Cows Milk vs Soy Milk

Here is a topic where if you mention to someone milk isn't good for you, you will definitely get some funny looks. Trust me..I've got those funny looks. I find it very unfortunate when I try to explain why its not good for you and I just can't seem to get the words out to make it a winning argument.

So first off lets start with cows milk, our everyday "good for you" "makes strong bones" milk. It is true that cow's milk is rich in calcium but what we don't realize is how rich it also is in phosphorus. When phosphorus combines with calcium in our intestines it prevents the calcium in the milk from being absorbed. So are you giving me those dirty looks yet?! Hmmm!! Drinking pasteurized milk creates an acidic body. A healthy bodies pH level is 7.4 or slightly alkaline. So since calcium is a nice neutralizer for acid, when the body does get acidic you will naturally draw calcium away from the bones and teeth in order to restore your healthy pH balance. How exciting huh!! So since everybody needs calcium, milk is one of the least beneficial ways of getting usable calcium. Hence why I drank no more then a glass during all of my pregnancy. And when my doctor told me that my babies spine and bones looked amazing and said you must have been drinking a lot of milk (?) I said shit no! I've been drinking tons of calcium enriched orange juice and eating lots of fruits.

* According to Frank Oski, former Director of the Department of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins, in his book Don't Drink Your Milk, Diarrhea, cramps, gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, recurrent ear infections and even diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and leukemia have all been linked to cow’s milk.

Are you going to drink Soy milk now?

In order to ensure that you are getting a healthy amount of calcium here is a very unwanted (in my eyes) tip. You can begin by eating according to a nutrition plan that maximizes the absorption of calcium, one that creates an alkaline environment in yourself.

Here it comes...

You can begin to do this by avoiding animal protein...(ouch). High protein diets results in more calcium lose (it creates an acidic body). So make sure you eat all your leafy greens and other things rich in calcium. A diet rich in animal and dairy protein creates a higher risk for osteoporosis. The very thing all the commercials say its great for.. Now try to tell me this doesn't make any sense. Go ahead! TRY!

Now lets talk about Soy milk. Soy is a great source of vitamin E, which benefits the heart, circulation and skin. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the isoflavones in soy milk can help lower the bad cholesterol levels in your body. These isoflavones are not in cows milk. There is less calcium in soy milk but you can find some providers that make fortified soy milk with the same amount of calcium as cow's milk. (Personally at home we drink the So Nice brand, Original flavour ;) it IS SO Nice!).

Some studies have shown a link between drinking cow's milk in early life and the development of insulin dependent diabetes. *Frowny Face*

Well with all that said, each to your own. But remember too much of a good thing can be bad. So also look up the negative effects of soy milk as well if you are really interested check out Almond milk as well.