A few months ago, after quite a bit of reading up on the subject, I made the switch to raw milk. That’s right! Raw Milk. For those who are not familiar: Raw milk is un-pasteurized, un-homogenized milk that comes directly from the cow. This is where most people turn up their nose and make a ‘eww gross’ type of expression. However, most people do not know the history behind pasteurized, homogenized milk; and don’t know that in fact it ruins the milk and does not protect us from bacteria.

Pasteurization came about in the 1920′s to ‘protect’ us from TB, undulant fever, and infant diarrhea. But the spread of these diseases was mostly due to poor animal nutrition and unsanitary production methods. Modern milk farms now have stainless steel tanks and milking machines, better refrigeration methods and much more advanced inspection and testing methods to check for harmful bacteria.

Pasteurization destroys enzymes, decreases vitamin content (C, B12, B6), harms the calcium making it mainly insoluble, and kills beneficial bacteria. And pasteurization does not always kill the bacteria for Johne’s disease suspected of causing Crohn’s disease in humans with which most confinement cows are infected. Also, pasteurization kills the bacteria, but does not clean it. So, you are still drinking the ‘dead’ parts of the bacteria. This can trigger asthma, and inflammation and triggers histamine release in your body.

Clean, raw milk comes from certified, clean, healthy cows. Cows that are fed properly and allowed to roam. Raw milk contains natural probiotics and beneficial bacteria to keep our digestion healthy. Raw milk has butterfat which contains vitamins A and D and is needed to assimilate calcium and protein. Butterfat also has good fatty acids that protect against disease, stimulate the immune system, prevent intestinal distress and has strong anticancer properties.

I am sure that I will be talking more about this topic. But, for now, I strongly urge you to watch this video (about 10 mins):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHcyAH0rOPE