Milk
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Last updated on: 8/25/2011 9:54:47 AM PST

Is drinking milk healthy for humans?

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PRO (yes) Comments (48)

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  • +88 +139 -51 Noe Jordan Irizarry Sep. 28, 2011
    "I like milk."
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    • +13 +13 0 Stevie Jan. 5, 2012
      "I also like milk ^_^"
    • +2 +3 -1 Bryce Apr. 20, 2012
      "Milk's my favorite beverage"
    • 0 0 0 Joe Apr. 30, 2013
      "how does that make it good for you?"
    • 0 +5 -5 The Liberalist Mar. 1, 2012
      "Consider that what you like can make your children more prone to cervical cancer and breast cancer."
  • +42 +62 -20 Scout Dec. 4, 2012
    "The belief that essential nutrients are bad for us is unnecessarily idiotic. The very point of drinking milk as babies from our mothers is nurturing, and instinct. Tell me, forum, when has natural instinct ever been bad in nature?"
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    • +8 +8 0 Alison Feb. 19, 2013
      "It's not talking about babies drinking breast milk, which is instinct and good. It's talking about drinking cow's milk in adolescence through adulthood which is a weird, new habit we picked up because we are weird creatures who experiment and try new things which aren't necessarily helpful in the long run. It's not instinctual to squeeze milk from a cow's udder and process it and put it into containers and sell it at the grocery store."
    • +2 +2 0 Fishtree Apr. 18, 2013
      "The natural instinct is only for when you are a baby. Most adult mammals lose lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk. When humans began to drink milk past toddler stage we began to evolve the ability to maintain lactose production as we mature. This change is not working properly yet, lactose-intolerance is people who lose their lactase upon "adulthood". I agree that milk is not bad for you, but a disagree that it is completely "natural"."
  • +35 +83 -48 Int'l Dairy Foods Assn. Apr. 27, 2011
    "Milk contains a complete nutrient package of nine essential nutrients. In addition to being an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, it is a good source of vitamin A, protein and potassium. Dairy is doctor recommended. Dairy's role in a healthy diet has long been established by the nutrition and science community. This includes the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, the American Medical Association's Council of Scientific Affairs and many other leading health organizations."
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  • +32 +64 -32 Caleb Aug. 2, 2011
    "Milk has calcium, calcium helps our bones, just because there are flavored milk, doesn't mean that it isnt good for you. It's just flavored milk, it still has calcium."
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    • 0 0 0 Joe Apr. 30, 2013
      "actually milk also has acid in it that raises the pH levels in your body. in order to protect your kidneys and urinary tract your body will pull calcium out of your bones to soak up the acid (calcium is a great acid neutralizer) you then pee out the used calcium. so even if you gain calcium you also loose it. my source is the save our bones foundation."
  • +26 +53 -27 derek Aug. 27, 2011
    "the first argument against drinking milk is flawed because IGF-1 is necessary for growth and muscle repair. it's only a protein. a deficiency can cause dwarfism in humans. human cells even have IFG1R's (insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors)."
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    • 0 +1 -1 Jeff Apr. 16, 2012
      "@derek - Yes you're correct that IGF-1 is necessary and that cells make IGF and have receptors. But the first argument said that those cancers were linked to milk consumption presumably due to INCREASES in IGF-1 consumption. Yes it's a protein. But it's also a hormone. Balance of hormone levels is essential to provide regulated cell growth (and steer away from cancer). Secondly, you don't need to CONSUME IGF for growth! You're body synthesizes it! Nutritional causes of dwarfism is often due to Calcium, Vit D, Iron, and Zinc deficiencies."
  • +17 +41 -24 chris Jan. 7, 2012
    "milk is awesome"
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  • +16 +49 -33 Randy Jul. 29, 2011
    "I think that if flavored milk is the only way you can get the child to drink some milk. Why not offer it to them at school. I know that most families do not keep it at home."
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  • +15 +36 -21 Milk? Dec. 11, 2011
    "I think that in general, milk is a healthy thing, especially for growing children. However, I agree that too much milk, especially whole milk, can lead to a less healthy diet. Two percent milk is a good source of calcium while not being overly fatty."
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  • +15 +38 -23 Bob Jul. 23, 2011
    "Milk producing cows in the United States are exposed to a variety of hormone therapy and innoculants. It seems all of these practices are to keep livestock from dying and not to harm humans. It is unfortunate that some of the chemicals used in these treatments make it to the final product.

    I am sure dairy farmers are not trying to harm anyone by using the methods passed down from generation to generation. It just so happens that this generation of Dairy farmers is surrounded by technology and information sharing. The product they produce is being scrutinzed and tested more than ever.
    Ultimately, a better product will be produced. Americans will not stop drinking milk and the product will be corrected as technology permits. Some of the problems have been identified , now its time to work on a solution."
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    • 0 0 0 Joe Apr. 30, 2013
      "people have not always drank milk, and people have not always put chemicals into cows to get them to produce more milk or change what they produce, they produce milk for their children not for us."
  • +13 +37 -24 AgoodBM Sep. 12, 2011
    "Look at the uses of "may cause", "can be" etc... in the con side. It would seem that the con side uses a much more passive voice in the arguments, nothing conclusive, just a possible outcome. Where as the Pro side is an active voice and states facts. It makes is look like PETA, and like minded agencies are twisting things around to force others to comply with their agenda. The Dairy folks have an agenda as well, however it seems that, historically, some societies have been drinking milk for a very long time, and have become some of the strongest in the world. And others haven't, just an interesting point. Drink milk, it does a body good, and if you get the farts or poops, maybe you shouldn't. Duh."
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  • +11 +25 -14 Natalie B. Jan. 13, 2012
    "Milk is healty it's just that you have to be careful about your potions. Too much isn't very good, but an average amount is perfectly fine. You need calcium."
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    • 0 0 0 Fishtree Apr. 18, 2013
      "I will make sure to be careful with my magical potions. Label the shrinking potion, do not use the enlarging potion is a small room. So you can make a healty potion with milk? I had no idea! Just calcium can give you a healty healing potion."
  • +11 +31 -20 Cydney K. Nov. 29, 2011
    "Yes, because it promotes strong bones, and teeth, becauseof the calcium, the vitamins, and everything."
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    • 0 0 0 Tracy Mar. 3, 2013
      "The studies on milk's bone benefits are equivocal, at best. Just search PubMed and look at what is actually reported there. The strong bones story is a myth."
  • +6 +26 -20 Mike B Dec. 31, 2011
    "ok, lets look at all the food that has milk or milk products. cheese pizza (actually all pizza that has cheese), milk shakes, ice cream. take a look at this site

    http://dairyfreecooking.about.com/od/dairyfreebasics/tp/HiddenDairyProducts.htm

    THEY ALL HAVE MILK PRODUCTS (dairy)"
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  • +5 +24 -19 Yar Sep. 29, 2011
    "The Maasai people of eastern Africa live off of a diet that consists mostly of Milk, Cow's Blood and Beef. In fact, on average, most people consume about 200-500 ml of milk daily, whereas the Maasai drink about 2-3 liters per day. They not only live longer than us, but none of them have high blood pressure, they have very low levels of cholesterol and absolutely no obesity. On top of all that, they rarely get sick."
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    • +1 +1 0 wade Oct. 19, 2011
      "You are correct on this, but the milk that they drink is "raw" milk not processed. I do not touch any dairy, i do not get sick, not overweight and have zero health issues, my youngest son does not either, very healthy, oldest does at his mom's and suffers horrible acne, that clears up when he is with me."
    • -1 +1 -2 Audrey Nov. 18, 2011
      "Please check your facts. The life expectancy for the Maasai male is 43 years, while in the U.S. it is 77."
  • +3 +18 -15 the voice Apr. 10, 2012
    "So I drink milk like every day and im healthy as can be so......
    yeah"
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  • +2 +2 0 Jason Mar. 23, 2013
    "The argument that humans are the only animal to drink milk as adults is irrelevant. Humans are also the only animal to cook it's food, walk upright, drive cars, and use the internet. If we are going to base consumption of milk on whether or not other animals do it, then we might as well start cleaning ourselves with our tongues like so many other animals do."
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  • +2 +18 -16 Bonquiqui Oct. 29, 2012
    "I LOVE MILK AND MEAT!!! GO COWS"
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  • +2 +15 -13 Donald Whitbeck Jan. 24, 2012
    "I am pro for milk because my dad drank TONS of milk in high school, and he was very strong and healthy. I drink two to three glasses of milk a day and i have no problems and am a strong boy"
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  • +2 +24 -22 Serita Carter Oct. 13, 2011
    "I think milk is healthly because it has all types of vitamins , and milk is one of the most popular beverages in the united sates. we have been told tha milk does our body good. so I agree with the pro, and disagree with the con"
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  • +1 +10 -9 Dawne Oct. 16, 2012
    "My great grandfather said drinking a couple ounces of fresh raw buttermilk per day kept him healthy. He was 103 when he passed away."
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  • +1 +21 -20 Seth Oct. 11, 2011
    "The dairy industry in general is one of the most thriving industries in America. Milk is a good healthy source of vitamins and minerals. Also, drinking milk supports production agriculture and if people stop drinking milk, it would put a lot of people out of a job. I am a dairy farmer and I drink unpasteurized raw milk everyday. I make sure that my cows are in the best of health so they can produce a healthy, high quality product. To all of you fruit cake liberal hippies that think milk is bad and we treat our cows bad, do some research on your arguments before you start arguing."
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    • +3 +3 0 Kristen Feb. 13, 2012
      "My mother works for a wonderful dairy farm, and I agree with most of your points here. But I must say that your credibility drops considerably when you begin name-calling. Just because someone disagrees with you does not make them a "fruit cake"."
  • +1 +31 -30 alexis swizdor May. 18, 2011
    "Drinking milk is very healthy for the human because we get calcium, minerals, and a bunch of other things that are healthy for our human systems. I just think that we should allow infants to be breastfed because it is healthier that drinking someone else's milk, and also, it can be less expensive, because it's right there foryou to use at any time!!! :)"
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    • +11 +13 -2 Logan May. 19, 2011
      "Cow's milk was meant for cows, not humans. It may have calcium but our body can't use it without Magnesium, which cow's milk has little of. 87% of milk is water, the rest of it is fat and protien. When milk is prepared to be sold it is heated to around 162F for 15 seconds. My mom, at least, taught me water was clean after being boiled at 212F for awhile before it bacteria-free. No wonder milk spoils so easily!"
    • -3 +1 -4 Logan's Mom Sep. 12, 2011
      "Well if you were to heat the milk up to 212 degrees, then the water in it would evaporate leaving concentrated milk or evaporated milk. Didnt your mommy teach you water evaporates at 212 degrees."
  • 0 +7 -7 Abby Dec. 19, 2012
    "people have been drinking milk from cows since biblical times, if is so bad for humans, wouldn't we have stoped drinking it by now?"
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  • -1 0 -1 Tim Miller Apr. 25, 2013
    "I don't know if it is but I drink at least 5 gals. or more a week and I'm still alive.."
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  • -1 0 -1 martin Apr. 23, 2013
    "all they give us at schools to drink is milk.."
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    • 0 0 0 joe Apr. 30, 2013
      "i drink water"
  • -1 +9 -10 Kyle Apr. 23, 2012
    "I counted 4 PhD's on the "Pro" comments, none on the "Con" side. Does the big bad Milk industry have an influence on who receives a PhD in this country? Or are the doctors who think Milk is bad for you a bunch of quacks, basing their claims on pseudo science? This crap about the milk industry trying to suppress "the facts" is about as dumb as it gets, this is not how the scientific community operates. The non dairy, gluten free fad folks are the same people who were doing the atkins diet a few years back... jumping on the next fad diet. You want to be healthy? Its called moderation"
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  • -2 +6 -8 pablo estrada Feb. 26, 2013
    "heck yea.who doesnt like milk?"
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  • -2 +10 -12 Michael Tran May. 31, 2012
    "People are so paranoid. Fact is everybody is going to die no matter what you eat or drink so who cares if its linked to cancer? It's not just milk its our way of life and our shitty diets. The air quality is so shitty that it is probably linked to cancer also, don't get me started on tap water. I'm a runner and I run 72 miles a week now I'm been losing weight like crazy (muscle mass) from the current "healthy" diet I eat now. All I care about is maintaining muscle mass and bone health. I don't give a *** about fat I need fat. We are made up of trillions of cells. Cells have cell membranes. Cell membranes are made up of lipids (fats). My opinion is that people are just afraid of change. That the ones who are telling us to fear something humanity has evolved to nurture and cultivate are the ones who would listen to Adolf Hitler back in the 1930s or the ones who point fingers during the Red Scare or the ones telling us that cutting education funds such as financial aid can help allow our society to prosper. Of course what I've been typing is biased as eff and I don't care. It is time that humans have evolved with a big evolutionary leap, instead of being chased to death by lions or scavenging for dead rotting we have gotten smarter."
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  • -2 +10 -12 Philosophy May. 21, 2012
    "Milk is Healthy for you're bones, and body, you don't have to drink milk from the market, you can drink organic milk, without the Gmo, and from expeirence its health benefitical, and to try it out you're self. Everybody acts to food, liquids, etc. differently so its what we been drinking since back in 1800's its no different today, its what you want to put in your body, and for me milk is good for my health, overall bones, and growth. organic is the way to go."
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  • -3 +12 -15 Sara Apr. 27, 2012
    "If you don't like milk/think milk will kill you/have any other problem with it, then guess what? YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRINK IT! Some people, however, like milk a lot, and either don't actually believe the hype about how bad it is or don't care."
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  • -3 +10 -13 Rebekah Ribbens Mar. 17, 2012
    "Milk is very healthy for humans. As with anything else, if it is consumed in excessive amounts then it could create some problems, but milk is a wonderful source of calcium. If someone is worried about possible fats in the milk, they should drink skim milk. Children need the healthy fats in milk to develop their brains, especially at a young age, and the proteins provided in milk are not as easily found elsewhere. Also, if the concern is that a child will become overweight due to drinking too much milk, it is almost certainly because of other poor choices of diet, not because of the milk itself. It has been tested and confirmed that children who drink soda in place of milk are at a much higher risk of becoming obese, but that those who drink milk have higher calcium and stronger bones. Another point to observe is that milk provides about 13% of the daily value of Vitamin B12, which is an essential vitamin that carries oxygen to the muscles. This is especially important to remember when considering exercising and physical labor. Whether doing aerobic workouts (such as biking and running) or pushing a wheelbarrow of cement for a construction job, oxygen and strong muscles are needed, and milk can provide the necessary nutrients."
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  • -3 +14 -17 Homos Ectual Feb. 21, 2012
    "milk makes me happy.
    im not fat....."
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  • -3 +11 -14 Curtis Feb. 16, 2012
    "Milk is benificial, it gives me the calcium I need. Yes, you need to go out in the sun and asorb that Vitamin D, so the calcium works."
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  • -3 +22 -25 ace Sep. 26, 2011
    "milk will help you get most of vitamins and minerals because of the milk"
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  • -4 +4 -8 Hal Burba Jan. 13, 2013
    "Once milk has been subjected to intense heat it is ruined and cannot be fixed, nor is it ever again a good source of vitamin D. The chances of getting enough viamin D from other foods and or sunlight conversion are highly unlikely. Using nondairy milk substitutes like, soy, almond, or coconut milk will expose you to carrageenan poisoning, as will taking vitamin D supplements. Some small independant dairies will provide raw unpastuerized milk. A growing number of small independant milk producers are using a slower low-heat pastuerization process that protects the nutrients from destruction. These last two options are the best way to insure we get enough vitamin D without causing a dysfunctional digestive system from carrageenan poisoining"
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  • -4 +5 -9 Future Scientist! :) Nov. 30, 2012
    "I noticed a lot of Con arguments saying that cows don't drink milk as adults, so why should we?
    Well, keep in mind that while milk has many essential nutrients, such as Calcium, it doesn't have all of them, such as Iron, so at a point you do have to start eating other foods.
    Even still, if milk is the sole thing that babies and calves live on when they are so young and underdeveloped, milk really cannot be all that bad.
    I agree that milk can be harmful if consumed excessively, but I see no harm in drinking it occasionally.
    Besides, there are going to be benefits and drawbacks to EVERYTHING we can possibly eat. There may be more or less depending on the substance, but you could argue that ANYTHING is good or bad."
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  • -4 +5 -9 LeRawr Nov. 13, 2012
    "I usually enjoy a nice glass of milk about an hour or so after a work out. Personally I haven't witnessed any adverse effects, and I'm in pretty decent shape if I say so myself. In another vein of things, its a nice relaxing drink to have which serves to keep the nerves healthy, as well as stabilizing blood sugar."
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  • -4 +4 -8 Amelia Nov. 11, 2012
    "I grew up drinking milk and was always healthy. Then I got IBS and was told to go off milk and wheat. I did that for over 30 years and felt ill and weak most of them. A few months ago I was convinced to try probiotics to heal my gut. Liking to do things myself and naturally I decided to make probiotic rich fermented foods and buy some Kefir grains.
    Well! A miracle has happened. I am able to drink milk without a problem and my extremely dry and thin skin has turned juiicy again. I have never felt more healthy. It is obviously something in the milk like calcium or fat that I was not getting in other ways or by supplementing.
    I never understnd the bog excitement about what we may or may not eat. We can kill plants but not animals?
    I believe that we can eat whatever we want but its the chemical toxins in our food nowadays that affect us."
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  • -4 +11 -15 Daniel Apr. 23, 2012
    "Milk, juice, and water. THree important sources of nutrition that come directly from the Earth."
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  • -4 +10 -14 Bryce Apr. 20, 2012
    "I've been drinking milk my ENTIRE life, and I don't have any disease, and i'm not obese."
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  • -4 +15 -19 Jonny D R. Feb. 27, 2012
    "Milk, is just the best beverage in the world."
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  • -4 +14 -18 Corey Feb. 16, 2012
    "Are you f*%#ing kidding me! Of course milk is good for you how could it be bad. Who in their right mind would think milk is bad for you. What the hell people."
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  • -5 +9 -14 ani May. 9, 2012
    "i thought milk was good for you we as people have drank milk since birth and all of a sudden its a bad thing milk is given at school if it were bad it would have been banned"
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  • -6 +6 -12 Deliyah Dec. 5, 2012
    "It is good cause it has vitamins"
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  • -7 +7 -14 Shyra Mar. 22, 2012
    "Milk, like everything else, is healthy as long as one does not consume it in excess amounts. It's called a BALANCED diet for a reason."
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  • -7 +9 -16 lanty jones Mar. 8, 2012
    "i think milk is good for us bc i have never broke a bone in my whole life and i love milk i have 4 people at home and we drink 4 things of milk!! milk is goin to make u strong!!! dont stop drinking milk"
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  • -10 +7 -17 Linda Jul. 22, 2012
    "I drink 3.5 l milk a day and love it. I think that doesn't harm you and enjoy the differences between producers."
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  • -20 +26 -46 Jimbob Jun. 10, 2011
    "People people it's milk for pete sake! I mean we eat cheese and steak all the time and those things are from cows too, so why would it make a difference?"
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    • 0 0 0 Joe Apr. 30, 2013
      "cheese is still bad for you, but steak is different because mother cows don't feed their calves steak. Carnivores and omnivores (like us) eat it. We are the only mammals to drink a different mammal's milk. and we don't need it after we stop drinking our own"

CON (no) Comments (29)


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  • +17 +49 -32 Just a thought Apr. 17, 2012
    "I feel as though as though people have been forcing the idea that milk is good for us...or else. We can get the same nutrient and vitamins eating fruits and vegatbles. People are just to lazy to really think about what people are telling us to eat and just go with the flow. If you think about it where do cows get so much nutrition to produce milk in the first place."
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    • +1 +2 -1 dan Jun. 7, 2012
      "Their diet, but thats because they are ruminants meaning they have microbes in their stomach capable of breaking down plants for nutrition. Humans do not have this capability, and therefore cannot utilize a plant the way cows can."
    • 0 0 0 Response to Dan Apr. 30, 2013
      "Yes we can, we can eat plants and get nutrients from them maybe not from grass but grass isn't the only plant out there. there is nothing natural about drinking milk from cows or any other mammal other than our mothers, which (like all mammals) we don't need to do after we are weaned. what other mammal goes out and drinks another's milk?"
    • -1 0 -1 Deliyah Dec. 5, 2012
      "Yes your write"
  • +11 +43 -32 The Liberalist Mar. 1, 2012
    "No, cow's milk has been shown to have adverse drawbacks in people of all ages.
    1.) Cow's milk has been shown to contain large amounts of both Saturated and Regular Fat. This can be very dangerous to obese people or a person of ANY size.
    2.) Milk is harvested very badly. They inject hormones into the cows so that they produce milk all the time. This leads to a large quantity of the chemical Lactose. This chemical can prove to make people bloat, break out on hives, itch, Have pains in their stomach and sometimes throw up. Studies have also shown that the RBSt hormones can cause strange thing sto happen in young adults. The hormones cause girls to have periods earlier( 7- 9) and to cause puberty a lot earlier
    3.) Milk has been shown to have great potential to carry salmonella in it. Although milk may be pasteurized, it has a short shelf life even when refrigerated causing it to rot a lot faster and make us more prone to catching the bacteria outside the utters of the cow itself.
    So, before you grab another milk carton, be sure to now how they make the product you're about to consume
    :-)"
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    • +1 +2 -1 A DVM Student Apr. 22, 2012
      "Lactose is constant in milk, approximately 4.7% of milk and is the osmotic regulator in milk production (milk is 87% water after all). If a cow makes more milk, she does make a greater quantity of lactose. However, this is diluted back to the 4.7% found in milk because it draws water out with it. Therefore, whether you are drinking milk from a cow that makes 20 lbs or 200 lbs, you are consuming the same amount of lactose because the percent never changes (unless you plan on drinking all of the 200 lb cows milk in one sitting). Anything in excess can be harmful, including the excessive estrogens found in plants. If people are lactose intolerant, they should avoid the sugar. In addition, rbST has been injected directly into humans bloodstream back in the 50's with no adverse results. Thats why rbST has a 'b' in it because it is biologically active in cows and not humans. There have been thousands of studies performed on rbST, and there is no negative results associated with the hormone (which is naturally found in a cows circulation). Early puberty is a function of the increased plane of nutrition America is at, since puberty onset is a function of fatness and energy reserves. Child obesity and lower puberty onset go hand in hand."
    • 0 0 0 Kabir May. 12, 2013
      "1. OK, it's fatty. So? Fat's good, in moderation.
      2. You're right. But.....rBST is barely used in anything anymore. It's bad. If you're worried, just read the product's label to find out.
      3. It is extremely rare that you will get salmonella from drinking milk. It is even more rare that you will then die of salmonella. So..what's your point? That us "milk drinkers" are badasses who live on the wild side? Lol.

      You argument is terribly weak."
    • 0 0 0 Fishtree Apr. 18, 2013
      ""This chemical can prove to make people bloat, break out on hives, itch, Have pains in their stomach and sometimes throw up."
      It's called lactose intolerance. If you are lactose intolerant then you must be an idiot to drink milk.
      meat also can carry salmonella. Don't eat raw meat and don't drink old milk
      Also, "causing it to rot a lot faster"
      a lot faster than what?
      "Studies have also shown that the RBSt hormones can cause strange thing sto happen in young adults. The hormones cause girls to have periods earlier( 7- 9) and to cause puberty a lot earlier"
      where are you finding this information? I have never heard of this. Is it peer reviewed? There are way too many studies which prove weak correlations and use bad methods."
  • +6 +11 -5 sam Mar. 11, 2013
    "would u drink another animals breast milk? Because that is what you almost every day. the United states only one of the country that consumes massive amounts of dairy products. As stated in the book " engine 2 diet " "One reason why Americans have such a high incidence of osteoporosis ( or weakening of the bone ) isn't a lack of dietary calcium but an excess of animal protein, which leaches calcium from the bones. I guess this comes to show that you should never trust what you hear milk is just not good for you. If u love milk and don't care what I say all I ask is that you think about what im going to say. if you can drink another mammals breast milk than how would you feel some one took your breast milk and gave it to lizards."
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  • +5 +10 -5 Tracy Mar. 3, 2013
    "Think about it, which animal continues to drink its mother's milk after a few weeks? Human are the only specie to do so, and from another specie at that. There are many ways to get your nutrition from sources other than milk. I live in a dairy producing country and the researchers here even cite the link between diabetes and A1 casein. So what is the real reason we drink milk other than the dairy industry is a business and has a vested interest in us consuming their products.

    If you must consume dairy, then consume the fermented variants as they will do less damage than plain milk."
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    • 0 0 0 Patrick Mar. 29, 2013
      "So other species do not drink milk. Big deal. I'm looking at my bowl of Clam Chowder. I don't know of any other species that eats that. I'll enjoy my Pizza for dinner tonight. Don't know of any other animal that eats that either. My dog eats her own vomit and feces. I'm sure not taking dietary advice from her.

      The argument that we shouldn't drink milk because nothing else does, does not make sense."
  • +5 +21 -16 Carlos Dec. 1, 2012
    "When we've all been taught to believe in something the way they've taught us, it us uneasy to accept any ideas, or even actual facts, contradicting it. If we think about it, why keep an animal alive just so that we can extract its fluids and consume them ourselves? It simply doesn't make sense. Our dependency on milk is mainly on our first days of life. This is why new mothers have the ability to breast-feed. That is the milk we are supposed to consume. Breast milk does not last forever; so we should not keep consuming milk if we are not meant to, especially cow milk. Yes, milk is healthy: breast milk. And only for a certain amount of time. Thousands of years of evolution have got to be somewhat logical, right?"
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  • +5 +26 -21 Think! Sep. 26, 2012
    "Lets really think about this... Why cows milk? Why milk period? Women produce milk after giving birth to a child, but then milk stops being produced after so long. Cows give birth and then stop producing after so long as well. Cows never need to drink the milk again so why do humans need to contain to consume the cows milk? If its okay for a cow to stop drinking the thing that helped it grow from a 90 lbs. calf to a 1000 lbs. cow... I think it is safe to say humans don't need to be drinking it into adulthood either. Plus after finding out cows have naturally occurring morphine in their milk I'm done with it... I'm allergic to morphine and well that just scares the crap out of me. No wonder I feel crappy all the time because I love cheese and I'm essentially eating morphine as well as a bunch of other pesticides and antibiotics etc. that aren't good for me."
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  • +4 +4 0 Nick Apr. 3, 2013
    "To summarize:
    - There is considerable controversy around milk and the benefits of animal milk based calcium
    - There are no controversies around getting all the nutrition (including calcium) you need from vegetables, fruits and grains
    &
    - There are significant medical studies that show milk is related to health problems
    - There are few to no studies showing a diet very rich in vegetables, fruit & grains as being unhealthy (actually they show health benefits)

    So make your own choice.. risk or no risk.

    For me the answer is simple, when you "Got Milk" don't be surprised when you "Get Problems""
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  • +2 +2 0 Sherry Apr. 14, 2013
    "I can tell ya, I used to live in canada, and the school i went to didn't give us food, we'd bring it from home. I was only 7. Then about a year later, I moved to america, started eating school lunches. That same year, I had developed acne, started getting breasts, and I was only in 3rd grade. It's well known that there is an abundance of hormones put in cows milk. With the effect it had on my and my worsening skin problems (acne and eczema) , it only improved when i cut dairy out of the diet. Nuff said."
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  • +2 +10 -8 karly Feb. 22, 2013
    "you guys aren't understanding the point here. yes milk has calcium but since milk is acidic the calcium is used to neutralize the acidity in your stomach. your bones are also the biggest storage of alkaline material so they give off THEIR CALCIUM AND IRON to keep your pH levels alkaline."
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    • -2 0 -2 Tracy Mar. 3, 2013
      "Karly, while I agree with your view on milk, I have to say the bit about the acid/alkaline balance is voodoo. The body has an extreme means for maintaining pH balance. If your body varies more than a fraction of a pH point, you are sick. The whole acid/alkaline story comes from urine pH which has nothing to do with your systemic pH."
  • +1 +8 -7 Alex Feb. 18, 2013
    "There is no argument against the fact that milk contains high amounts of calcium which is a vitamin know to be beneficial to the human body, what is not often mentioned or recognized is the fact cows milk contains a number of other things such as hormones, pesticides, and pus...Yes there is cow pus is most milk. All of these things are known to do more harm than good. We all can admit that milk is a substance produced for a growing creature to consume. IE: Infant human, Young cow, ect.
    Though calcium is beneficial, is it truly necessary to continue to consume as humans milk from a different species that is meant for an infant of the same species. Most likely not."
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  • 0 +17 -17 Jackie Aug. 3, 2012
    "On the subject of calcium, i've read from other sources that cow milk is acidic because it is an animal protein. In turn the body has to fix this and use calcium from the bones to neutralize the acid. So instead of it giving us a lot of calcium, wouldn't that mean we gain little, if any at all, calcium for our bones?

    I will probably resort to avoiding milk or drinking it in moderation. I've heard almond milk is pretty good. I can get proteins and nutrients elsewhere such as the primary sources - plants...where the cows got it."
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  • -3 +25 -28 Presley Apr. 21, 2012
    "Would you drink milk from your dog? It's just gross to think about, I was disgusted when learning there are high levels of blood found in the cow's milk people drink. Soy milk is a much better alternative, not only is it more healthy, but you are not drinking some animal's own milk...."
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    • +1 +1 0 Amelia Nov. 12, 2012
      "Can you prove that soy milk is better? Please let me know the reasons. I drank it for 20 years as I was led to believe I was allergic to cows milk and it has caused me to suffer with too much estrogen. At 62 I a still menstruating!
      It seems your distaste is based on an idea/emotion and not on solid nutritional facts"
  • -4 +15 -19 Brian Jul. 21, 2012
    "I strongly feel we should not deprive the young ones of the cows of their mothers milk we humans will justify any wrong doings if it satisfies our pleasures and needs. Think for a moment do cows drink milk to produce milk ? some people may justify that drinking milk is good for health then why dint our mothers feed us milk thought our lifetime till we
    grow old? As babies we stop feeding on mothers milk as soon as we are two or three years old and then mother nature has a lot of foods which contain all the nutrients which the milk contains. So it is up to you to think what is right and wrong and act accordingly"
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  • -4 +15 -19 ELIZABETH Jul. 11, 2012
    "Once, Milk was known as the ultimate health drink; packed with vitamins and minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, as well as all the essential food groups, milk was considered the perfect way to boost well-being in a glass. Over recent years, however, scientific evidence has linked different types of milk to a variety of health scares.

    In my opinion, Milk needs to be avoided by those who have lactose intolerance that may play a part in diseases such as diabetes and some cancers. For instance, the biggest factors in breast cancer include fat, excess estrogen and animal protein. Milk delivers all three.

    I believe cows' injected Milk is not the only source for vitamins and nutrients. Cows that produce the milk are given hormones and antibiotics to humans. This is especially true for people living with inflammatory conditions and auto-immune diseases. Cows are milked by machine; metal clamps are attached to the cows' sensitive udders. The udders become sore and infected. But the machines keep on milking, and therefore the dead white blood cells are being released into the milk humans drink."
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  • -14 +37 -51 BIbbs Sep. 2, 2011
    "My mother drank milk, ate a good diet of fresh fruit and veg from our garden etc. Sadly, she suffered with both severe anaemia and then in her 50's with chronic osteoporosis. I, on the other hand, had a great aversion to milk (put off by school milk left out in the sun) and very, very rarely ever have the stuff and if I do I make a choice of using milk, I source unpasturised and at least unhomogenised. I have no signs of any disorders, certainly not osteoporosis (medically confirmed after routine checks as it can be hereditary?),or anaemia. I did have anaemia in my student days; my diet changed and milk puddings etc were filling. I am of the opinion that you make your own choice of foods by how your body reacts; if food does not give you energy, you don't feel sustained and well, you need to seriously look at your diet. I also believe the comments you glean from the experts (?), must be researched, as often they will have ties with companies that either supply milk or diary products, manufacture alternatives or financed by those who already have set preferred outcomes of their research. You wont get anyone working for the milk promotional boards that are not wholly committed to promoting 'milk'! Finally, EAT FRESH!"
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  • -15 +10 -25 Habib Rizieq Jun. 24, 2012
    "Judging from how stupid the comments made by Americans, how it shows that they dont read the arguments... now i think the danger of milk is very real. Not only for body, but also for the brain. Americans love milk in their foods, thats how they get obesity, and stupidity.

    But i also agree that American have to keep their milk drinking habit, because it helps the pharmacy and funeral bussiness :))"
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    • +5 +6 -1 American Aug. 22, 2012
      "Yeah, we sure are dumb because we drink millk! Your should totally come over here and become our president. You sure seem to really know your stuff!!!!"
    • +3 +3 0 sherry Oct. 17, 2012
      "I'm sick of people disrespecting Americans all the time. This has nothing to do with milk."
  • -15 +19 -34 Ashi Jan. 10, 2012
    "Drinking milk in the U.S is bad. Pasturization kills any benifical organism that was in it. The "bad" organisms are not difficult for our body to deal with. Homogenization breaks down the NATURAL fat cells in the milk so much that they scar the arterial lining when they enter the blood stream. If the food kills us, we need medicine. If the medicine kills us, we need medicine. $$$. Thats America."
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    • 0 0 0 Scout Dec. 4, 2012
      "The point of pasteurization is to kill harmful germs left by the cows. Germs that we CANNOT digest ourselves."
    • 0 0 0 mrham23 Feb. 21, 2012
      "If all of this generates money then milk must be good. How many really need to go out and buy medicine? I don't even think it makes headlines."
    • -1 0 -1 The Liberalist Mar. 2, 2012
      "Pasteurization is meant to kill organisms that could harm you. Homoenization is not the reason that milk is so bad.
      What does America and the health policy have to do with ANYTHING?"
  • -19 +36 -55 Mica Oct. 4, 2011
    "None of the animals in this planet drink milk (or any other animal's milk) after they are weaned... Why humans do?"
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    • +8 +9 -1 Darth Nov. 28, 2011
      ""why humans do?"
      You lose all credibility once you say something like this."
    • 0 0 0 Dear Walter Apr. 30, 2013
      "drinking milk has nothing to do with living longer whatsoever. every mammal has a different life expectancy and the only reason ours changes so much is due to medicine not milk. btw the bowhead whale is said to have the longest life span for mammals, and they don't drink other mammal's milk."
    • 0 +1 -1 Walter Apr. 15, 2013
      "Why do you think that they die long before we do? We tend to outlive most animals on this planet. What do we do different? We drink milk."
  • -22 +45 -67 Boos May. 2, 2011
    "FYI: Humans are the only species who, once weaned from their mother, go to another animal species and drink its milk, and continue to consume a food which is designed for the rapid growth of livestock babies! Why do we do this, and why do we justify it? Please. We've grown accustomed to the taste, and find the idea of alternatives unpalatable (though most of us have never tried any of them!). Did you know that most adults have some level of lactose intolerance? Gee, I wonder why... maybe because, beyond your infant/toddler years (and now that you have teeth), you aren't designed to drink the baby food of another species! If you're worried about not getting enough calcium, you may be interested to know that the calcium molecule in cow's milk is too large for humans to assimilate. Do the research. It's an eye-opener! Then go and try some chocolate Silk. You'll never look back!"
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    • +1 +3 -2 derek Aug. 27, 2011
      "cats drink milk. not only are they animals, they are mammals, just like humans. cats also have similar X and Y chromosomes to humans. and soy milk increases estrogen levels in humans."
    • 0 0 0 to derek Apr. 30, 2013
      "cats dont drink milk after they are weaned and if they do it is because there owner fed it to them, not because they chose to, and that doesnt make it good for them"
    • 0 0 0 Walter Apr. 16, 2013
      "Soy milk increases hormone levels which is dangerous in itself. Also, the calcium in the cow's milk has proven to help reduce fat. A study showed that people drank who 12 ounces of milk everyday lost 12 pounds in 6 months, whereas, people who drank half a glass lost 7 pounds in 2 years."
  • -24 +14 -38 Cydney K. Nov. 29, 2011
    "No, because, of all the fat, and the schools let kids drink chocolate milk everyday. and if it goes bad, some people dont know."
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    • +1 +1 0 Jester Mar. 2, 2012
      "That's the same instance with French fries, they make people fat and the schools sell it to us. Tell me... What's the difference?"
  • -24 +27 -51 janet Jun. 28, 2011
    "I do believe you are what you eat, & 1 in every 6 women in the U.S get breast cancer, compare this to the breast cancer rate in countries where milk is not a common part of the diet like China? I am concerned that the milk americans drink has two major issues that promote breast cancer, the first is bovine leukemia virus, a virus cows get from there moms, when the calf drinks there mothers milk, they catch it. Bovine leukemia virus causes breast cancer in the utters of the cow, it is quite common, and it is also causing breast cancer in women in the U.S. who consume this infected milk. Ask an old dairy farmer or vet what bovine leukemia virus is. It causes breast (utter) cancer in cows and it does in human females. The 2nd concern is that cow milk products may have higher levels of rBGH, which increases milk production in the cow by 30 percent when she is injected with this synthetic milk producing hormone. This cuases the cow to be physically stressed, she gets sick more often and has to be on antibiotics more often, with the likelyhood of antibiotics and pus in milk, now you have a growth hormone that will increase the breast cancer tumor growth that was caused by the bovine leukemia virus contracted by drinking milk-"
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  • -26 +26 -52 lexi swizdor May. 19, 2011
    "Milk, we really dont need, doctors and others have conclude that even a TACO can have as much calcium, and minerals to the average glass of milk, because of the cheese, there are many others, and we are also wasting plastic because of milk jugs....."
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  • -27 +10 -37 tru man Apr. 2, 2012
    "no because i hate milk"
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    • 0 0 0 Vilseck Oct. 22, 2012
      "Can you explain why you hate milk? This doesn't tell me why you dislike milk. It just states you hate milk. Like come on person, my teacher is doing a Senate thing in his U.S. Govt class and I'm trying to make a bill on Milk, Your comment doesn't help me whatsoever. Have a nice day!"
  • -27 +9 -36 Madeline Jan. 26, 2012
    "Being fat can be cause by many things, but drinking chocolate milk all day everyday has a major effect also"
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    • +5 +5 0 Josh Feb. 5, 2012
      "Chocolate milk in moderation is actually very good for you. It's better than Gatorade at replenishing electrolytes, it has calcium and Vitamin D, and plus it tastes like chocolate!

      You're saying that we'll get fat if we drink nothing but chocolate milk 24/7. Yes, but the same goes for every food or drink except water and other foods and beverages with no fat.

      Your argument is invalid."
    • +1 +2 -1 moo May. 9, 2012
      "yeah well chocolate milk is high fructose corn syrup and junk so yeah it would make you fat"
    • 0 +1 -1 mrham23 Feb. 21, 2012
      "Of course drinking chocolate milk all day is gonna make you fat. This argument isn't valid. This is about milk being consumed. Adding chocolate to anything is gonna be unhealthy."
  • -27 +15 -42 Mike Aug. 2, 2011
    "My good people, take a minute and think. If we were dropped off in an unpopulated world, with all of the resources we have on this world, what would come natural to us? For one, we would get our own food. We are so domesticated. There truly is no difference from humans and dogs. We BUY our own food and we slave to do so. What is this freedom you people live?

    Enough rambiling, further more, back to the subject at hand. Our bodies are what we make of them. If your diet consists of balanced and proportioned meals, then go ahead; you can drink some cow milk. I'm nor obease or unhealthy. However, since none of us, Americans that is, really eat healthy, then cut out all of these unnecassary foods. Go eat some nuts!"
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    • -1 0 -1 Cassie Nov. 20, 2011
      "We are slaves to many things, most notibly the status quo. You follow a government blindly Brent, a government that no longer represents what you or I want but what is good for industry and commerce. They take away your rights by telling you your lawn must be well groomed, house cleaned, make-up/hair done, have all the newest electronic devices or you will be an outcast. Even questioning the way things are done is deemed "un-American" when that is the very foundation America was built on. It's just an emotional play on words to get succeptible minds to turn on their own neighbors in the name of a government with only their own best interests in mind."
    • -1 +1 -2 Brent Oct. 28, 2011
      "Where, may i ask, did you get your "nuts"? I am almost 100% certain you didn't just go out and find these nuts in the wild. You bought those nuts and as such you are slave to do so. I will admit that i am slave to purchasing my own food. You have criticized where you live and the rights you are given by living in such a wonderful country and you criticize the people who live there. Shame on you sir. shame on you."
  • -28 +17 -45 Bill Eddy Jun. 9, 2011
    "Milk, which contains rBGH is dangerous due to the health reisks stemming from the additive. This is because the hormone has been demonstrated to enter into the milk and likely has an effect on the human body; increasing body size and triggering early puberty in females.
    Milk really isn't necessary; especially when it comes from a foreign species. We should consider bovine milk to be an 'exotic' beverage and stop promoting it as a healthy source of nutrients for our body."
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  • -37 +15 -52 momma Jul. 6, 2011
    "what is in the milk that causes my daughter to have projectile vomiting and diarrhea?"
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    • +9 +9 0 Random Someone Jul. 17, 2011
      "she might be lactose intolerant???"
    • +2 +2 0 Bibbs Sep. 2, 2011
      "I do not know the age of your daughter, but it could simply be an allergy, just as some people cannot tolerate nuts, shellfish etc. Milk is really for calves, although it will have some nutritional value. I would suggest a consultation with an alternative health provider, perhaps? Maybe your daughter needs her whole diet reviewed (ps don't meant your not 100% committed giving your daughter the best), but often children eat or are given processed foods away from the home out of choice or convenience. Anything that is manmade is not good for any human; fruit, fish, vegetables, nuts etc all contain massive amounts of calcium; children need 800 to 1300 mg/day, which is so easily to achieve using alternatives. If your daughter is a baby, purified foods can still be consumed with your GP's advice. I am not a doctor, but I can only speak from personal experience, as someone who has spent many years looking for the perfect diet... impossible I know, but dietary knowledge can be the difference between a full and healthy life, to a poor and sickly one. Good luck!"
    • 0 0 0 ani May. 9, 2012
      "i agree lactose intolerant switch her to soy it tastes good"
  • -51 +14 -65 Ahmad NIxon Sep. 27, 2011
    "milk is terible"
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    • 0 0 0 Dear Walter Apr. 30, 2013
      "i'm not sure if you noticed but "I Like Milk" is your side's top comment, i don't see you asking him that question"
    • 0 0 0 Walter Apr. 16, 2013
      "Yes, because that is a viable argument for being bad for you... *sarcasm* Care to explain your thoughts?"
  • -60 +21 -81 Robert Apr. 27, 2011
    "Just checked out your website. Yeech.

    You might consider FILMING a series of debate questions and offering live responses on YouTube.

    Your presentation of data may appear fair and balanced, but I would slaughter these so-called pro-milk experts in live debate. Their so-called factoids are based upon pyramids of distortions built upon crumbling foundations.

    My challenge: I will take on any TEN of the dairy industry experts at one time in a future debate.

    They will not accept, because they already know that I would chop them up into little pieces of Swiss cheese with large holes."
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    • -1 +8 -9 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Jul. 6, 2011
      "YOU ARE WRONG HA"
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