Recently, a good friend of mine developed some very strange and troubling skin problems and contacted me for some input that might help him with his upcoming doctors appointment.
We took a look at his stress level, his environment, his lifestyle and finally his diet and came up with what we thought might be the culprit.
He then went to his doctor who quickly and politely dismissed the information we came up with. He was certain it was stress related and of course, tried to put him on a steroid and an anti-anxiety medication.
The problem with that was that other than the skin problem and some fatigue, his life had never been better…
Got excessive stress? Not him!
He passed on the anti-anxiety med but did take the steroid. After three weeks he felt worse and stopped taking it and asked for my help.
The first thing I told him was to tell his doctor that he quit taking it and see what he had to say.
We then went back to where we left off…
What we found was that his condition coincided with a massive increase in dairy consumption.
He had never in his life enjoyed eating cheese but was trying to cut down on meat so he tried it again, loved it and became addicted.
He was eating over a pound a day!
I suggested that he pass on the dairy for two weeks and then reintroduce it to see if that was causing the inflammation…
It has been about a week and lo and behold, his skin is clearing up. He is also reporting having more energy and a “clearer head.”
At this point he is convinced and does not want to reintroduce it but only time will tell…
I’d still like him to eat it at least one more time to see how his body reacts, but he’s the boss when it comes to his body!
I am not a doctor but after years of helping others with mysterious physical, mental and emotional symptoms, I have come to the conclusion that dairy and gluten are two of the main culprits in people who have skin, sinus, allergy and fatigue problems as well as with depression, anxiety and ADD-like characteristics.
Of course that is not always the case but it is very, very common.
Remove the potential offenders for long enough and then reintroduce them one at a time and you will know without a doubt.
Unfortunately, many people go back to feeling like crap and/or taking medications rather than getting the problem at its root. They are just so habituated and often get secondary gains that they are not willing to give up.
But don’t take my word for it…
Walter Willett, M.D., Ph.D — the second-most-cited scientist in all of clinical medicine and the head of nutrition at Harvard’s School of Public Health, who has done many studies and reviewed the research on dairy consumption has a few things to say about Milk and dairy:
1) Milk doesn’t reduce fractures.
Contrary to popular belief, eating dairy products has never been shown to reduce fracture risk — but dairy may increase risk of fractures by 50 percent (according to the large Nurses’ Health Study)!
2) Less dairy, better bones.
Countries with lowest rates of dairy and calcium consumption (like those in Africa and Asia) have the lowest rates of osteoporosis.
3) Calcium isn’t as bone-protective as we thought.
Studies of calcium supplementation have showed no benefit in reducing fracture risk. Vitamin D appears to be much more important than calcium in preventing fractures.
4) Calcium may raise cancer risk.
Research shows that higher intakes of both calcium and dairy products may increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer by 30 to 50 percent. Plus, dairy consumption increases the body’s level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) — a known cancer promoter.
5) Calcium has benefits that dairy doesn’t.
Calcium supplements, but not dairy products, may reduce the risk of colon cancer.
6) Not everyone can stomach dairy.
About 75 percent of the world’s population is genetically unable to properly digest milk and other dairy products — a problem called lactose intolerance.
Based on such findings, Dr. Willet has come to some important conclusions:
* Everybody needs calcium — but probably not as much as our government’s recommended daily allowance (RDA).
* Calcium probably doesn’t prevent broken bones. Few people in this country are likely to reduce their fracture risk by getting more calcium.
* Men may not want to take calcium supplements. Supplements of calcium and vitamin D may reasonable for women.
* Dairy may be unhealthy. Advocating dairy consumption may have negative effects on health.
According to Dr. Mark Hyman M.D, there are “more scientific studies worth noting:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently asked the UDSA to look into the scientific basis of the claims made in the “milk mustache” ads. Their panel of scientists stated the truth clearly:
* Milk doesn’t benefit sports performance.
* There’s no evidence that dairy is good for your bones or prevents osteoporosis — in fact, the animal protein it contains may help cause bone loss!
* Dairy is linked to prostate cancer.
* It’s full of saturated fat and is linked to heart disease.
* Dairy causes digestive problems for the 75 percent of people with lactose intolerance.
* Dairy aggravates irritable bowel syndrome.
Simply put, the FTC asked the dairy industry, “Got Proof?” — and the answer was NO!
In addition, dairy has been linked to conditions such as:
* Allergies
* Sinus problems
* Ear infections
* Type 1 diabetes
* Chronic constipation
* Anemia (in children)”
Many people claim that raw milk is different…
Is it?
Not really.
Again, Dr. Hyman:
“Although raw, whole, organic milk assuages concerns like pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and the effects of homogenization and pasteurization, it is still milk.
From an evolutionary point of view, milk is a strange food for humans. Until 10,000 years ago we didn’t domesticate animals and weren’t able to drink milk (unless some brave hunter-gather milked a wild tiger or buffalo!).
If you don’t believe that then consider this: the majority of humans naturally stop producing significant amounts of lactase – the enzyme needed to properly metabolize lactose, the sugar in milk – sometime between the ages of two and five.
In fact, for most mammals, the normal condition is to stop producing the enzymes needed to properly digest and metabolize milk after they have been weaned.
Our bodies just weren’t made to digest milk on a regular basis.
Instead, most scientists agree that it’s better for us to get calcium, potassium, protein, and fats from other food sources, like whole plant foods — vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and seaweed.”
What do you think?
Here’s Dr. Mark Hyman’s M.D’s advice for dealing with dairy:
* If you want healthy bones, get plenty of exercise and supplement with 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily — don’t rely on dairy.
* Get your calcium from dark green leafy vegetables, sesame tahini, sea vegetables, and sardines or salmon with the bones.
* Try giving up all dairy — that means milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream for two weeks and see if you feel better. You should notice improvements with your sinuses, post-nasal drip, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, energy, and weight. Then start eating dairy again and see how you feel. If you feel worse, you should try to give it up for life.
* If you can tolerate dairy, then use only raw, organic dairy products, preferably fermented products like unsweetened yogurt and kefir, occasionally.
* If you have to feed your child formula from milk, don’t worry. The milk in infant formula is hydrolyzed or broken down and easier to digest (although it can still cause allergies). Once your child is a year old, switch him or her to real food and almond milk.”
The bottom line…
Dairy is not essential for good health!
If you have strange health problems and even if you don’t, I suggest that you go dairy-free and see how you feel.
You might, like my friend and many others I have worked with, be pleasantly surprised!
Until next time…
Kind Regards,
A
Cindy
Lisa McLellan
Anthony
Darryl Pace
Keri Eagan
Vegas Boomer Dating Expert
Vicki
Michael D Walker
Peggy Larson
Anthony,
This is very good. I’ve heard things like this in the past but wasn’t sure of the accuracy. This seems like a good source.
Anthony:
I’ve been on the warpath against dairy for a long time. For most people it’s a bad choice, but there is so much money thrown at it that people are misinformed and ignorant. Thanks for the great article.
Steve Chambers
Business to Business Sales Training Expert
Water Buffalo, camels, goats, sheep, horses and reindeer are also milked.
I love milk, but I have a friend who has at least half the symptoms you mentioned. I’m going to forward her your blog link.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Tips, Babysitting Services – Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
Hi Anthony,
with all the hormones and junk which is often in milk etc. I have certainly heard that many people have various kinds of dairy intolerance.
I find the high fat items fine in my system, half and half for coffee and lowfat cottage cheese. But I got off of drinking milk when I tried the South Beach Diet a few years back. Too much sugar in it actually. I eat ice cream as a rare treat only. Slow Churn. No ADDED sugar.
Glad to hear he is in better health having seen you!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert
I love the taste of milk, but it does make me feel nauseous if I drink too much of it…
MOOOO Man! I’m not real big on milk.
I love the information you have and the way you back it up. Your blog is worth a second look and worth forwarding to others. Good stuff Anthony!
Lynn Lane
http://www.Warriorofsuccess.com
Hey hey Mr. Anthony,
I have a lady who is in THIS round of Kevin’s class whom I am going to send over to your blog.
1. a little blog discussion (back and forth blog posting) might be interesting on this topic. Personally I am VERY interested because Whey Protein is a significant staple in my diet post Bariatric surgery.
2. Internet success long term online, like offline, is all about Relationships. And I think you two would be good for each other in business and health. Her name is Kate/Katie.
Take care, man,
April Braswell
Hi April,
Send her on over, the more the merrier. I love connecting with new people. Especially, those who and learn from or help in any way!
As far as whey protein goes, pre-digested ion exchange whey protein is great for your situation. It is very easy on the body unless you are allergic or sensitive to casein.
This breaks my heart, but it is confirmed in my reading and research.
I love cheese – like have-8-kinds-in-my-refrigerator-right-now love cheese. But I stick to goat cheese. It seems (totally anecdotal) to have fewer of the issue that cow’s milk has. I haven’t looked into yet, but you’ve inspired me to do just that.
Compositionally what is the difference between human milk and cow milk?
Did we start drinking cow milk thinking it would be like drinking mother’s milk?
Great article Anthony.
Cleanse from the inside out, Katie
Katie:
Cow’s milk for CALF to drink, NOT designed by nature for human consumption.
Anthony: Superb summary on diary products esp. cow’s milk. Congrats!
I heard from a pastor that cow milk is not mentioned in Bible (but goal milk apparently is).
[...] This past week I came across a book connecting diet and acne and had many of my anecdotal suspicions confirmed with some scientific data. More about that to follow. About the same time my dear friend April Braswell, Boomer Dating Coach Extraordinaire, introduced me to Anthony Lemme who facilitates functional nutrition. [...]
Hi,
thanks for writing this one as well.
In all of my food experiences as a massage therapist and bodyworker for the past 15 years, as a mother, and as someone working to heal herself, I have yet to meet anyone who has improved their health through dairy. Not a one. On the other hand, i cannot even begin to count the number of people who have gone off dairy and commented to me how much better they feel. From weight loss, to no under eye circles, to less sinus issues, cutting dairy makes people look and feel better, end of story.
I also must admit that I find it amazing that people are willing to drink bovine lactation. Every study done on human lactation shows that it is ASTOUNDING in every area of health: preventatively and curatively and for growth and intelligence. It is such an amazing healing agent and health promoter, that the more it is studied, the better it looks. Right now the longest studies that I am aware of are on nursing for 1 year, and the conclusion is “DO IT!” If they studied it for the effects on nursing for 2 years or 3 years, I have no doubt they would conclude the same. I nursed my children for 2 years, and I was considered “radical” for doing so. I will also tell you that not one person I met was willing to drink any human lactation (hey I am talking from a bottle here … lol). I find it amazing that people won’t drink a lactation designed for them and their optimal health (by the universe/God/plenum/zero point field/what have you), but they will willingly sit there and eat and drink bovine lactation that makes them feel and perform at low levels for no apparent reason.
I have been dairy free for years at a time. I know it is an easy habit to slip into because of our culture, so I get it from both points of view. In the land of daily lattes, dairy free is certainly not encouraged. Too, I know how hard it is to have kids and try to avoid dairy and be involved in mainstream culture to any degree. Heavens…we raise kids on dairy here (mac and cheese, butter and noodles, grilled cheese, and cheese pizza are on every kids menu in any given restaurant in our country) so it is a tough habit to break. I get it, I get it. Again, it goes back to conscious eating, and checking in with our bodies, and trusting our own knowing about how we feel better.
To your health!
much love,
Laura
http://www.LaughingDivas.com
Tony,
Fantastic post as always! I agree that dairy is no good…for all these reasons and more. First of all, it is highly inflammatory; a you mentioned, it’s one of the most common food allergies. Plus, it’s high saturated fat increases cholesterol, and the artificial hormones worsen estrogen dominance in women.
It also contributes to weight gain. Which makes sense if you think about it. The truth is, cow’s milk is really the breast milk of another mammal and is intended to grow a calf into a 300 to 400 pound animal. Think what it’s doing to you!
Also, dairy is highly addictive…and not just because of the salt and mouth-feel. It has opioid properties. The enzymes that produce opiates are not confined to poppies; they also hide inside cows’ livers. So traces of morphine can pass into the animal’s bloodstream and end up in milk and milk products. These opiates hide inside casein, the main dairy protein. As casein molecules are digested, they break apart to release tiny opiate molecules, called casomorphins. One of these compounds has about one-tenth the opiate strength of morphine.
When you take all this into consideration, it makes sense that breaking free of dairy can be very difficult for many people. But the health benefits are so worth it!
[...] my Post, Got Milk? Well Maybe You Shouldn’t Unless You Are a Baby Cow, I have received many emails and great [...]
oh, mY!
[...] – Those of you who know me, know I am not down with dairy. If you want to know why then click here. If you are going to consume dairy, make sure it is raw, unpasteurized and comes from grass-fed [...]