Did you know that no one over the age of 5 years old has lactase in their system? Lactase is an enzyme produced by the small intestines of young children necessary to digest dairy products.
An abundance of dairy products are known to promote cancer, allergies, and autoimmune diseases, not to mention that it's hard on your hormones.
There is not a good scientific reason that can back up why we consume milk products. Instead look to cruciferous vegetables, like kale, broccoli and spinach; sardines, and white beans such as navy and cannellini; almonds, salmon, and chia seeds which are all excellent sources of calcium.
And? These foods provide the benefits without any of the negative effects on our health that dairy delivers. Probiotics hang out in a variety of non dairy foods including sauerkraut, pickles, and Kombucha.
Dairy is terrible if you are trying to balance your hormones, because protein from dairy can be acidifying which lowers your ability to eliminate excess hormones. Diets high in saturated fat (like that found in cheese or ice cream) have higher levels of oestrogens which can promote hormone related cancers, like breast, uterine, or ovarian. Hormones that are out of balance may also be affecting your fertility.
Dairy is not an essential food group and it likely will be harmful for most people. Be watchful of products that have caseinate (the protein found in milk) added, like in hot dogs or bologna where they fail to identify dairy as an ingredient.
