Before you have your next glass of cow’s milk, you may want to read this.
Based on a comprehensive analysis by the T. Colin Campbell Foundation at Cornell University of several medical studies, consumption of dairy specifically, and animal protein more broadly, have been shown to statistically increase the risk of osteoporosis and/or hip fractures later in life. Yes, I said increase.
Studies utilized for this meta-analysis compared the rate of osteoporosis and incidence of hip fractures to the degree of consumption of animal vs. vegetable proteins, of dairy foods specifically and of excretion of urinary calcium. Scientists have known since the 1920s that consuming animal protein produces amino acids which increase the acidity of our bodies. This is unlike plant-based proteins which are alkaline. A simple litmus strip test of urine shows the current acidity or alkalinity of one’s diet choices. Since our bodies naturally strive for a balance that is slightly alkaline, we release calcium from our bones to neutralize the acid, which we excrete in our urine.
From this analysis it was shown that increased levels of urinary calcium were found in those who consumed the most animal protein (including dairy). In fact, those on high animal protein diets were in fact shown to excrete 50% more calcium after 6 months. In another study that lasted over 7 years, those eating an animal-based diet had 3.7 times more bone fractures than those eating a plant-based diet. Consistently, the incidence of hip fractures were highest where the most animal protein including dairy was consumed.
There is some good news. To the extent that plant-based foods replaced animal-based proteins in the diet, regardless of region, the degree of hip fractures dramatically decreased. This is consistent with several other findings on the benefits of a plant-based diet and its effect on chronic and inflammatory diseases.
Puts you in the moo’d for almond milk, doesn’t it?
