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Real People, Real Food, Real Results
by Carl Mason-Liebenberg
I’m real and so are you, right? And because I am real — not made in a factory somewhere, comprised of synthetics, scrap metal and other compounds — I believe in REAL food. I then, also believe that real people, eating real food, get real results! What does that mean exactly? Simply stated, it means God made us and the food we need for abundant, healthy living. Milk included! And that is our topic today.
Is the milk we buy in the grocery store real? Does it bear any resemblance to the product Mother Nature created? Or have we, in our quest to improve, enhance and enrich its and its nature, robbed it of its true value?
Not so long ago, milk came straight from the cow which roamed about the countryside eating grass all day. Ranchers rose at dawn and harvested the milk by hand and delivered it fresh to the table. They then used it to make butter, cheese and other cultured dairy products which they consumed as a part of their daily nutrition. It was REAL. Words like pasteurized, homogenized, enriched and fortified were unknown. Then, in response to illness and disease outbreaks believed to be associated with dairy, these terms soon became the standard by which all dairy would be produced in the industrial age that soon followed.
The problem and what few realized, is that dairy itself was not the culprit. Sanitation was. The wrong problem was addressed even though it solved the issue at hand. So bear with me for a quick technical exploration of these modern processes as we look toward authentic, all natural solutions!
Pasteurization became the solution and is now something we have all grown to understand as necessary and beneficial in protecting us from disease. But as I mentioned, poor hygiene was the real issue. As the dairy industry grew and commercialization began, it was the unclean conditions and poor handling practices that caused the rampant disease and illness. Yes, pasteurization made dramatic reductions in disease but, simple cleanliness would have done the same. In time, stainless steel milking machines, and storage tanks along with improved packaging and distribution made pasteurization totally unnecessary. However, the practice continued on.
The reality is, pasteurization kills ALL bacteria in milk and does not guarantee cleanliness. There have been many salmonella outbreaks in recent years. While raw (real) milk contains lactic acid producing bacteria that act as protection against pathogens, pasteurized milk is devoid of these protective tools which have been destroyed in the process. That leaves the product vulnerable to contamination should any normal hygienic practice fail.
Pasteurization also alters milk’s amino acids making the proteins less available for absorption. It reduces vitamin C by 50% and other vitamins by as much as 80%. Vitamin b12 is destroyed altogether. All enzymes are destroyed. These enzymes help the body assimilate all its body building, health promoting elements. That is why many milk consumers still battle osteoporosis: Lack of nutrient absorption.
After pasteurization, chemicals and synthetics are added to restore taste, and suppress odour. Then vitamin D2 and D3 are added both of which are synthetic and proven difficult if not impossible for the body to use. It doesn’t stop there.
Homogenization, the process that prevents the separation of curds and whey add insult to the injury. Homogenization has been called “the worst thing dairymen have done to milk.” In brief, homogenization filters and presses milk fats at 4,000 pounds per square inch, which causes a reduction of size of fat globules. This process oxidizes milk fats making them carcinogenic and toxic to the body.
Because raw milk proteins are digested in the presence of milk enzymes, the process of pasteurization and homogenization destroy these natural biological processes. The human digestive tract often recognizes these damaged milk proteins as antigens and the body may mount a defensive immune response.
This is a primary reason why pasteurized dairy is associated with mucous production, leaky gut, allergies, lactose intolerance and autoimmune processes.
Bottom-line in a very complicated and really unnecessary process is that modern milk is DEAD. The result is an enormous strain on the body’s digestive system; the very system that determines our wellness.
The answer? Short of a return to milk expressed fresh from pasture raised cows and delivered straight to the table which is simply unattainable to most these days and illegal in many areas, Cultured dairy! Cultured or fermented dairy products have been the staple of many traditional cuisines and we will explore those in depth in next week’s post.
For now, unless you have a free milk cow available, stock up on products like yogurt, kefir, buttermilk and cultured cream along with most imported cheeses (all cheese is cultured but not all naturally). These selections offer great nutritional value with far less toxicity.
Got milk? Is milk an element of your daily nutritional strategy? In what form? I’d love to hear from you as we explore a truly wonderful element of natural wellness!
Weigh in below: What do you think about the current dairy industry? Do you drink milk?
Carl Mason-Liebenberg is a Wellness and Weight Loss Specialist, Author, Fitness Coach, and a Leader in Creating a Lifestyle of Wellness.
His passion is for those who suffer from poor nutrition, related illnesses, addictions and overweight conditions; with a specific focus on women. Carl unveils the power of nutrition and fitness to bring recovery, healing, restoration and strength.
Carl has personally experienced what he teaches and continues to study and learn to improve his ability to teach you a Lifestyle of Wellness.
He has recently launched a series of e-products and services called Simply Good that you’ll want to be sure to obtain in your journey to authentic wellness. For more information and opportunities please join him at his site: http://www.el3mentsofwellness.com.
4 Comments on "Real People, Real Food, Real Results: Got Milk?"
Rob, Thank you so much for offering your incredible site and platform for me to share some nutritonal passions! I am very excited and most certainly honored!
Carl Mason-Liebenberg recently posted..3 Effective Steps to Sexy Abs
The pleasure is all ours, Carl. Thanks for sharing your expertise. We look forward to Part 2!
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