I have heard several people say that when they gave up dairy (in their 40's or 50's) that many little problems went away for them, stomach/intestinal type things. Have any of you done this and what type of changes did you notice?

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), January 09, 2002

Answers

Before giving up dairy, I'd try adding acidopholus milk or yogurt into my diet--it adds the good bacteria you need for good digestion. It's difficult to get the calcium you need without dairy so it's better to try to clear up those problems in a positve way first. Just my humble opinion--not being difficult.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 09, 2002.

Go to realmilk.com and read what they have to say. Most people who cannot tolerate milk really can't tolerate the cooked homogenized store milk. Find a source for raw milk, and you get all the benefits of milk without the medical problems. I've had Crohn's disease for many years (talk about digestions problems!) and raw milk has made a world of difference for me. Much better than the 10 years of "dairy free". Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@centurytel.net), January 09, 2002.

Right, Kathy, I should have said that. I've also heard that many people who drink goat's milk find it solves their problems (many doctors recommend it for ulcers and for babies who have trouble with cow's milk).

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 09, 2002.

I take acidopholus caps each day--&--drink raw milk---& have cut back some on what I did use /as it was in excess of what any human needed/ as I was raised on a small dairy--what did I do but drink tons of milk!!! It was a habit---so I cut back-------if I have stomach troubles I take more acidopholus to build the good guys in my stomach- -I would say if you drink any type of products with carbonated water-- -or caffine foods or drinks they would be what to cut out to help stomach problems!! Just my own personal opinion!!

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 09, 2002.

Stoore bought milk makes me sick and mucousy/runny nose. I've been getting organic milk from a food co-op and don't have that problem. It's processed some, but the cows haven't been fed all those hormones and atibiotics. Also, my friend's cow just delivered so I'll be getting real milk soon to drink and make yogurt with. Don't have problems with that either.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 10, 2002.

finally got rid of a chronic [15 yrs] ear infection. arthritic hands able to do a little more before getting tender. knees not swollen so much and can get up and walk normally again. sinus problems much better. liver works better. gallbladder no longer talks to me at nite so I sleep better now.

I had real milk all my life. 1st started having lactose intolerance. the enzyme worked for awhile - with store things [like ice cream]. then I could only do raw milk, then only blue john. now no milk or milk products. the only thing I cheat with is a hershey's bar every now and then, and I get by with it!

you can sub soft tofu for cream cheese, firm for cottage cheese. pizza places will leave the cheese off and add extra veggies in its place.

I take Now brand full-spectrum minerals. cow's milk is for baby cows anyway, is it not?

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), January 10, 2002.

I tend to agree with you Carol. A couple of years ago I gave up milk and milk products and I did indeed feel better. Then when I was told I had severe osteoporosis I got scared and started partaking of dairy products again. I think I will try increasing my calcium pills and try cutting out dairy again to see if that helps. Do you think it is actually the dairy itself or the horomones and antibiotics in it? We have been so brain-washed to believe we need dairy products, I'm just really not sure anymore if we do or not. Have you tried soy and/or rice milk? The rice milk is not bad say to put on cereal. I Don't care much for the soy milk but it is probably more nutritious.

-- Barb in Ky, (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 10, 2002.

Thank you all so much for your comments. It does appear though that not drinking store milk has made a difference overall in most of your cases. I will try to find a source here for raw milk, not too many folks here keep dairy cows but I will try. Thank you all again.

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), January 10, 2002.

The problem is that if you read your labels, almost everything has milk products, and or wheat products (another big underreported allergy) in it. Over time (years) you can develop sensitivities to certain foods. You might want to try an elimination diet (they use it to determine food allergies) and you might find something else entirely is the problem.

I like soy and rice milk, but you have to read the ingredients on those as well--they are loaded with sugar in one form or another. Non-dairy creamer is another one--lots of corn syrup solids in addition to the cholesterol. You can always take calcium supplements, and other foods have calcium as well, if that does turn out to be the problem.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 10, 2002.

A nutritionist I went to several years ago, told me people can't use the calcium in cow's milk and that if you're allergic to a certain food give it up for at least 6 months and you'll get over the allergy. That worked with pop corn.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 10, 2002.

I agree with Cindy, you can't absorb the calcium in any animal products well at!!! I haven't had dairy for many years, and I am 42 and my first bine density scan earned me the highest praise from my ob/gyn!!! I do eat tons of dark green and orange vegetables and fruits, and lots of beans, which are VERY high in absorbable calcium, as well as fiber and other vitamins and minerals.

Most folks put themselves in calcium debit due to overconsumption of protein, salt and carbonated beverages, which leach calcium out of your bones when these things are consumed.

If you eat healthy to begin with, your calcium requirements are very low, easily met by daily calcium citrate supplementation as well as your healthy diet.

Animal protein causes severe arthritis and joint pain flair-ups in some adults, especially dairy foods, which includes cheese and yogurt. Try eliminating them for two weeks and see if you feel better, I sure did!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 10, 2002.

Jeez, my typing!!! "Animal products well at ALL" and "Bone" density scan were intended!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 10, 2002.

Katie, Annie sounds good to me in terms of the little I understand of nutrition. I gave up dairy products and it solved my severe stomach problems. I would recommend Harvey Diamond's Living Health, now marketed as Fit for Life II. A real eye-opener.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), January 13, 2002.

I'm so excited...my niece, who is violently allergic to most milk products, tried my goat feta at Christmas time and was fine! The poor kid also reacts badly to most soy products, so you can imagine that finding things to eat can be a real nightmare. I'm hoping she will tolerate other goat cheeses and goat milk products well also. We'll be experimenting, I'm sure!

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), January 13, 2002.

I have friends who have a cow. they feed as natural as possible - still goes right me without digesting.

As a child, I had all the raw milk I wanted. I had white spots on my nails and teeth [from not having the other minerals for calcium utilization]. at 16 I developed severe bursitis and was given zinc. what a dif it made!! the arthritis I have now is not as painful as the bursitis was.

NOW brand full-spectrum minerals are less than 6$ for 100. 2 a day recommended. they have a whole list of trace minerals, in the amounts thot to be needed. I had been taking calcium citrate and several separate ones until I found them all together and cheaper. I believe you can find the closet source to you at www.nowfoods.com.

I could hardly walk 2 yrs ago and now work one day a wk at a sale barn. last wk I worked 16 hrs straight [with one break]in 23* weather. besides dairy, I have also cut out white flour, sugar, coffee and black tea, I never did drink soda.

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.