For and against milk

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For and against milk
For and against milk
Anonim

Authoritative researchers and nutritionists consider milk an indispensable part of our menu. But there are also skeptics who link dairy products to chronic diseases. Who is right? We will turn to the facts. For this purpose, we will show what the he alth services and authorities in more developed countries recommend

Experts from the US Department of Agriculture consider the use of dairy products necessary at any age due to their high calcium content. The daily requirement for children aged 2-3 years is two glasses a day. At 4 to 8 years old - two and a half cups a day. At 9 years and older - three glasses a day. The USDA also recommends other sources of calcium:

leafy vegetables;

canned fish;

rice and almond milk;

fortified products;

soy products.

Milk is an excellent source of potassium, calcium, vitamin D and protein. This miracle product helps to maintain the structure of bone tissue and teeth. It is especially important to consume a sufficient amount of calcium in childhood, when the intensive formation of the skeleton takes place. And after age 40, calcium prevents osteoporosis. The potassium in dairy products is needed to control blood pressure. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) serves as a natural regulator of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Regular use of milk reduces the risk of hypertension, type II diabetes and cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack.

The US Department of Agriculture emphasizes: it is desirable to emphasize low-fat or completely skimmed dairy products. Because whole milk contains a high percentage of fat and cholesterol, which can have a bad effect on the condition of your arteries.

A remark immediately follows: in the light of the latest research published in "Medbe.ru", this statement can be questioned. Some scientists state the following: moderate consumption of natural full-fat dairy products does not affect either the heart or the arteries.

Does milk really strengthen bones?

The question is more complicated than you think. The fact is that countries with high consumption of dairy products are leaders in the incidence of osteoporosis. Why is that, what is the reason? Two recent studies refute the benefits of milk for bones. Scientists have come to the conclusion that lovers of dairy products more often end up in the hospital with a fracture of the femoral neck. Other experts claim that dairy products help preserve bone mineral density, thus preventing fractures. This fact was proven in the course of randomized controlled studies, and this is a rather strong argument in favor of milk and milk products. Don't forget about protein, phosphorus and vitamin K2 as well. This vitamin is only found in whole milk from free-range cows. Vitamin K2 is of plant origin, and in order for it to accumulate in the body of animals, they must constantly eat fresh grass.

Lactose intolerance

Can milk finally be called a natural human product? You have probably heard or read the hypothesis that cow's milk is "unnatural" for humans, therefore it should not be consumed by them. In fact, this product contains a mass of essential amino acids, vitamins, micro- and macroelements, thanks to which it is considered an analogue of mother's milk. Yes, from a strictly evolutionary point of view, milk is not an essential product for the elderly.

Ancient people did not know, did not suspect about it until the times of the agricultural revolution - 10-11th century BC. However, archaeological research shows that during the past "dairy" millennia, our genes have changed, and our digestive system has adapted to the use of dairy products. Hence the simple and completely logical answer: nowadays milk is a completely natural product.

Looking at the benefits and harms of dairy products, we cannot leave out lactose intolerance. It is a common disease where a person is unable to consume dairy products. About 75% of the planet's population and up to 25% of Europeans suffer from lactose intolerance.

The body of these people is genetically not programmed to produce a sufficient amount of lactase - a specific enzyme for breaking down milk sugar. After the use of dairy products, abdominal swelling, discomfort and pain, nausea, diarrhea are observed in such people. Some patients can use fermented milk products (yoghurt, yogurt) and even fatty cow's butter. The problem of milk processing is the least common in Europe and the Slavic peoples. Most often - the Hindus, the Chinese and some peoples of Africa.

Can fatty dairy products lead to a heart attack?

According to today's ideas, fatty dairy products like cottage cheese, whole milk and butter, cheese, etc. can cause the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

Despite doctors' warnings, this theory has never been proven with real population studies. And in this regard, milk has its opponents and supporters.

Some say that this product clogs the arteries and is almost the "white death". Others refute all these concerns and state that dairy products are more protective of the arteries.

Meta-analysis of large projects found no relationship between the use of fatty dairy products and the development of ischemic heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis. There is evidence that organic milk obtained from free-range cows is safer for the cardiovascular system. A number of studies blame heart attacks not on cholesterol, but on synthetic additives fed to cattle.

Milk prevents some diseases and vice versa - predisposes to others. Dairy can be both the cause and the cure.

• Obesity. If you are a lover of whole milk, fatty cottage cheese and cream, don't be surprised by the "bacon" on your thighs. Any fat is a sea of excess calories that must be spent very intensively. Modern man with his sedentary lifestyle better refrain from such temptations on the country menu. Research shows that whole milk drinkers have a higher concentration of vitamin D in their blood. On the other hand, however, they more often suffer from obesity.

• Diabetes mellitus type II. Although it is better for diabetics to avoid condensed milk, there are no reasons to give up natural dairy products - ayran, cheese, yellow cheese, yogurt, yogurt, butter, cottage cheese, cream. Collaborators from the Center for the Study of Diabetes at the University of Lunden in Sweden came to the conclusion that the daily use of milk by he althy people reduces the incidence of diabetes mellitus type II by as much as 23%. Their Harvard colleagues report that teenagers who love and consume milk and dairy products are 43% less likely to develop type II diabetes.

• Prostate cancer. Some research has linked the consumption of milk and dairy products to an increased risk of prostate cancer. This may be due to the high calcium content of milk and milk products. The "British Journal of Cancer" reports that the theory of the relationship between calcium and prostate cancer is outdated and untenable.

• Parkinson's disease Harvard researcher Catherine Hughes found that three glasses of skim milk a day increased the risk of Parkinson's disease in the elderly. However, the authors cannot explain the mysterious link between milk and neurodegeneration. "The results show a modest increase in morbidity in lovers of milk and milk products, in particular skim milk. It would not be superfluous and it is desirable that these products be limited," said Dr. Hughes.

• Depression. According to the Japanese scientist Ryoshi Nagatomi from Tohoku University, in case of depression, you should replace full-fat milk with skim milk. From one to four servings of such a product positively affects the condition of patients, shortens the need for antidepressants and improves their quality of life.

• Memory, thinking, brain he alth. In 2012, an interesting comparison of the memory and thinking of people consuming different amounts of milk and milk products was conducted. Milk lovers won. This product contains the so-called beta-casein protein type A2. It has pronounced antioxidant properties and protects against neurodegenerative processes, inflammation of the pancreas and several types of cancer.

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