Benefits of Drinking Raw Milk

By Ina Woolcott

Raw milk has unfairly received a bad name. Whilst it is possible to get ill from contaminated milk, there is always a risk of becoming ill from most food sources. However, some families are becoming aware of the benefits of raw milk and are changing to it. Public health officials warn about raw milk posing a threat of e-coli, salmonella and listeria and that pasteurising milk kills these bacteria. All it does is extend the shelf life of milk, and of course, it is a lot more profitable to the dairy industry. The fact seems to be ignored that pasteurisation causes serious damage to the quality of milk.

When milk is pasteurised the physical structure is changed and the fragile proteins found in milk are converted into proteins the human body wasn't designed to handle. Any good bacteria present is almost completely destroyed and the micronutrient and vitamin content is virtually depleted. It doesn't matter if milk is full fat or skimmed or even organic. The facts remain the same.

Some of the benefits of raw milk:

* an outstanding source of nutrients
* beneficial bacteria e.g. lactobacillus acidophilus, vitamins and enzymes
* one of the best sources of calcium available
* one of the most healthy foods you can possibly consume
* contains vitamins B6 and B12
* raw milk is not associated with any of the problems below
* people who for years have been allergic against pasteurised milk can generally tolerate, even thrive, on raw milk
* it tastes better, fresher always does!
* although the disease is hardly heard of nowadays tuberculosis was extremely rare amongst children who drank raw milk back in the 30's

The bad points of pasteurised milk:

* has been associated with a number of illnesses and symptoms including bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhoea, iron deficiency anaemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, colic in infants, allergies, skin rashes, osteoporosis, increased tooth decay, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, growth problems in children, type 1 diabetes, recurrent ear infections in children, arteriosclerosis, acne, infertility, leukaemia, rheumatoid arthritis and autism.
* structure of milk proteins are changed into something far from healthy
* beneficial bacteria destroyed as well as many of its nutritious components
* destroys vitamin B12 and B6 and vitamin A
* promotes pathogens
* raw milk goes sour, pasteurised milk rots as it has no beneficial bacteria to help keep putrefactive bacteria under control
* contains antibiotic residue, pesticides and growth hormones
* commercial dairy cows are raised on grains and not grass like they were meant to changing the composition of fats in the milk * calves who are fed pasteurised milk die before maturity! (What does that tell you?)

It may be a challenge obtaining raw milk, but it is so worth the effort.

Special Featured Resource: Why You Want to Drink Raw Milk