I’ve no doubt that the quality of milk now-a-days is very different to what is was in those days, it’s said to contain some of the chemicals which are fed to cattle now, but then most, if not all, of our food contains chemicals/preservatives etc!

I also know that some believe pasteurization changes milk’s fat and protein molecules, making it unrecognizable and indigestible by the human body. This is not emphasised at uni, we are told you need dairy products!

Lactose intolerance is quite common in children and I have seen a few adults too in clinic with the condition. I read that “certain human populations have undergone a mutation on chromosome 2 which results in a bypass of the common shutdown in lactase production, allowing members of these populations to continue consumption of fresh milk and other milk products throughout their lives”. “Since the majority of northern Europeans and some Mediterranean Europeans have the mutation rendering them lactose-tolerant, lactose intolerance is widely regarded as a medical condition in Europe and North America.” From that it would seem that most of us have the ability to digest milk, however it appears to be a ‘mutation’!

I think the jury is out on this one Glenn! The annoying thing is that the Government and Dairy producers could be covering up the truth about this issue to make more money! Sickening thought!!

wikipedia also states…”Approximately 70% of the global population cannot tolerate lactose in adulthood.”

Food for thought?

OK, the Bible talks of “the land flowing with milk and honey” and it is obvious that this implys a land rich in natural wealth, a land much to be desired. A fertile and productive land.
Look at the references to milk in the New Testament…surely they are drawing the parallel between the newly saved, new born, young Christian, stating the need for milk for infants, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”

I wonder if the quality of the milk has changed over the years, I have read that pasteurization changes the chemical make-up of the calcium, rendering it undigestible by the human body, have you ever heard anything along these lines?
Perhaps raw milk is superior, and could be described as “one of the most nutritionally complete foods available”.
I won’t even mention that I heard that something like 20% of adults have lost a vital enzyme (Retinol I think) required to digest milk, no, I will not mention that, incase I am wrong.

Anyway, I’m enjoying your site, it might even inspire some effort on the better diet front!

Yes I know there are lots of theories out there to say that we don’t actually need milk in our diets. Some say the Government continue to push this idea on us as a huge money making scheme…to be honest I don’t know!

I’ve also read that in countries like Japan they eat very little dairy, but some report they have relatively low incidences of osteoporosis! What they do eat a lot of, however, is fish, vegetables and soya bean, therefore they are getting their calcium sources from elsewhere (from fish if they eat the bones, calcium is also found in green leafy veg and soya bean is a rich source).

I’ve had a look at the International Ospeoporosis Foundation website: http://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-and-statistics.html#factsheet-category-25

Here are some of the facts they quote state:
- “Calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduces rates of bone loss and also fracture rates in older male and female adults, and the elderly”
- “In institutionalized elderly women, this combined supplementation reduced hip fracture rates”
- “Osteoporosis affects an estimated 75 million people in Europe, USA and Japan”

Each of these statements are backed by scientific studies and journals, which you can access from my link above.

The other question I have is that in the Bible does it not mention the milk and the honey as something good to eat? What do you think the milk represented in this case, or where did it come from?

The adult male Mountain Gorilla, which is (I think) twice the size of an average man, but TEN times stronger, has never been observed,(to my knowledge), drinking a glass of milk.

Where does a big strong adult Bull get the calcium, and all the vitamins necessary, for its’ big strong bones (not to mention those big long horns)

I can’t wait to be convinced of the need for milk in my diet !