Contents:
- Medical Video: Milk Could Be Killing You!
- Why is milk not necessarily good for the body?
- 1. Lactose intolerance (lactose intolerance)
- 2. Allergy to milk
- 3. Causes acne
- 4. Possible increased risk of cancer
Medical Video: Milk Could Be Killing You!
The good or bad of milk for the body is currently a controversy. Health organizations support milk consumption because it is good for bone growth and health. However, several studies show that milk has a bad impact on the body. In addition, there are also certain conditions in people who cannot consume milk. What are the negative effects of milk that might occur? See the explanation below.
Why is milk not necessarily good for the body?
Besides its many functions, sometimes milk also has a negative impact on the body. Some people may also be advised not to make milk as the main source of calcium for the body. There are several reasons why milk might not be the best source of calcium for everyone, namely:
1. Lactose intolerance (lactose intolerance)
People who have lactose intolerance are not advised to make milk as a source of calcium for their bodies. Milk and dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products contain lactose (milk sugar) which the body will digest with the help of an enzyme called lactase. However, lactase in a person's body varies in number. Some people cannot digest lactose from milk properly because they have only a small amount of lactase enzyme in their body. This condition is called lactose intolerance (lactose intolerance).
For people who have lactose intolerance, eating or drinking dairy products can cause problems with cramps, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. These symptoms can appear from mild to severe.
Then how can people with lactose intolerance meet their calcium needs? One way is to consume other sources of calcium besides milk, including green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli, green radishes, and pokcoy), fish with thorns (such as sardines and anchovy), beans (such as soybeans and almonds).
If you still want to eat milk, look for milk that has added lactase enzymes to it, low lactose milk, or lactose-free milk. For those who have lactose intolerance, drinking smaller portions of milk seems to be tolerated by the body. They also can still consume fermented milk, such as yogurt, or high-fat dairy products, such as butter (de Vrese, et al., 2001). However, this condition varies for everyone.
2. Allergy to milk
For those who have milk allergies, obviously milk has a negative impact. Allergies in cow's milk are often found in infants and young children. This allergy occurs in children who have high levels of cow's milk antibodies in their blood. Sensitivity in cow's milk varies greatly between children who have milk allergies. Some children have a severe reaction after digesting a little milk. Others may have a lighter reaction after digesting more milk.
To avoid the impact, avoid foods and beverages that contain cow's milk and other cow's milk products. You can read labels on each food or beverage package before buying it.
What's the difference between milk allergy and lactose intolerance? Milk allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to protein in milk. When protein in milk is digested, this protein can stimulate allergic reactions ranging from mild reactions (such as the appearance of a rash, itching, and swelling) to severe reactions (such as difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness). Unlike milk allergies, lactose intolerance is a reaction that arises from a lack of lactase enzymes to digest milk, not because of the immune system.
3. Causes acne
Most teenagers must have had pimples on their face. One food or drink that can cause acne is milk or products that contain whey protein. In milk contains insulin and IGF-1 growth hormone. These two factors can trigger the growth of acne. Increased insulin or IGF-1 in the body can signal the factors that can cause acne on the face (Melnik, 2011).
4. Possible increased risk of cancer
Some studies show that high milk consumption can increase the risk of cancer, such as ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. The analysis, collected from 12 prospective cohort studies and involving more than 500,000 women, found that women with a high intake of lactose, which is equivalent to 3 glasses of milk per day, had a slightly higher risk of ovarian cancer compared to women who had the lowest lactose intake. The study found no link between milk or dairy products and ovarian cancer. Some researchers have hypothesized that the practice of milk production in modern industries has changed the composition of milk hormones in ways that can increase the risk of cancer associated with ovarian hormones and other hormones (Genkinger, et al., 2006). However, further research is needed to find out the truth.
Other studies link milk with the risk of prostate cancer. A Harvard study showed that men who drank two glasses of milk or more a day had twice the risk of prostate cancer compared to those who did not drink milk at all. This relationship seems to arise because of the calcium content in milk. Further research found that men with high calcium intake, which is at least 2000 mg per day, had almost twice the risk of prostate cancer as those who had the lowest intake (less than 500 mg per day) (Giovannucci, et al., 1998; Giovannucci , et al., 2007).
Many types of cancer and each type of cancer have a different relationship with milk consumption. Some studies show milk consumption increases the risk of cancer. However, there are also several studies that show that milk consumption can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (Aune, et al., 2012). The relationship between cancer and milk consumption is very complex. Milk may be one of the causes of cancer, but this varies depending on each individual and what kind of milk is taken. The relationship between cancer and milk consumption clearly needs further investigation.
