Milk May, or May Not, Be What You Need for Health
By Tom Herrin
There was a time in which Americans relied heavily on foods that they produced at home. A large majority of us lived on farms and were very successful in doing so. The American dream was built on our ability to work and take risks. At that time, virtually everyone received their nutrition from what they were able to produce. A mainstay in many diets was milk. We all knew that children must have it from the beginning of life. Most of us have experience with the school meals programs. They are largely based on milk. No meal is served without it. Milk has long been considered to be essential for children to grow and develop as they should.
Milk May Be Useful to Adults
Long after we no longer felt we needed to concentrate on foods that can best help us grow and develop, we can still benefit from milk. For many years, we were encouraged to drink skim milk because we should avoid the fats. In more recent times, there has been some evidence to indicate that drinking milk with fat may be good for us. It is believed that the fat may actually help to raise our level of good cholesterol. It also may help to manage blood pressure due, largely, to its potassium content.
Milk May Be Harmful to Adults
Some of us simply have poor tolerance for milk. It is not by choice but by our basic structure. We are not all made alike. Lactose sensitivity is something for which we have been aware for quite some time. Some just can't consume it without becoming ill. Others appear to have problems with one of the proteins in cows' milk. This kind of milk generally contains two kinds of proteins. They are referred to as A1 and A2. It is now known that some individuals are sensitive to the A1 protein.
We Have Choices
Even if we have problems with some of the contents of milk, there are other things we may be able to use as substitutes. Lactose-free milk has been available for several years in many different brands. More recently, we have had the availability of milk that does not have the A1 protein. It is clearly labeled as A2. Almond milk has become increasingly popular as a source of calcium. It can be found in a variety of flavors and may be used much like cows' milk. For the most part, we have to be informed about our options and our health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Oceanside, Calif.