I have a couple comments.

1) If you drink raw milk from Jersey or Guernsey cows, you will not get mucus from drinking them. Stay away from holstein or other cow milk, even if it is raw.
2) Most of America is lactose intolerant because they are drinking pasteurized milk. I do not know anyone who had problems drinking raw organic milk, even though they stated they were lactose intolerant (the pasteurization process kills the digestive enzymes that naturally occur in milk)
3) Raw milk and other raw dairy products provide probiotics that allow you to have a healthy gut; feeding your baby anything hydrolyzed is NOt going to be good for them.
4) Almond milk tastes disgusting, even if it is better for you than soy milk.

So you may have some good points about the pyramid chart and the USDA suggestions, but I started drinking raw milk last year and am in love with it. I am rarely sick now, and have more energy. Besides, I have lost 10 lbs without reducing my calories!

I start my day every morning with a protein shake made with organic whey protein (no msg, no artificial sweetners, no soy), and raw milk. I also throw in a bit of fiber in the shake.

Way better than eating sugary processed cereal with store bought milk.

I agree 100% with your comments about dairy and have first-hand experience that proves your points! First, when my (now 7 year old) son was born, he had a terrible issue with vomiting after each formula bottle. This went on for close to a week and thee Dr. said it was likely the "flu" which I did not agree with as there was no fever, etc. I put him on soy formula and had a different baby with in 24 hours. My son had been dairy free ever since and all is well. Second, I used to have a problem with sinus infections. They happened so frequently that my Dr. said "one more sinus infection and we will need to do "Roto Rooter" on your nose". No thanks, I said...I went dairy free and the sinus infections stopped. That was 7 years ago and now, as long as I stay off of dairy I have no more sinus problems. I have even tested myself through the years and, sure enough, if I eat dairy cheese or ice cream the sinus symptoms come back. Not a full fledged sinus infection but very stuffy etc. I'm sure if I went back to a regular diet of dairy the sinus infections would be raging!
The great thing about dairy-free these days is that there are a lot of alternatives available...Almond milk and almond cheese, rice, soy and now even coconut milk, ice cream and yogurt products.

I don't agree with this article. I love milk and I drink only organic non-homogenized whole milk by Farmers' Creamery.
On contrary, I was on the vacation where I didn't have my milk for a whole week. I felt worse and I had constipation problems that I usually don't have home. However, I don't drink milk that much, about a cup a day. In addition, I drink real original Kefir, I eat Greek yogurt, and solid cheese.
Regarding to vitamin D supplements, there is a lot was said in Dr. William Douglass's articles related to the fraud associated with these vitamins. If you want to get real vitamin D benefit, get out under the Sun in the morning for some time. Plus I think dairy products are good for us for our bones and for good source of animal protein. As everything, the name of the game is moderation. We should follow the balance diet and eat organic natural food free from the processing.

I love organic milk. Wish I could get unpasteurized milk. My only side effect with milk is a bit of mucus build up in my throat after I drink it. And that has only started within the last few years although I drink much less than I used to when I was a kid a long time ago....

Agree about modern pasturised milk. I am a very healthy fit 52 year old..ie ride 150 k on my bike with ease....just went milk free a few weeks ago and feel so much better..my kids hav edoen the same and now if we drink it we feel ill.

I stopped dairy over three years ago and rarely have sinus-migraine headaches like I did before. When I stopped eating sugar and gluten foods, I got even better. This year I read your book The Ultra Mind Solution and recommend it alot to friends. Thanks for a great book.

Organic plain yogurt (goat,cow,buffalo.sheep) mixed with nuts and fruit is a beautiful tasty thing and probably the thought unhinges Vegetarians but its good and made and mixed correctly is a healthy food. It comforts me which is good for my overall wellbeing and health. I guess we should forget about the beneficial bacteria,Vitamins A and D.B vitamins and amino acids like trytophan in good plain yogurt.I know some people are dairy intolerant or allergic but you sound a bit extremist with this anti dairy kick. I'll enjoy my yogurt to my good health and you RAVE ON.

I don't know if what you say is true or not, but I can tell you this: My mother (deceased) hated milk and never drank it as an adult or child. She had to have all her teeth removed when she was in her 40's cause they were so soft and rotted. She suffered from terrible back problems from severe osteoperosis as she aged. I blame her health problems on the fact that she did not get enough calcium from milk as a child and it affected her entire life. Her diet was always rich in salads and vegetables so I question these so called facts re drinking milk and/or taking calcium supplements. For me, I need more proof.

Check out http://www.realmilk.com

Well, the theory of A1 and A2 protein, i.e. difference between Jersy and Holstein cows has been totally discredited. There was never a proof of it, just a wild claim by a whacky self-proclaimed expert. He is now long dead, so nobody can now ask how he came up with such wild un-substantiated claims.
Our Annymous commenter thinks "milk is good for our bones", strang, after hard research proves over and over again, like this article says, the milk losers the bone density in grownups, whether rew or pasturized .
It all boils down to an obvious fact -- cow's milk is for babies (and specifically baby cows)
WARNING: soy milk is NOT a good substitute for dairy !!! it's loaded with pesticides (go mercola.com and read about GM soy) and chemicals that mimic estrogen, so your boy may grow breasts and have abnormal genitals, this is not a joke, DO YOUR HOMEWORK -- this is becoming an epidemic.

I do not drink milk as I have been told that humans are the only species that drink another animals milk. I do, however, occasionally eat low fat cheese. I also started putting non-fat plain Greek yogurt in my whey protein/strawberry/blackberry shake. Should I avoid both of these as well? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I agree, dairy isn't as healthy as many think. I have given up milk and cheese, and switched to rice or almond milk. I have a food alergy that I haven't pinpointed yet, but I am trying to eliminate anything that has antibiotics or pesticides. I think Ca pills and Vit D are crucial, but the milk can go.

The age of human weaning is between 6 and 7 years old, not 2 to 5. This is based upon several facts: 1)The Thymus Gland, which produces Lactase to process Lactose in milk, shrinks and becomes vestigial at around age 6 years old. 2)The "Milk Teeth" start falling out at age 6 years, a direct indication that the digestive juices are maturing enough to handle more fibrous food. 3)A child's need to suck is satisfied at around age 6 years, at which point they "forget" how to nurse, or form a vacuum to get the milk "down". 4)Children are most vulnerable to disease while they're producing antibodies in the first 6 years of life, and the antibodies in "Mother's Milk" take up the slack in the meantime. 5)A major shift in the intellect occurs at 6 years old, when the child begins bonding with adults other than the parents, and starts forming close relationships with its peers. If a mother doesn't offer the child the breast, but instead, makes herself available when the child desires to nurse on demand for as long as the child desires, weaning will occur naturally between age 5 to 8 years. If the mother shows an aversion to nursing before the child reaches 6 years old, the child will sense this and avoid the breast, seeking other objects to satisfy its need to suck. A measure of trust in the mother is lost, and a habit of seeking comfort from things rather than people is developed.

I gave up all dairy products in my 20's, and my painful periods went from 8 days duration down to a painless 2 days. Then I started eating dairy every morning for breakfast over a week, and besides a heavier menstrual flow, I started coughing up a lot of mucus and waking up with much more "sleep" (dried mucus?) in my eyes than when I wasn't eating dairy foods. I tried drinking a glass of raw milk every day for about a month last year, and I started getting lots of gas. I saw the connection and gave up drinking so much milk, although I occasionally eat minimal amounts of cheese, full cream, sour cream, cream cheese and ice cream. I haven't had a cold in years, whereas when I drank lots of milk every day as a child, I had colds lasting 2 weeks about 5 times a year. My parents drank lots of milk to "prevent" osteoporosis, but they got it anyway. I now have severe osteoporosis at age 59.

1. Milk doesn't reduce fractures. This is not a reason not to drink it.
2. Less dairy, better bones. OK This is reason #1.
3. Calcium isn't as bone-protective as we thought. Not a reason not to drink milk.
4. Calcium may raise cancer risk. Admittedly milk has calcium, but this is not a reason not to drink milk either.
5. Calcium has benefits that dairy doesn't. OK. Still not a reason to not drink milk.
6. Not everyone can stomach dairy. Ah reason #2 but only if your lactose intolerant.

I would only recommend only raw milk products, but please make your points support your hypothesis.

Raw milk is a whole food by itself and is not harmful in any way as long it is processed properly, it does not mean we have to drink gallons, but it should be in our diets I agree there are people that develop some kind of allergy to milk, as some people have Celiac Disease and is unfortunate that some of us do not enjoy a glass of milk or any derivatives that comes from such, I am leery when the overall picture is avoid this avoid that, and only suggest fruits and vegetables, where as people who are on these diets lack certain amount of vitamins and they have to supplement, I am for a well balance diet, with the proper portion of , meat, dairy, legumes, fruit and vegetables, and for whatever reason some people can not tolerate milk whether they have read is bad for them or they think it should be for baby cows, that is no reason to malign this precious food, as some of us will benefit from this wholesome food. JAM

I love almond milk, (soy, rice, whole grain etc, and cow's milk for sure can go down the drain)

It is said that Goat's milk is the closest to mother's milk. Are there any studies that support same harmful effects for Goat and Sheep milk?

As far as I know it is the fatty acids in Cow’s milk (not protein) that attack bones. Children are able to digest it but when you hit 30s stomach acid becomes less and less effective on them. About after 40 undigested acids go straight to the blood stream and melt out bones. I think we will have the same effect from goat or sheep milk products, I am guessing at a later time but when?

P.S. a good read “Strontium, Not Calcium, Builds Strong Bones”

My body absolutely thrives and needs milk. I don't feel satiated unless I drink a small glass of milk with a meal. I also eat lots of cheese. I use organic milk and would buy raw if I could find it in my area. I also drink whole fat dairy products. My weight? 100 lbs. And I need a high calorie high protein diet just to maintain this weight. From my perspective milk (in its raw or organic form at least) is still an excellent food source.

I would like to read about the differences in the quality of raw milk and pasteurized milk. THere is an overwhelming difference in taste and I feel that raw milk has more health factors. I am not a big milk consumer. But I do use cream in my coffee and butter is also regularly in my diet.

I'm trying to go dairy free- but I love cheese...how about goat cheese?

I'm 69 years old and realized years a go that I'm not a calf.
So I stopped all dairy products.
I live on soy or nut milk.
I have no illness of any form and are very very healthy .
My diet consist of raw veggies fruit and seeds and nuts.
I donut do exercise but walk a lot and are always busy like working in the garden and on the house .
I refuse to take a flu yep and won't take any antibiotics as there are many other ways to combat viruses.
I also don't smoke and only drink very little alcohol.
Hope this information will open the eyes of many readers.
You don't have to follow mainstream you now .
Have healthy day all.

I would like to know your reason(s) why men should NOT be taking Ca++, and Vit D supplements.

Raw milk is marvelous. In Canada hard to get; also grass-fed only cows with A2 Casein (Jersey cows among others) will provide very good milk.
Even organic grain fed cows will produce milk that is not natural.
Also I read that goat milk does not have the A1 form of casein which brings trouble.
All in all we were not created to live in a world where food is produce by large corporations; we were created to each produce our food in a family scale setting. All the industrialization of the food production has destroyed much of the quality of our food, poor soil, too much sugar not enough minerals in the new hybrids (let alone genetic modifications).

I grew up constantly getting ear infections and all kinds of upper respiratory infections. At 20 years old, the first visit to a new doctor I was seeing (one who studies naturopathic medicine) he recommended for me to try to eliminate dairy simply based on the history of my symptoms. It's been seven months since I've avoided dairy and the worst sickness I've had was a sore throat, only once, for a few days that didn't lead to anything else like it usually would (bronchitis, tonsillitis, etc.) As a stressed college student, I was getting sick all the time and going to the school infirmary to get antibiotics not knowing the harm I was doing to my body. The past few months I've included a little goat products in my diet, mostly yogurt, although sometimes milk and cheese. I seem to tolerate that well since there has been no sign of reaction.

My PSA levels doubled in 12 months from 1.7 to 3.4, and a specialist wanted to do a biopsy on my prostate. Instead I gave up dairy products totally. Within 6 months my PSA had dropped back to 1.7 and my cholesterol levels went from above normal back to within the normal range. There is very strong evidence linking dairy products with breast and prostate cancers. See books on both topics by UK researcher Dr Jane Plant.

I have just recently discovered that I am lactose intolerant, and after spending the last 62 years of my life drinking milk, eating cream and cheese, now I can't eat any of them without getting severe diarrhea within an hour of drinking or eating them. I LOVE cheese, butter and cream, and am realy struggling with trying to adapt my diet now. As well as lactose intolerance, I also am allergic to just about all artificial food additives, and I suffer from Diabetes Type 2, so my diet has already been severely limited, and now even more so. It is getting to the stage where I don't know what I can eat anymore. I am a disabled pensioner, unable to walk or exercise, and fresh fruit and vegetables and meat, etc are so epensive here in Tasmania, so I suddenly have to start completely reorganising my whole life around these problems. The other main problem I have is that my husband can eat and drink whatever he likes with no problems at all, so often I have to cook two entirely different meals. I have found lactose free milk is OK with my cereal in the morning, but am now drinking weak black tea and/or herbal teas instead of white coffee, which I loved. Can you please suggest what I can do, because I hate all the alternatives to milk, and can't stand sandwiches, etc without butter. I really am getting desperate, and as I also suffer from clinical depression, I am starting to feel that I really have nothing to live for because everything I enjoy has been taken from me. Can someone PLEASE HELP ME?

Everyone is different, the good Dr has at least made the non milk drinkers happy... and lots of others are yelling BS because they like milk. To me? I believe milk is just another food source, at least it's natural and it is our first food. Tell me where you would find soy milk in it's natural form? or almond milk? I drink 5Lt of raw milk per week and love it, if processed milk were the only milk available, I would give it up. The earliest reference I could find to milk was the bibles old testament, the promised land was flowing with milk and honey, it must have been consumed and highly respected as a food even way back then. It is "a" food source just like any other, no food mankind has ever eaten just materialises in the gut, we must get it from somewhere and cook it or not to our liking, consume it and our bodies will extract it's goodness. If the food does not agree with you or you don't like the taste, texture or other? then don't eat it. If one diet or group of foods was correct for every person on the planet? then none of us would be ill, fat, thin... we would all be thriving and Doctors of all types would be out of work. Find what makes you happy to eat and eat that. All we really have is food, air and water, without any of these we die, so eat the good stuff, breath clean air and drink clean water or at least as close as you can get to that ideal.