A Common Food Staple Contributing to Weight Gain, Parkinson’s, MS, Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Hormone issues, and Bad Cholesterol.
Is this everyday kitchen staple harming you more than you think?
Hello to All!
Because Parkinson’s disease is a reality for my family—on both sides unfortunately—I’m always on the lookout for new information. I stumbled upon more compelling evidence about a common kitchen staple: one we relied on for survival historically, but now continue to consume, believing it supports our health. The truth may be far more unsettling: research now links this everyday food to damage the very neurons that keep our brains healthy. Also this staple increases the risks of reproductive cancers, weight gain, hormonal issues, and more. The mainstream media rarely highlights findings like these, so sometimes it takes digging to uncover the facts. The blog post below breaks it all down, along with recommended books to explore. While not everyone may take this to heart, my hope is simply to share what I’ve learned—with absolutely no judgment if you choose a different path than mine. I’ll copy/paste their concise summary here from the blog link in case you prefer a somewhat quicker read than their blog. I’ve experienced the loss of two family members to Parkinson’s; it’s horrible to watch them progress through the disease, and it’s devastating to the person and those who love them. I’m not saying this one thing was the only contributor, but it seems like a big one… I hope no one finds out, which is why I feel compelled to share the below. Take it if you will… Parkinson’s and these other ailments it can contribute to are not funny.
- “Dairy products are the only food group consistently associated with a high risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Multiple large studies have found that people who drink the most milk may face a higher Parkinson’s disease risk—about a 50% higher risk overall compared to those who drink the least.”
- “Brain autopsy research shows that people who consumed two cups of milk a day during midlife had up to 40% fewer neurons in the substantia nigra, a brain region where nerve cell deaths are linked to Parkinson’s disease.”
- “Among people who drank the most milk, residues of the pesticide heptachlor epoxide were detected in 9 out of 10 brains, suggesting a potential toxic link between contaminated dairy and critical neuron loss.”
- “The milk sugar galactose, which reaches the brain within hours of consumption, can induce oxidative stress and neuron damage at doses achievable through just two glasses of milk per day, possibly contributing to brain aging and cognitive decline.”
- “Can’t you just drink lactose-free milk, like Lactaid? That has the lactase enzyme added to make lactose-free milk. But it just breaks down lactose into galactose in the carton rather than in your gut, so you’re still ingesting the same amount of galactose. Perhaps it’s no wonder that more milk intake at midlife may be linked to a greater rate of cognitive decline.”
My Notes: I’ve sounded the alarm about this for years: milk is dairy, plain and simple. And dairy—anything made from milk—isn’t just problematic; it’s often more concentrated. Cheese lovers, brace yourselves: cheese isn’t just a “processed food”—it’s also essentially a solid block of saturated fat that contributes to clogged arteries to the heart and brain. But the danger doesn’t stop there. It turns out the milk sugar, galactose, and the lingering pesticides found in dairy don’t just impact Parkinson’s risk—they’re also linked to Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. The evidence is mounting, and it’s time we see dairy for what it truly is: a potential catalyst for devastating neurological diseases. Yes, this includes raw milk. It still contains that sugar…
And if you want to get “lean,” milk does not do a body good. Know why? Dairy has been linked to encouraging weight gain; considering cow’s milk was intended to grow a 60 lb. calf to a 700-pound cow as rapidly as possible. If you are trying to create a lean, healthy body, it may NOT “do a body good.” Recent studies have also associated dairy with an increased risk of hip fractures and bone loss. However, there are healthy and delicious alternatives to dairy-related milk, ice-cream, cheese, and chocolate to enjoy and still get our calcium! We need calcium, not dairy. More on Calcium later! Lastly, some dairy products carry high amounts of Phthalate-endocrine hormone disruptors (plastic chemical pollutants from the tubing/machine used on cows). These endocrine disruptors have been associated with increased abdominal fat, endometriosis in women, and reproductive health issues in men and women. For more information on this including many things discussed above & below read – The China Study by Dr. T Colin Campbell, Keep it Simple, Keep it Whole by Dr. Pulde & Dr. Lederman, Breaking the food Seduction by Dr. Barnard, and lastly The newly released updated and revised How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Dr. M Greger
Let me also reiterate more… Cow’s milk, even when organic has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and bladder cancer. Dairy has been shown to turn on some cancer cells in our body. Dairy can also cause an increase in arthritis symptoms, asthma, COPD symptoms, and skin issues—especially acne & eczema! It has also prompted early puberty in young girls! Dairy is typically where we get too much estrogen – as dairy provides us with an average of 60-80% of estrogen (not the estrogen you want) and may affect our hormones negatively for both men and women. The Environmental Protection Agency announced that 93% of our dioxin exposure comes from consuming animal products in particular – dairy and fish. Dioxin is the most carcinogenic environmental toxin! When we digest dairy, casomorphins (opioid peptides) are produced which activate the same receptors in our brain as morphine. This may be a reason that processed dairy foods such as cheese or milk-chocolate may be addicting.
I know dairy is such a common part of so many people’s lives—sometimes it feels like it’s in everything we eat, from the first cup of coffee in the morning with a splash of cream, to buttered toast, or milk mixed into your eggs for breakfast. At lunch, maybe there’s cheese in your sandwich, or even milk solids hiding in your favorite salad dressing and bread. By dinner, mac and cheese might be on the table, followed by a glass of milk with cookies for dessert. It seems almost impossible to avoid, especially with how many processed and packaged foods include some form of dairy. When you start looking, you’ll be amazed at how much it pops up in our daily meals!
So, what can we do to take charge of our health in a positive way? One powerful step is to return to basics with more homemade meals, excluding dairy, so you know exactly what’s going into your food. Take a closer look at the ingredients in your condiments (or make your own), and when possible, reach for organic options—even if they’re not perfect, they can help reduce your exposure to pesticides. Fill your plate with a rainbow of colorful, plant-based foods like berries, greens, sweet potatoes, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Don’t be afraid to get creative with herbs and spices to make every meal exciting and delicious. There’s evidence that eating a diet rich in fiber—like whole, plant-based foods—can naturally support healthy dopamine levels in the brain! That is an important piece regarding Parkinson’s, by the way along with assisting with toxin removals, and many more wonderful things! Even if you enjoy healthy free-roaming meats & fish like me, pairing them with plenty of fiber-rich sides is a great choice. Small changes can make a big difference, and a more mindful approach to what we eat can truly empower us all.
Thanks so much for sticking with me on this journey. I hope you found something helpful here—and remember, every positive step you take counts. Here’s to good health and vibrant meals!
#ditchdairy
Love,
AJ
