Is Milk Healthy?

Some experts say that milk is a health hazard, saying that it’s loaded with cancer causing hormones that the dairy industry doesn’t want you to know about. Others say that it’s the most nutritious food you can find. Who’s correct?

Does Milk Build Muscle?

Yes - definitely. 80 percent of the protein in milk is whey protein, the other 20 percent of the protein is casein - both are high quality proteins. Whey protein is broken down quickly by your body into amino acids, which is great after a workout. The casein protein is digested much slower, which keeps your muscles supplied with a steady, smaller supply for that time between meals or when your sleeping. Overall, milk is a great combination of muscle-building protein!

Does the hormones that dairy cows are given affect your health?

In 1993, the FDA approved the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) - which makes the cow produce more milk at less cost to the dairy farmer. But rBGH also increases the milk’s concentration of IGF - a hormone that has been linked to cancer. But here’s the deal. When you drink milk, your stomach acid destroys these hormones, and passes the waste out of your system. So, unless you inject milk into your veins, milk is healthy.

Skim Milk or Whole Milk?

It depends on what you think tastes better. Although whole milk does increase your LDL cholesterol - you’d have to drink 6 - 8oz glasses to increase your LDL by just 6 points! And, funny thing is - whole milk during testing also DECREASED triglycerides by 22%! And, whether you drink whole or skim milk - British researchers found that drinking milk lowers the likelihood of heard attach and stroke. (One thing, though - if you’re looking to gain muscle - drink whole milk. Scientists at the University of Texas medical branch at Galveston found that drinking whole milk after lifting weights boosted muscle protein synthesis 2.8 times more than skim milk did!)