Milk does the body good . . . if you body can take it…

Milk is the universal drink. It contains essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and calcium. It nurses us from infanthood to adulthood. It is an all-around wonder drink. If that is the case, then why is it making so many of us sick?
Some people are born with such problems as milk allergies and lactose intolerance. They experience stomach and intestinal problems.
Approximately 75 percent of the world’s population have trouble digesting milk. The vast majority of these sufferers are African-American, Native-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-Americans. This problem is due to a lack of lactase, the enzyme needed to breakdown and absorb lactose, the sugar contained milk.
If milk is digested properly, it ferments in your intestine. It can cause mild to severe nausea, gas, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea. This condition is not life threatening to adults, but it can be fatal in newborns.
Despite the trouble so many have with milk, many doctors still promote it as a top source of calcium. Dr. Jeanette Newton Keith, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Section of GI Nutrition at the University of Chicago said, “It’s portable and accessible, the nutrient content is consistently the same, and it’s a very effective means of making sure calcium intake and protein needs are met. I would say that milk provides a complete nutrient product.”
The other argument is that milk is not as healthy as everyone thinks. “Daily calcium comes packaged in a form that has very high fat content. There are a lot of risks, benefits that are minimal at best,” said Dr. Milton Mills, associate director of Preventive Medicine for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
The bottom line is if you can digest milk properly, that is great. You should continue to drink your milk. If you can not digest your milk, then there are alternatives you can try. Rice milk is good for drinking and putting on cereal. You can also try soy milk.
If you are experiencing trouble digesting milk, there are foods out there that will give you trouble. Be careful when choosing what you are going to eat. Everyday foods such as cheese, cream, deli meats, hot dogs, ice cream, pizza, sausages, salad dressings, and sherbet contain milk or a milk protein.
If you suffer from a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, there is help on campus. The Baranco-Hill Infirmary at the back of campus can treat problems with lactose or milk digestion.