Are You Drinking Too Much Milk?
By Sara Butler
Milk is good for you. It's great for your bones and provides your body with Vitamin D to help you stay healthy. Still, you can have too much of a good thing, milk included. How do you know if you're enjoying too much milk? Here are a few signs to be on the lookout for.
How Much Milk Should You Drink?
Even though it's possible to drink too much milk, you should still make sure you're having the recommended amount of dairy each day. People over 9 years of age can have up to three cups of milk each day if they choose to, but one cup of milk should suffice. Other dairy products such as cheese and yogurt are also great sources of the vitamins, minerals, and protein your body needs.
Signs You're Drinking Too Much Milk
There are some common side effects of drinking too much milk. Here are a few of the things you should be on the lookout for:
- You have digestive issues - Many people are sensitive to lactose and others are intolerant of it. This can lead to digestive issues when you have too much milk that can make you feel very uncomfortable.
- You're tired all the time - Too much milk can also lead to you feeling tired all the time since the casein in milk can have an inflammatory effect on the lining of the gut. This can leave you feeling tired no matter how long you rest.
- Acne - Acne breakouts can be a sign that your body is dealing with something it cannot tolerate and that can manifest itself in skin problems. Some full-fat dairy products have been linked to acne in some people.
- Decreased bone mass - While the calcium in milk is good for you bones, too much can lead to chronic inflammation that can actually lead to loss of bone mass. In fact, studies have shown that too much milk can increase the risk of bone fractures in women as they get older.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease - Too much milk can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease too, including an increased risk of death.
Milk is part of a healthy diet. It's simply important that you not go overboard as you enjoy it! Pay attention to the signs your body is sending and you'll know if you go overboard.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sterling, Va.