Have you noticed that just about every magazine publication in America reserves an entire page featuring celebrities donning a white mustache portraying the infamous ad that proclaims, “Milk does the body good?” Contrary to what the star-studded ads declare, my suspicion of milk related health issues led me to question, “Does milk really do the body good?”
My curiosity on this subject eventually became a research paper for a college course. Studies confirmed that milk is in fact related to several health issues ranging from allergies, digestive disorders, and ear infections in children to the most extreme health concern-cancer. For this particular research paper, I focused my research on the link between milk and cancer. A recent study from the Medical School at Harvard showed that a growth producing hormone called IGF-1 has been shown to increase normal and cancerous cells in the breast and colon. Cows that receive shots of the growth hormone rBGH, also known as rBST (recombinant bovine growth hormone), are shown to have high levels of the IGF-1 in the milk. 
Dr. Samuel Epstein, a scientist reveals in his article in the International Journal of Health Sciences the dangers of IGF-1 hormones in the milk from cows given synthetic bovine growth hormone. He claims that IGF-1 used in milk production of cows could be a possible cause for breast and gastrointestinal cancers. Experimentation in rats has proved this to be a fact, and moreover, the hormone has been shown to speed up the production of the breast cancer cells. This alone should stir up concerns in women young and old. Milk has been a household staple for decades, and to be challenged health-wise is mind boggling to many.
What is interesting is that other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan have prohibited the use of this hormone while the United States continues to sell milk and dairy products with questionable health risks to the public. The FDA tried to prevent the labeling on the milk treated with rBGH, thus keeping the public from making decisions based on what is best for them. You can now find dairy and milk products without hormones. It will usually have a seal on the carton that says, “Milk from cows not treated with rBST.” Until recently, organic milk was only carried primarily in health food stores; however, we are now seeing an increase number of mainstream supermarkets starting to offer the organic option.
Even though the FDA may give their seal of approval on something that is safe for our consumption, we have the right to request accurate labeling on anything that could potentially be life threatening.
According to these studies, there should be enough of a concern for those who consume conventional milk, to perhaps consider an alternative. Organic milk does not contain these hormones. What is the difference between regular and organic milk? Organic milk is from cows that are not treated with any hormones or antibiotics. They are grass-fed, and graze in the field. Organic milk sales have increased about 20 percent a year for the last decade, driven primarily by consumer demand for hormone-free milk. Sales will continue to increase as more and more consumers are made aware of the potential health risks.
We often hear the phrase, “You are what you eat;” however, having read these findings and others alike, it might be more appropriate to rephrase it–“You are what the animal eats!” Organic milk costs a little bit more. Perhaps having this knowledge, you might want to pay the farmer a little more now than the doctor a whole lot more later!
Additional Information: What’s That in My Milk?
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Very informative post. I can no longer drink milk with ease. I suffer through it at times with my corn flakes, however, consumption is much less. I have learned that it is the culprit linked to various health challenges. It is also not good for children with autism.
It makes me mad that government that is suppose to protect its citizens, allows harm to come through food consumption! My son & I both have milk allergies. I wonder too if its because of the hormones??
Awesome post! My three year old loves milk and we’ve bought organic (unless it was totally impossible which is rare) milk for him for this reason exactly!
I haven’t had milk in 3 years and I’ve seen so many positive changes in my health. I read some articles several years ago about the problems milk causes in the body and its links to cancer, diabetes, allergies, digestive problems, parkinson’s, and leukemia to name a few. If you think about it, humans are the only ones who drink milk after being weened from our mothers, and most of us lose the ability to digest lactose around age four. That alone should tell us something.
Great post! I switched from skim milk to soymilk about 6 months ago. After going to a raw foods restaurant here in San Diego, she explained to me why she avoids cow’s milk and I was convinced! Not only is it lawfully allowed to contain a small percentage of blood the fact that stood out the most for me was this…
Americans consume far more regular milk than most countries yet we also have one of the largest populations affected by osteoporosis. All the ads tell us that milk is good for the body, but it turns out you need several other vitamins to actually absorb the stuff (which they don’t tell you).
And yet another point, we are one of the only mammals to drink milk after infancy. Go figure!
Again, great post! Tweeting to spread the word to the few followers I have
(twitter.com/worldlyjohn)
This is a great post, in fact this post impacts my life a great deal as I am about to transition my son from breast milk to whole milk. I had no idea that milk came with these health risks because it has always been positioned as something that is good for you. I am really going to do some research now and will most likely be giving my son organic milk. Thanks for the post!
I used to be a huge milk lover and drank it by the gallons, especially with my Oreo’s. However, I stopped drinking milk years ago because of the ever increasing amount of studies showing the negative repercussions of milk. Many studies done in Europe also show the relationship between milk and allergies and digestive disorders, especially with children. No milk for me anymore, thank you. Just look at the scandals involving cows and what they are given as far as nutrition. No wonder we should stop drinking milk as those substances are transmitted to us as well. Here’s also a web site with interesting links for those who want to read more: http://www.nomilk.com
Fabulously done. We’re huge organic eaters/drinkers, and especially when it comes to milk, eggs and meat.
I find this really interesting because I’m lactose intolerant. The thing is sometimes it gets triggered by milk and dairy products and sometimes it doesn’t. Maybe it’s because of the hormones? [of course it could be something else but it's something to think about].
Great article!
i’ve been drinking only organic milk for several years now. i have come to prefer the taste of it over other milk. one thing that i have noticed are that i no longer have the severe monthly cramping. not sure if it really is due to the switch to organic milk, but the research suggests it most likely is.
i have no problem paying more for something that is better for me AND better for the cows.