To the Editor:

Independent peer-reviewed literature including that provided on the websites of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and NutritionFacts.Org suggest that dairy is unhealthy. The literature persuasively summarizes that dairy consumption is related to a variety of cancers including ovarian, lung, prostate, breast, and pancreatic. Other dairy consumption health consequences described include, for example, heart disease, poor bone health, diabetes, dementia, acne, arthritis, and increased fracture risks.  

1. Colin Campbell, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University, was able to turn cancer cell growths on and off with varying levels of casein. Dr. Campbell stated: "Casein, which makes up 87% of cow’s milk protein, promoted all stages of the cancer process.”  

The overall lactose intolerance rate for U.S. citizens is estimated to be around 40% and varies by ethnicity. Many people apparently unknowingly suffer from lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.  Symptoms can include bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Milton Mills, MD stated: “73% of African-Americans are lactose intolerant, 95% of Asians, roughly 70% of Native Americans, and about 53% of Hispanic Americans are lactose intolerant. Our government is encouraging Americans of color to eat foods that it knows it’s going to make them ill.” 

Literature suggesting that dairy is healthy tends to be dairy industry financed. Calley Means in a recent interview with Mark Hyman, MD described the institutions of influence as being rigged. The institutions  Calley was referring to include the USDA, FDA, nutrition education programs, and university nutrition research. The institutions are rigged by lobbying and funding, and are not independent. Within that discussion Dr. Hyman stated: “If you’re studying dairy and funded by the dairy council, you’re going to find it’s a great sports drink, it’s healthy for you, and we should be recommending it, and independent science doesn’t show that.” 

Diary health concerns aren’t being emphasized enough within dietician education programs, the  healthcare system, and nutrition counseling. As much as is known from independent literature, it seems unethical for healthcare providers, public health websites, and nutritionists to not inform clients of dairy health consequences.

Michael Klaper, MD stated:

“The human body has no more need for cows’ milk than it does for dogs’ milk, horses’ milk, or giraffes’ milk.”

"People are the only animals that drink the milk of the mother of another species. All other animals stop drinking milk altogether after weaning. It is unnatural for a dog to nurse from a mother giraffe; it is just as unnatural for a human being to drink the milk of a cow. It is not surprising that problems ensue from this inherently unnatural act.”

“Whether you pour it on your cereal as a liquid, churn it into butter, curdle it into yogurt, ferment it into cheese, or add sugar and freeze it to make ice cream… It’s baby calf growth fluid!”

Hippocrates stated: “Let thy food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be thy food.” Dairy products aren’t medicine, they’re unhealthy.

Randy Johnston
Potsdam