Living Harmlessly

 I have recently begun to wonder about the connection between cows milk and strong bones. For example, countries that consume more animal protein seem to need more calcium (based on their government’s recommendeddaily amounts) … 

Consider this quote from: http://www.indoindians.com/food/soy.htm

“Let’s compare 100-gram portions (3.5 ounces) of soymilk vs. cow’s milk: 

Cow’s milk has 61 calories. Soymilk has 33 calories.

Cow’s milk contains 3.34 grams of fat. Soymilk contains 1.91 grams of fat. 

Cow’s milk has 14 milligrams of cholesterol and no dietary fiber. Soymilk contains 1.3 grams of fiber and has zero cholesterol. 

Cow’s milk contains a full range of amino acids. Soymilk also contains a full range of amino acids. Both contain plenty of protein. Cow’s milk actually has one- half gram more protein than the 100-gram portion of soymilk. 

As for the nine essential amino acids in protein necessary for sustaining life, cow’s milk and soy milk contain nearly identical amounts, but cow’s milk does win this one by a whisker, containing a mere one-fifth of a gram more essential amino acids than the soy. That may be a hollow victory for milk lovers because one of the nine essential amino acids is methionine. Cow’s milk contains more than twice as much methionine as does soymilk. The center atom of methionine is sulfur. Too much animal protein creates an acid condition in the blood which the body must neutralize by taking calcium from the bones. . Nations eating the most animal protein have the highest rates of osteoporosis. 

Soymilk contains greater amounts of other amino acids including arginine, alanine, aspartic acid, and glycine. Arginine slows the growth of cancers by strengthening the immune system. Alanine aids in the metabolism of sugars. Aspartic acid increases stamina and plays a vital role in metabolism, acting as an anti-oxidant. Glycine is necessary for brain and nervous system functioning and muscle/energy metabolism. 

When milk is pasteurized, Vitamins A, C, and D are destroyed. The same can be said for those vitamins when soymilk is manufactured. 

Soymilk does contain more than four times the amount of thiamin (Vitamin B-1) and nearly twice the amount of niacin (Vitamin B-3) as does cow’s milk. Soymilk also contains more magnesium, copper, and manganese than does cow’s milk. 

In order to absorb calcium, one needs magnesium. Copper also aids in bone formation. One early sign of osteoporosis is a deficiency in copper. Soymilk contains twelve times the amount of copper as does cow’s milk. 

Soymilk also contains 42 times the amount of manganese as does cow’s milk. Manganese is also needed for bone formation. People with anemia rely upon manganese for iron storage. Trace amounts of manganese are essential for neural transmissions, protein metabolism, and many other body functions. “

Well then … isn’t that interesting … here is a quote from http://www.warriorfitnessworld.com/images/soy%20milk%20vs%20cow%20milk.PNG based on the book “The New Wellnes Revolution”:

“

• Milk causes osteoporosis, despite advertising that states milk prevents it.
• Milk contains hormones and carries infectious diseases.  A normal cow produces about 10 pounds of milk per day.  However, dairy cows produce up to 100 pounds of milk per day because of the massive amount of specialized hormones such as bovine growth hormone (BGH) given to the cows.   This makes the cows udders so large that they drag on the floor which creates frequent infections and the need for constant antibiotics. 
• The USDA allows cow milk for consumption to have 1 to 1.5 million white blood cells (which is pus!) per milliliter.
• The growth hormones given to cows are a major cause of breast cancer in adults because the hormones act the same as it does in the cows.  The hormones cause malignant tumors in the human breast to grow just like in the cows.
• Despite the fact that numerous consumer groups have asked the FDA to ban BGH and other hormones, the FDA continues to allow the use because of powerful ADA lobbyists in Washington DC.
• Cows contaminate the environment.  For every 100 pounds of cow milk produced per day, a cow produces 120 pounds per day of waste which is equivalent to the waste of 24 people.
• Dairy products are the major cause to 65 percent of the American population being overweight.
• Milk accounts for 40 percent of the 4 pound of food an average American eats daily; however, it contains no fiber, and is filled with saturated fat and cholesterol.
• A glass of milk is 49 percent fat and the lower fat milk (like 2% milk) is only slightly lower in fat.

The book recommends switching to soy milk which has the following benefits: 

• Soy is the best low fat source of carbohydrates, fibers, protein, vitamins and minerals.
• Soy can help to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer.
• Soy is high in calcium and does not contain casein proteins which cause calcium loss in bones.
• Soy reduces the frequency and intensity of hot flashes in menopausal women which is similar to estrogen-replacement therapy.
• The American Heart Association endorses soy to help consumers lower their (bad) cholesterol and reduce risk for heart disease.
• Soy contains more protein per weight than beef, fish, and chicken with no cholesterol and very little saturated fat.
• Of the 9 basic amino acids needed for the body that can’t be produced by the body, soy provides all 9, however, without the hormones, saturated fat and calories (as with cow milk and meat products).”