The Case for Raw Milk.
We can buy raw eggs, raw meat, and raw fish from the local supermarket. But not raw milk.
Many states have awakened to the benefits of raw milk and have opened the market to sell raw dairy. About half of us can still not legally drink raw milk unless we have a dairy animal.
The reason I wanted a cow in the first place was for raw milk.
Raw milk is a superfood. It is unprocessed and filled with vitamins, probiotics, and fatty acids that can fight cancer AND make you skinny.
It’s true.
Raw milk is so good for you.
BUT WAIT
Is it safe to drink raw milk?
The short answer is, “yes.” But be smart about it.
You are far more likely to die from eating deli meat than drinking raw milk.
Consider this study on raw milk from the Center for Food Safety:
A government document published in 2003 indicates that on a per-serving basis, deli meats are ten times more likely to cause food-borne illness than raw milk (Listeria Monocytogenes Risk Assessment: Interpretive Summary, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Sept. 2003, page 17). (See also the full 572-page document on which the interpretive summary is based, here: Quantitative Assessment of Relative Risk to Public Health From Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Among Selected Categories of Ready-to-Eat Foods.)
It is also arguable that raw milk is safer than pasteurized milk:
On a per-serving basis, raw milk is as safe or several times safer than pasteurized milk. See our press release on these findings, Government Data Proves Raw Milk Safe, and this Safety of Raw Milk Summary PowerPoint Presentation. – source
Anytime you consume raw foods, you are taking a risk – but every time you eat from a buffet you are taking a risk also.
The truth is that you are far less likely to get sick from raw milk than you have (most likely) been led to believe. It is not as risky as eating sandwich meat and arguably safer than drinking pasteurized milk.
So, if you can find a source for raw milk near you,
I urge you to do a couple of things:
- Make sure you are comfortable with producers. If it is a commercial operation, you can rest soundly that they are being monitored closely and their milking is handled properly. If it is a small operation you can talk to the farmer. Inquire about the milking facility, how the animals are milked and how the milk is handled. You can even ask about cleaning processes.
- Take a tour of their place if it is allowed. Some farms even allow purchasing a “cow share” and you can be involved in the process of caring for the animal if you wish.
- Meet the cows. If you can visit the animals, it would be a fun trip and insightful as well. Do they have a nice pasture? Are they kept in stalls? Do the cows look alert, happy and clean?
If you are comfortable with the operation, try some milk.
We participated in milk-sharing programs before purchasing a cow. We spend about 9 months trying raw goats milk and another 9 months consuming raw cow’s milk before making the plunge into cow ownership.
When we made the decision, we had experimented with the milk. Enjoyed the milk. And even milked the animals ourselves. We wanted to know what we were getting ourselves into and be sure this was a life change we were ready for, not just a passing whim.
WHY RAW?
There are many reasons to consume raw dairy.
First and foremost is health. I am getting older and I know that my body needs ample nutrition in order to remain healthy. Raw milk is a super-food that I want in my diet.
The process of pasteurization not only kills the suspected “bad” bacteria, but it also kills the beneficial bacteria. And quite frankly, if the cows are healthy… the facility is clean… and the milk is properly handled, the “evil” bacteria that our food safety advocates are so concerned about shouldn’t be a problem.
We have been consuming raw milk in our home since 2009 and we have never had an issue.
BENEFITS OF RAW MILK
NUTRITION
Raw milk is super nutritious, it contains protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E. vitamin C, and B-complex vitamins. These vitamins are not synthesized or made in a lab. They are not added or enriched. They are naturally found in raw milk and available.
ALIVE
Raw milk is a living food, filled with beneficial bacteria, enzymes, natural vitamins. The probiotics found in raw milk keep your gut healthy and help you fight illnesses.
CLA
Raw milk (from grass-fed cows) is rich in CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid). This trans-fatty acid is a remarkably good fat. Research indicates that CLA can fight cancer (specifically breast, intestinal and bone cancers), hypertension and obesity.
During the 1920s raw milk was used to treat diseases including TB, edema, heart failure, high blood pressure, prostate disease, urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic fatigue, and obesity.
Today other countries still successfully use raw milk as medicine in hospitals (like Germany).
FAT BURNING
If you pay any attention to diet trends and health news, you have probably heard that CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is the leader in weight loss right now. In addition to fighting cancer, CLA is known for burning fat and building muscle. More here.
Unfortunately, the CLA pills sold at the store are made in labs, not pastures, and they do not hold the same power.
Fortunately, naturally sourced CLA is easy to get into your body. The best sources for natural CLA are grass-fed beef, butter, and full-fat milk.
Just slather some raw butter on your sweet potato or whole grain bread or drink a cold glass of raw milk and you have your CLA!
STRONG BONES
It is true, “Milk does a body good.”
Raw milk prevents tooth decay, increases calcium absorption, it prevents joint stiffness, and helps arthritis pain.
ALLERGY SHOTS
Children who drink raw milk have fewer allergic skin problems and are less likely to have asthma. Just think about it… pastured cows who live in your area are eating the things allergy sufferers are allergic to. They consume weeds, grass, hay, and even the polled floating around the air can be found in the pasture and of course, make its way into the cows diet. When you drink milk from that cow it is like getting a regular allergy shot.
A Peek Behind the Scenes (May 19) – Waiting on a calf
SHOP LOCAL
Drinking raw milk can support local farmers. I know so many small (less than 100 cows) dairies that have closed for business in the past year. There are many factors contributing to the end of the family dairies (Walmart moving into the dairy business, factory farming, increased consumption of non-dairy milk).
One thing you can do to support your local farmer is to buy raw dairy. Before I had a milk cow I found a supplier who I could get a milk-share from. I paid $6 per gallon, but I think it was worth every penny.
I consider store-bought dairy products junk food – unless you are buying raw, organic dairy there is just not much in there that is good.
Few things in this world are as wonderful as fresh, raw butter, whipped cream, ice cream, heavy cream, buttermilk, and a tall glass of cold (raw) milk with a plate of warm cookies.
You too can enjoy the goodness of raw dairy products. Not only will they be delicious, but they will also make you healthier.
XO,
Candi
