turning up after only 90 days of use on rodents, what do you think is happening to people who have been drinking rBGH produced milk for the last 6 years? No wonder why a large number of us are having thyroid problems and terrible perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
What’s really scary is that tens of thousands of US dairy cows are injected with rBGH each week, and virtually the entire American population is exposed to milk from rBGH treated cows when they buy milk, cream, cheese, yogurt, frozen yogurt, ice cream, iced milk and baked goods.
And just why has rBGH become so important to the American dairy industry anyway? $ $ $! There’s certainly no health-related need for it. The farms don’t need it, the cows don’t need it, and human beings are dying from it. It’s grade name is POSILAC, and in cows, it has been associated with increases in cystic ovaries, disorders of the uterus, digestive problems, enlarged hocks, and lesions of the knee, not to mention mastitis (pus clusters found in the tits of the cows). This, of course, increases the cow’s need for additional antibiotics. Which just compounds the problem that antibiotics are becoming ineffective for a lot of our diseases (due to over consumption).
The last think you want to do is put antibiotics into your body unnecessarily. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now tells us that antibiotic resistance in this country is at an all time high and is now a “major public health crisis.” When is man going to learn that when he tries to mess with Mother Nature for economic gain, the end result always has and always will be suffering and disease? And what is our great need to produce more milk in the first place when we already have a dairy surplus of over a quarter million tons of milk each year and the government uses a billion of our annual tax dollars to sop it up? Are we talking gross waste here, or what?
For those of you that don’t know, POSILAC increases milk production by releasing a chemical called IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor #1), which McGill University and the Harvard School of Public Health have recently found is a strong predictor of prostate cancer risk. Published in Science and funded, in part, by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative, these findings have shown a four-fold increased risk of developing prostate cancer among men who have high levels of IGF-1.
Although there have been no long-term studies of rBGH's effects on humans, elevated IGF-1 is now being linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, acromegaly, hypertension, diabetes, and gynecomastia (growth of breasts in men). Even the congressional General Accounting Office has been warning us about drinking too much milk lately. The latest studies and statistics from the National Cancer Program’s SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) says that cancer is on the rise and estimates that there were over 131,000 deaths caused by breast, colon and prostate cancer in 1998 alone.
The bottom line is that the American public needs to wake up and realize that things aren’t always what they seem, and just because a government agency or a mega corporation tells you something, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s so. A good example of this is the case of where the FDA stated that pasteurizing milk would effectively kill the Mycobacterium paratuberculosis that’s found in cow’s milk. Well, it’s not true, and the British medical journal, CANCET, recently revealed a direct link between this bacteria and Crohn’s disease in humans. Cows get a disease called Johne’s (pronounced: yo-nees) and pass on these bacteria to humans in milk and dairy products. We’re talking about another nightmare here, and a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease usually results after many years of irritable bowel syndrome, a condition shared by more than 6 million Americans, most of them women. According to a USDA study, conducted by scientist Judy Stabel, Ph.D., “The bacteria were not totally inactivated until after 15 minutes of incubation (pasteurization) at 72 degrees centigrade.” This isn’t very reassuring when you consider that normal pasteurization at this temperature calls for a 15-second treatment, not 15 minutes!
I have always been cautious about dairy, knowing that whatever the cow consumes or is exposed to disease-wise can be passed on through its milk much the same as a mother to her child. We’re very concerned as mothers not to smoke, drink or take drugs while pregnant or breast feeding… now we need to expand that thought process in considering the whole picture (on all foods). But what really opened my eyes was in 1997 when a local husband/wife investigative team for the FOX TV affiliate WTVT in Tampa, Florida was fired for refusing to back off their series on the harmful effects of rBGH used in the production of American milk and dairy products. Steve Wilson and Jane Acre (husband/wife team) are now in the middle of a million-dollar lawsuit against New World Communications and FOX TV.
In investigating the use of rBGH in cows in south Florida, Wilson and Acre found that Florida grocers had made promises to consumers that they wouldn’t buy milk from rBGH treated cows. But when the couple traveled to the farms where local milk was being produced, they managed to film cows being injected with rBGH and discovered that the grocers had reneged on their promise. They also reported how levels of IGF-1 were increased in rBGH-produced milk, and how increased IGF-1 levels were now being linked to increased breast cancer rates. Their initial 4 part series was to have aired on February 24, 1997. WTVT had even begun to advertise the upcoming series, but after heavy pressure from Monsanto’s lawyers, including threats of “dire consequences” if the story ran, WTVT canceled the series. When the reporters protested, the general manager told them, “We paid 3 billion dollars for these television stations and we’ll tell you what the news is.” According to Wilson and Acre, they were eventually offered a payment of $200,000 for their silence on this issue, but when they refused, they were fired from WTVT on December 2, 1997.
Wilson and Acre were also told to say that the AMA endorsed rBGH. The AMA (American Medical Assoc.) does not officially endorse products, reported Wilson, although it did accept money from Monsanto to produce a pro-rBGH video, which does seem to qualify as an endorsement by any reasonable standard. Well, if you are interested in receiving a video copy of their censored rBGH story, you can get in touch with the GREEN ACRE NEWS @ 4222 Harmony Lane SE, Iowa City, IA 52240-9385. Steve Wilson says that since the video is now Exhibit A at their pending trial, it’s public information and can be freely distributed. Send them a blank videotape they will be glad to make a copy for you. Then watch for yourself and form your own opinion.
I don’t drink milk as a beverage, but I do use it in my cereal AND I only consume organic milk. The brands I get are from Publix (largest grocery chain in Florida) ORGANIC VALLEY and STONYFIELD FARM. They produce a full line of organic milks (fat free, 2% and whole), organic yogurts, frozen yogurts, ice cream, cheese and butter. I don’t think they are too expensive - ½ gallon of low fat organic milk cost $3.99. Besides, my health is well worth it and peace of mind knowing what I know about rBGH hormone. You can check out their web site: www.organicvalley.com (http://www.organicvalley.com).
Hope this week’s tip has enlightened you to what’s happening within our dairy association. And when thirsty… drink water!
Until next week…
Teresa Tapp
References on this weeks tip:
Milk: The Deadly Poison by Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk.com
The Anti Dairy Coalition by Robert Cohen
http://www.antidairycoalition.com
Earth Save; The Politics of Meat and Dairy
http://www.earthsave.org
Green Acre News 4222 Harmony Lane SE,
Iowa City, IA 52240-9385
http://www.doorway.com/gan
Seer: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program
National Cancer Institute
Vegetarian Times 1995 Feb; 210; 18-19
SCIENCE Magazine 1998; 279; 475, 563-566
The Lancet A British Medical Journal
Doctor’s Guide http://www.pslgroup.com
Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Dr. Mitch Cohen
General Accounting Office (GAO)
US Federal Office of Management and Budget
Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee of the FDA
McGill University; R. Michael Pollack
Harvard School of Public Health
June 14, 1999
Milk to drink or not to drink? This question has been debated with a passion for the past decade. I am not going to tell you not to drink milk; instead I want to share some secrets held from the general public so you can make an educated decision.
First of all, milk is not the best source of calcium for our bodies. Lactase/lactose blocks a good portion of the calcium and our individual bio-mechanic functions limit absorption even more. Broccoli is a much better, bio-available source of calcium. In fact, I suggest that you read up on botanical sources of calcium so that you can incorporate them into your diet.
Secondly, not everyone can digest dairy products. O blood types do ok, B blood types do the best, and A plus AB bloods do not do well at all. In addition to blood type, certain ethnic backgrounds do better than others with the consumption of milk/dairy in relation to weight gain. English and Scandinavian do well, but German doesn’t. Even if the milk is fat free, the German biomechanics convert it to fat and stash the new fat cells under the chin, jaw line, upper arm, and inner thigh.
Last of all, (and primary reason for this weeks tip) commercial grade milk is not as “pure” and “healthy” as the mega dairy industry leads us to believe. Milk from the grocery store is NOT the same as on the farm. I grew up in a large dairy community and taste alone tells you that there is a difference. And those who travel will discover that the milk in Europe is different than in America. What’ s the major difference? Hormones!
Here’s what commercial grade milk, since late 1993, contains:
Pituitary hormones (PRL,GH,TSH,FSH,LH ACT H oxytocin)
Steroid hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, Progesterone, Testosterone, 17- Ketosteroids, Corticosterone, Vitamin)
Hypothalamic hormones (TRH, LHRH, Somatostatin, PRL-releasing factor, GnRH, GRH
Thyroid and Parathyroid hormones (T3, T4, rT3, Calcitonin, Parathormone, PTH peptide
Gastrointestinal peptides (Vaso-active intestinal peptide, Bombesin, Cholecystokinin, Gastrin, Gastrin inhibitory peptide, Pancreatic peptide, Y peptide, Substance P and Neurotensin)
Growth Factors (IGF’s... I and II), IGF binding proteins, Nerve growth factor, Epidermal growth factor and TGF alpha TGF beta, Growth Inhibitors MDGI and MAF, and Platelet derived growth factor
Others… PGE, PGF2, alpha, cAMP, cGMP
Peptide Transferrin, Lactoerrin, Casomorphin and Erythropoietin
Kind of makes you think twice whether or not milk “does a body good” as the milk mustache campaign states!
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in late 1993, gave permission to Monsanto Corporation to market rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), which is a genetically engineered hormone for injection into dairy cows to increase production of milk. This is a substance finally being linked to major breast, colon and prostate problems, and no other country in the world will allow within its borders. (Monsanto has sought approval in Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and Canada.)
The FDA based their “safe” opinion of rBGH partially off an unpublished Monsanto study of rats fed rBGH in high doses for 90 days. They concluded that, “No oral activity was found when rBGH was administered to rats at exaggerated doses”, yet a recent Canadian government report indicates that the findings of Monsanto’s study were misreported by the FDA. The Canadian report says that 20% to 30% of the rats fed rBGH in high doses developed primary antibody responses indicating that this hormone was absorbed into the rats’ blood. Furthermore, cysts reportedly developed on the thyroids of the male rats and some increased infiltration of the prostate gland occurred. If these kinds of reactions are turning up after only 90 days of use on rodents, what do you think is happening to people who have been drinking rBGH produced milk for the last 6 years? No wonder why a large number of us are having thyroid problems and terrible perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
What’s really scary is that tens of thousands of US dairy cows are injected with rBGH each week, and virtually the entire American population is exposed to milk from rBGH treated cows when they buy milk, cream, cheese, yogurt, frozen yogurt, ice cream, iced milk and baked goods.
And just why has rBGH become so important to the American dairy industry anyway? $ $ $! There’s certainly no health-related need for it. The farms don’t need it, the cows don’t need it, and human beings are dying from it. It’s grade name is POSILAC, and in cows, it has been associated with increases in cystic ovaries, disorders of the uterus, digestive problems, enlarged hocks, and lesions of the knee, not to mention mastitis (pus clusters found in the tits of the cows). This, of course, increases the cow’s need for additional antibiotics. Which just compounds the problem that antibiotics are becoming ineffective for a lot of our diseases (due to over consumption).
The last think you want to do is put antibiotics into your body unnecessarily. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now tells us that antibiotic resistance in this country is at an all time high and is now a “major public health crisis.” When is man going to learn that when he tries to mess with Mother Nature for economic gain, the end result always has and always will be suffering and disease? And what is our great need to produce more milk in the first place when we already have a dairy surplus of over a quarter million tons of milk each year and the government uses a billion of our annual tax dollars to sop it up? Are we talking gross waste here, or what?
For those of you that don’t know, POSILAC increases milk production by releasing a chemical called IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor #1), which McGill University and the Harvard School of Public Health have recently found is a strong predictor of prostate cancer risk. Published in Science and funded, in part, by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative, these findings have shown a four-fold increased risk of developing prostate cancer among men who have high levels of IGF-1.
Although there have been no long-term studies of rBGH's effects on humans, elevated IGF-1 is now being linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, acromegaly, hypertension, diabetes, and gynecomastia (growth of breasts in men). Even the congressional General Accounting Office has been warning us about drinking too much milk lately. The latest studies and statistics from the National Cancer Program’s SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) says that cancer is on the rise and estimates that there were over 131,000 deaths caused by breast, colon and prostate cancer in 1998 alone.
The bottom line is that the American public needs to wake up and realize that things aren’t always what they seem, and just because a government agency or a mega corporation tells you something, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s so. A good example of this is the case of where the FDA stated that pasteurizing milk would effectively kill the Mycobacterium paratuberculosis that’s found in cow’s milk. Well, it’s not true, and the British medical journal, CANCET, recently revealed a direct link between this bacteria and Crohn’s disease in humans. Cows get a disease called Johne’s (pronounced: yo-nees) and pass on these bacteria to humans in milk and dairy products. We’re talking about another nightmare here, and a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease usually results after many years of irritable bowel syndrome, a condition shared by more than 6 million Americans, most of them women. According to a USDA study, conducted by scientist Judy Stabel, Ph.D., “The bacteria were not totally inactivated until after 15 minutes of incubation (pasteurization) at 72 degrees centigrade.” This isn’t very reassuring when you consider that normal pasteurization at this temperature calls for a 15-second treatment, not 15 minutes!
I have always been cautious about dairy, knowing that whatever the cow consumes or is exposed to disease-wise can be passed on through its milk much the same as a mother to her child. We’re very concerned as mothers not to smoke, drink or take drugs while pregnant or breast feeding… now we need to expand that thought process in considering the whole picture (on all foods). But what really opened my eyes was in 1997 when a local husband/wife investigative team for the FOX TV affiliate WTVT in Tampa, Florida was fired for refusing to back off their series on the harmful effects of rBGH used in the production of American milk and dairy products. Steve Wilson and Jane Acre (husband/wife team) are now in the middle of a million-dollar lawsuit against New World Communications and FOX TV.
In investigating the use of rBGH in cows in south Florida, Wilson and Acre found that Florida grocers had made promises to consumers that they wouldn’t buy milk from rBGH treated cows. But when the couple traveled to the farms where local milk was being produced, they managed to film cows being injected with rBGH and discovered that the grocers had reneged on their promise. They also reported how levels of IGF-1 were increased in rBGH-produced milk, and how increased IGF-1 levels were now being linked to increased breast cancer rates. Their initial 4 part series was to have aired on February 24, 1997. WTVT had even begun to advertise the upcoming series, but after heavy pressure from Monsanto’s lawyers, including threats of “dire consequences” if the story ran, WTVT canceled the series. When the reporters protested, the general manager told them, “We paid 3 billion dollars for these television stations and we’ll tell you what the news is.” According to Wilson and Acre, they were eventually offered a payment of $200,000 for their silence on this issue, but when they refused, they were fired from WTVT on December 2, 1997.
Wilson and Acre were also told to say that the AMA endorsed rBGH. The AMA (American Medical Assoc.) does not officially endorse products, reported Wilson, although it did accept money from Monsanto to produce a pro-rBGH video, which does seem to qualify as an endorsement by any reasonable standard. Well, if you are interested in receiving a video copy of their censored rBGH story, you can get in touch with the GREEN ACRE NEWS @ 4222 Harmony Lane SE, Iowa City, IA 52240-9385. Steve Wilson says that since the video is now Exhibit A at their pending trial, it’s public information and can be freely distributed. Send them a blank videotape they will be glad to make a copy for you. Then watch for yourself and form your own opinion.
I don’t drink milk as a beverage, but I do use it in my cereal AND I only consume organic milk. The brands I get are from Publix (largest grocery chain in Florida) ORGANIC VALLEY and STONYFIELD FARM. They produce a full line of organic milks (fat free, 2% and whole), organic yogurts, frozen yogurts, ice cream, cheese and butter. I don’t think they are too expensive - ½ gallon of low fat organic milk cost $3.99. Besides, my health is well worth it and peace of mind knowing what I know about rBGH hormone. You can check out their web site: www.organicvalley.com (http://www.organicvalley.com).
Hope this week’s tip has enlightened you to what’s happening within our dairy association. And when thirsty… drink water!
Until next week…
Teresa Tapp
References on this weeks tip:
Milk: The Deadly Poison by Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk.com
The Anti Dairy Coalition by Robert Cohen
http://www.antidairycoalition.com
Earth Save; The Politics of Meat and Dairy
http://www.earthsave.org
Green Acre News 4222 Harmony Lane SE,
Iowa City, IA 52240-9385
http://www.doorway.com/gan
Seer: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program
National Cancer Institute
Vegetarian Times 1995 Feb; 210; 18-19
SCIENCE Magazine 1998; 279; 475, 563-566
The Lancet A British Medical Journal
Doctor’s Guide http://www.pslgroup.com
Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Dr. Mitch Cohen
General Accounting Office (GAO)
US Federal Office of Management and Budget
Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee of the FDA
McGill University; R. Michael Pollack
Harvard School of Public Health