h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

ok, this is a big matter of contention, so if anyone has links to good research on the topic, i would be very interested to read them. but in brief, too much dairy is not good for you. in addition to the fact that dairy is generally fairly high in saturated fats, etc, the main reasoning behind this statement is evolutionary.
humans and close ancestors have been around for X millions of years (that's a figure so contentious, you can all insert whatever you want). dairy animals (cattle, goats, camels, water buffalo, sheep) were domesticated no more than 6,000 years ago, probably more like 4,000.
the process of human evolution is extraordinary, but VERY SLOW. therefore, many argue that the human body has simply not had time to evolve and adjust to a large intake of dairy products.
we are designed to have milk from our own mothers when we are young. it's not just food, it's filled with hormones and antibodies that help us grow and develop our immune systems.
cows (sheep, goats, etc) are the same way.
SO, how much bovine hormone do you need? well, none actually.
i suppose its possible that given another few million years, the human digestive system could work out some way of neutralizing the hormones, but for the moment that's not the case. we are essentially drinking cow baby formula when we drink milk - something that wasnt designed for us. and i think it's logicl to assume that if it wasnt designed for us, we dont really need it.

umm, was that at ALL coherent?
again, i invite anyone's thoughts, knowledge, or links on this subject, as i would very much like to know more of the specifics.

Very coherent indeed. There is research showing that the highest rates of osteoporosis occur in countries whose people consume a lot of diary products: i.e., United States, Scandinavian countries. Most humans don't produce the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar once they're past the age of two or three; if they consume dairy products, their innards will rebel. The exception to this is people of Northern European descent, who generally continue to produce the necessary enzyme all their lives - which still doesn't mean dairy is good for them.

I'm more worried about the hormones in milk and a possible link to breast cancer. And I'm not so sure - though I have NO evidence to back this up - that mad cow disease can't be passed through milk.

A doctor I know has devoted his practice to treated gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, etc. The first thing he does with his patients is eliminate all diary from their diets. Which is very hard to do, by the way. If you read food labels, you'll see lactic acid, milk fat, or casein (a milk protein) in lots of prepared and processed foods. Even soy 'cheese' has milk in it!

Here in the States, a fellow named Robert Cohen has launched a 'Not Milk' campaign to educate people about dairy products. His web site is at http://www.notmilk.com/. Read some of his articles and you'll never drink milk again.

quizzical
(who still loves her cheese )