There are different ideas and beliefs when it comes to dairy, specifically raw dairy. Some schools of thought talk about how it’s best to limit or take dairy out of the diet (plant based sources). Others say to choose low fat. Others say to keep it in there as long as it’s raw and/or grass fed. A lot of debate on this topic. In this article we’ll take a look at raw milk– some of the benefits and cool things I’ve learned, and how it fits in with the idea of how we evolved and what we evolved eating. And if you decide to consume it, ask your doctor, and/or boil it to be on the safe side.
So first and foremost, I was drawn to trying raw dairy after reading and hearing some people talking about the benefits. Also about the idea that like a lot of foods, dairy is modified and processed and becomes less nutritious when we see it in the grocery store. Hearing that when we go back to the roots of nutrition we can heal and strengthen ourselves. And when we eat something closer to it’s natural form it makes sense that it’d be that much better for us. The raw milk I got was from Misty Brook farm and it was great.
Benefits of Raw Milk
Raw milk contains a lot of nutrients- Proteins, Healthy Fats, Vitamins, Calcium, Enzymes. These are all fully in tact in raw milk. When the milk is processed and all that, many say it loses some of those benefits.
Here are just some of the benefits of the fat soluble vitamins found in raw milk. Vitamins D, A, and K… Vitamin D- Bone support, Immune System, Mood. Vitamin A- Immune System, Vision Support. Vitamin K- Bone support, Heart Support. Raw milk also contains vitamins B12- which helps the nervous system and helps break down fats and proteins, and B6– which can improve mood and protect the heart.
We also get some Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium. Calcium… once again, bone support, heart and muscle support. Magnesium supports mood, relaxation (sleep), and exercise. Potassium helps balance hydration, heart rhythm, blood pressure and more.
As for fats- Omega 3’s and 6’s are found in balance in raw milk (and any organic, grass fed milk). When a cow is fed grain, the ratio becomes imbalanced and inflammation occurs.
In Terms Of Evolution
I’ve had some cool conversations about nutrition, recently about raw milk and sometimes evolution comes up. When we look at evolution and the many many years we evolved eating in a certain way, we can get answers to a lot of questions. But this one is interesting. We may have started consuming dairy only about 6 or 8 thousand years ago. So the majority of human evolution was without dairy. If you’re fully paleo based, you’d say we’re not meant to eat or drink dairy. If you’re fully plant based, same thing. But it’s been around for a little while and there does seem to be a lot of nutritional power in it.
Raw milk can give you a lot of great nutrition, specifically fat soluble vitamins which many of us are need more of. But of course there are other sources as well for these vitamins and for proteins and fats so keep it varied (Vit D in eggs and fish and A in some fish). And as for the debate on raw vs processed… there are benefits to the pasteurizing process in terms of safety- but also understand how factory farming affects food- what the cow is fed, antibiotics, hormones etc- that all affects the product and us. So do your research but it seems to me the less processed the better… and the healthier the cow or other animal the better.
Wishing you health and strength!
Ryan
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