How, objectively, are any of these examples any more or less unappetizing than drinking milk? It’s all a frame of mind. Another major myth here is that we’re the only species that seeks out milk beyond our infancy. Both cats and dogs will drink cow’s milk if it’s made available to them. I have even heard stories of wild predators, such as bears and coyotes, killing cows and ripping open their udders to consume the milk, but leaving the rest of the carcass untouched. I don’t know how true that is, but it makes sense that animals know that there is more than just meat to be gained from their prey. What is Lactose Intolerance?However, plant-based activists often claim that what makes dairy so unnatural for us is many consumer’s inability to digest it. Lactose intolerance occurs when a person’s levels of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, decrease as they age. Lactose itself isn’t harmful—it’s a valuable source of energy—but, when our digestive system is not able to break it down into its component parts, it causes severe stomach discomfort. Vegans are not wrong that this is a chronic problem. After infancy, about 65% of the world’s population have reduced ability to break down lactose. That’s an average, but it varies widely depending on ethnicity. Genetic Factors
A clue to why some ethnicities are more vulnerable than others may be found in how certain climates and civilization advances since the time the gene first popped up contributed to how frequently certain groups drank milk. In ecosystems that lend themselves to cattle ranching, and in the presence of refrigeration technology, lactase persistence (meaning, the lactase enzyme remained in the people’s digestive system beyond infancy) became more frequent. This is contrary to popular vegan phrases like, “meat eaters are on the wrong side of history,” or “plant-based is the future.” They seem to suggest that we will somehow evolve past our need for animal products. However, it seems that we have actually evolved to be able to consume more animal products over the past several centuries (which is a blink of an eye in evolutionary time!). Accordingly, even though social media magnifies plant-based rhetoric, making it seem widespread, consumption of all animal products has increased steadily over the past two decades all around the world. To get back to the topic, regardless of ancestry, anyone who struggles with lactose intolerance will tell you that it’s a major problem that impacts daily decisions and can be extremely painful when mishandled. So does that justify going dairy free? Not according to research. Scientific EvidenceBecause lactose intolerance is unfortunately so common, it has been well-researched. Out of this, a wealth of evidence tracing the association between avoidance of dairy as a result of lactose intolerance and weaker bones has emerged. Here is some of it: “One of the main concerns of health for individuals who are lactose intolerant is not getting enough essential nutrients due to complete avoidance of dairy foods…. The avoidance of all dairy products in patients with lactose intolerance is no longer recommended. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate up to 12–15 grams of lactose per day…. People with lactose intolerance should be encouraged to restrict rather than avoid lactose with the goal of including some dairy foods in the diet and to benefit from associated nutrients and their higher bioavailability…. Plant-based dairy substitutes, when consumed as main beverages, can have major health implications especially for young children.” Szilagyi, Andrew, and Norma Ishayek. “Lactose Intolerance, Dairy Avoidance, and Treatment Options.” Nutrients, vol. 10, no. 12, 2018, p. 1994., doi:10.3390/nu10121994.
“People with lactose intolerance should be encouraged to gradually increase their intake of milk—this causes changes in the intestine that permit higher milk intake. Milk is the main source of calcium in predominantly vegetarian communities, so ingestion of milk is important to avoid the increased risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and long bone fractures.” “Lactose Intolerance.” BMJ, vol. 334, no. 7608, June 2007, pp. 1331–1332., doi:10.1136/bmj.39252.524375.80. Living with Lactose IntoleranceThere are a lot of resources for those living with decreased lactase. The research quoted above suggests that consuming smaller amounts of dairy over frequent intervals will provide the recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D while avoiding digestive discomfort. Yogurt and cheese production ferments the dairy, breaking down most of the lactose before the product gets to the consumer, allowing those with sensitivities to have fewer, or often no, issues. Some milks have been processed to contain low or no lactose, removing the problem entirely. There are also over-the-counter lactase supplements patients can take that will put the lactase into the gut before consuming milk, amplifying the body’s ability to digest the sugar. Milk AllergiesMany will try to frame lactose intolerance as a “milk allergy,” but these are not the same thing. In the case of an allergy, the immune system responds to the proteins in milk as if they’re pathogens and attacks the body to try to kill the invaders. This can cause symptoms similar to other types of allergies, such as rashes, shortness of breath, or fainting. 2% of young children and infants have a milk allergy. This is very different from lactose intolerance, which is a reaction to a sugar, and can be managed with specialty products. The recommendation of still consuming milk for lactose intolerance should not carry over to patients with milk allergies. If you or your child are allergic to any product, don’t consume it! In Conclusion
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