Should You Drink Raw Milk?

Raw milk, also known as real milk, is not pasteurized and not homogenized. Raw milk contains roughly 4% butterfat, compared to processed milk which contains less than 3%. Raw milk does not contain any additives, unlike processed low-fat milks, which contain Vitamin A Palmitate.

Where Does Raw Milk Come From?

Raw milk comes from old-fashioned cows. These cows, unlike their modern counterparts, have not been bred to produce large quantities of milk. They have not been given growth hormones and eat a natural diet made up of green grass during the growing season and green feed, silage, hay and root vegetables in the winter. In contrast, modern cows consume commercial feed, which lowers the vitamin content of their milk. Most of these modern cows are confined and never eat green grass.

What are the Benefits of Raw Milk?

Since raw milk has a high butterfat content, it also contains Vitamins A and D, which help the body process the calcium and protein found in milk. The butterfat also has strong anti-cancer properties, as well as other benefits. Pasteurization destroys enzymes, beneficial bacteria and vitamins and denatures milk proteins. Raw milk has none of these issues. Processed milk has been linked to heart disease, cancer, tooth decay, arthritis and many other conditions.

Is Raw Milk Safe?

With its link to many health issues, like allergies and heart disease, processed milk has become the problem. Before milk became processed, these conditions were rare. Pasteurization was first introduced in the 1920s, when dirty milk production methods were common. Tuberculosis, infant diarrhea, and other diseases were reduced due to pasteurization. However, modern production methods are much safer and cleaner than their antiquated counterparts. Modern refrigeration, milking machines and stainless steel trucks make pasteurization unnecessary.

Is Raw Milk Legal?

Raw milk is legal in some states, while it is illegal in others. Many states have tougher standards on raw milk suppliers than on processed milk suppliers. In 28 states, raw milk may be purchased directly from a farm, while a few states allow the sale of raw milk in stores. For example, New York allows the sale of raw milk directly to the consumer at local farms, which must be licensed to sell raw milk. North Carolina, however, bans the sale of raw milk for human consumption completely.

To find out if raw milk is available in your area, contact your local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

For more information on raw milk read Nutrition Comparison of Raw Milk and Pasteurized Homogenized Milk.

Sources: Real Milk
Wikipedia - Raw Milk