Grassfed dairy cows produce milk that is also high in conjugated lineoleic acid (CLA), a healthy omega-6 found in milk that’s been shown to lessen symptoms of inflammatory disorders such as allergies and asthma and promote muscle growth and fat burning in the body. Grassfed meat and dairy contain more beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids, which may prevent dementia as well as heart disease. Not only are grassfed animals healthier, but their meat and milk are more nutritious than their corn-fed counterparts. coli, a pathogenic bacteria that can spread to humans. Most milk (and beef) sold in America today comes from cows that have been fed corn, soy, and other grains.įarmers cheaply fatten the animals up, but because cows’ multi-compartmented stomachs can’t properly digest corn, it also makes them more susceptible to E. Why Grassfed Milk Is SuperiorĬows are ruminants and as such they evolved to eat grasses, not grains. Ideally, you’ll choose 100% grassfed milk. Pasture is made up of perennial grasses that require few inputs to grow year after year, especially under organic management–which prohibits synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.įor your own health and the health of the planet, we implore you to only buy certified organic dairy products. They strive to mitigate climate change.Īs you can see, organic milk comes from farms that have less reliance on grain for feed.Cows that need antibiotics are segregated.Farmers may not use animal drugs like hormone growth promoters.(You’ll learn about some brands that don’t adhere to this below, under The Sneaky Stuff). Per the USDA National Organic Program standards, the animals must graze pasture during the grazing season, which must be at least 120 days per year.When you buy certified organic milk, the milk is coming from a farm where: This is especially true when feed grain is imported from other countries. They also require a lot of fuel for machinery used to plant, harvest, process, and transport to dairy farms. These energy-intensive crops require synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. It’s worth noting that corn and soy–both of which are used to make cow feed–are annual crops that require a lot of energy to produce and transport, emitting a lot of greenhouse gasses in the process. Conventional cows may be given growth hormones and antibiotics. What’s in Conventional Milk?Ĭows raised on conventional dairy farms can be fed grass, hay, grains, soy, corn, and human food byproducts (including candy and bakery waste).Ĭonventional dairy farmers do not have to conform to the requirements of grass-feeding or organic farming practices. Researchers have also found that residues of growth hormones in conventional milk are 20 times higher than in organic milk. The majority of conventional milk samples also test positive for controversial pesticides. Also, there are notable differences in the levels of antibiotics, growth hormones, and pesticides in conventional milk versus organic milk.Ī majority of samples of conventional milk repeatedly test positive for residues of antibiotics- two of which are banned from dairy production in the United States. Organic milk contains more good omega-3 fatty acids, more antioxidants, and a higher nutrient mineral content than conventional milk.ĭairy cows under organic management eat more grass than those under conventional management, and that difference in their diet results in more nutrient-rich milk. Most Important: Always Choose Organic Milk!įor nearly 15 years, studies have been showing that organic milk has a healthier nutritional profile than does conventional milk. (And for those who choose not to drink milk, look for our plant milk guide–coming next month!). Some medical experts believe that milk should be the main source of many nutrients for the youngest members of our population.īut not all milk is created equal, and there are many who question the necessity for dairy milk at all in the human diet.Ĭertainly, milk has its drawbacks for both our health and the health of the planet, but I do not believe that there is no place for milk in a healthful diet.įor those who choose to add cow milk to their diet, we created this guide to help you find the best option for you and your family. Cow milk provides protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin D. Milk from dairy cows has been a part of the human diet for almost 10,000 years. Written by Suzanne, Certified Holistic Health Coach
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