On Raw Milk
Why raw milk should be legal.
Before we dive into raw milk, let’s start with the recognized health today.
Leading supplements and vitamins used by supplement consumers in the U.S., the UK, and China in 2019
*Vitamin C
*Vitamin D
*Calcium
*B-Vitamins
*Iron
*Omega-3
Fiber
*Probiotics
*Magnesium
*Vitamin A
Okay, now we are ready to dive into raw milk.
Nutrition In Raw Milk
Vitamins
Vitamin A
*Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
*Vitamin C
*Vitamin B-12
*Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
*Vitamine B2 (Riboflavin)
*Vitamine B3 (Niacin)
*Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
*Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
*Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
*Vitamin B9 (Folate)
*Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Minerals
*Calcium
Phosphorus
Potassium
*Magnesium
Sodium
Chloride
Sulfur
Iron
Zinc
Copper
Manganese
Selenium
Iodine
Fluoride
Chromium
Molybdenum
Boron
Proteins
Casein Protein
Whey Protein
Fats
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
*Alpha-Linolenic Acid (Omega-3)
Linoleic Acid (Omega-6)
Oleic Acid
Lauric Acid
Capric Acid
Caprylic Acid
Caproic Acid
Butyric Acid
Amino Acids - contains all 16
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
Alanine
Arginine
Asparagine
Aspartic Acid
Cysteine
Glutamine
Glutamic Acid
Glycine
Proline
Serine
Probiotics
Lactobacillus
Streptococcus
Bifidobacteria
Prebiotic
Oligosaccharides
Enzymes
Lactase
Amylase
Lipase
Proteases
Phosphatase
Catalase
Xanthine Oxidase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Galactosidase
Peroxidase
Nutrition Summary
Of the leading supplements and vitamins, raw milk contains all of them except fiber. As you can see, it also contains much much more.
Raw Milk vs Pasteurized Milk
So it is clear that raw milk is loaded with nutrients, but what about pasteurized milk?
The problem with pasteurized milk is that it disrupts many of the nutrients in raw milk leaving you with empty calories and substances that are no harder to be broken down by the body.
Lactose and Lactase: Lactose is the sugar in milk and it digests better when the enzyme lactase is present. Lactase breaks down the lactose, the sugar, into glucose which the body can then use for energy. During pasteurization, the lactase is killed leading to lactose intolerance problems.
Phosphatase and Minerals: Phosphatase is an enzyme that helps absorb minerals like calcium and phosphorus. During pasteurization, Phosphatase is inactivated making the minerals less bioavailable.
Fats and Vitamins: The fats aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). Without them, the vitamins would be less useful to you. Pasteurization disrupts the fat within the milk therefore disrupting the absorption of these vitamins.
Casein and Calcium: Casein is a protein in milk that binds to calcium and phosphate, making them more bioavailable to you. During pasteurization, the casein protein gets denatured (or messed up) which disrupts this process.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria for the gut. Prebiotics are food for this healthy bacteria. During pasteurization, the probiotics are killed and the prebiotics become less useful.
Raw milk has very intentional yin-yang, synergistic relationships between its elements.
Pasteurization ruins these healthy relationships. This is why raw milk must remain raw.
History of Raw Milk
By the Meat Mafia. Read the full article here or check out their Podcast and Newsletter.
What if I told you that food once revered for its healing properties and life-giving nutrients is now illegal or highly regulated in most states?
That's right, I'm talking about raw milk - a nutrient-dense superfood that has been consumed by humans for thousands of years but has now been demonized and regulated out of existence.
But here's the thing: the story of raw milk's decline is not just a tale of food safety gone awry, it's a story of corporate greed, government overreach, and a fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship between food and health.
So buckle up, because we're about to dive into the untold story of raw milk and the misconceptions that have led to its downfall.
Let's start with the basics: what is raw milk and why is it so controversial?
Raw milk is simply milk that hasn't been pasteurized or homogenized. It comes straight from the cow (or goat, or sheep) and is consumed in its natural state, with all of its enzymes, probiotics, and nutrients intact.
For centuries, raw milk was a staple of the human diet, prized for its creamy texture, rich flavor, and numerous health benefits. In fact, in the early 1900s, doctors like J.E. Crewe and William Osler prescribed raw milk as a cure for everything from tuberculosis to tooth decay.
But then something changed. In the late 1800s, as cities grew and the demand for milk increased, a new kind of milk started appearing on the market: "swill milk."
Swill milk was produced by cows that were kept in cramped, unsanitary conditions and fed a diet of distillery waste and other garbage. The milk from these sick cows was thin, bluish, and often contaminated with dangerous bacteria like tuberculosis and brucellosis, and the swill milk was so disgusting it was often mixed with plaster of paris or chalk to make it look more white.
As a result, infant mortality rates skyrocketed and public health officials started sounding the alarm about the dangers of raw milk. But instead of addressing the root cause of the problem - the horrific conditions in which the cows were kept - they decided to blame raw milk itself.
In 1917, the first mandatory pasteurization laws were passed in the United States, and raw milk was effectively banned from commercial sale. But here's the thing: pasteurization was never meant to be a permanent solution. It was a stopgap measure to address a specific problem at a specific time.
But as the dairy industry grew and consolidated, pasteurization became the norm. Big Dairy realized that they could make more money by pooling milk from hundreds of farms, pasteurizing it to extend its shelf life, and shipping it across the country. Never mind that pasteurization also destroys many of the beneficial enzymes and probiotics in milk, or that it can actually make milk harder to digest for some people.
And so the misconceptions about raw milk began to spread. Health officials claimed that raw milk was inherently dangerous, that it couldn't be produced safely, and that pasteurization was the only way to ensure public health.
But the reality is far more complex. Yes, raw milk can harbor dangerous bacteria if it's not produced correctly. But so can lettuce, spinach, and even peanut butter. The key is in the production methods and the health of the animals.
In fact, studies have shown that raw milk produced under clean, hygienic conditions is actually safer than pasteurized milk. A 2011 study by the CDC found that the rate of illness from raw milk is actually lower than the rate of illness from other foods like deli meats, chicken, and eggs.
But the fear-mongering around raw milk has had real consequences. Today, only a handful of states allow the sale of raw milk, and those that do often have strict regulations and warning labels that make it seem like a dangerous substance.
Meanwhile, the benefits of raw milk have been largely forgotten. Raw milk is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are essential for human health. It contains beneficial bacteria that help to strengthen the immune system and improve digestion. And for many people who are lactose intolerant, raw milk is actually easier to digest than pasteurized milk.
But perhaps the biggest misconception about raw milk is that it's a niche product consumed only by a small group of health-obsessed fanatics. In reality, the demand for raw milk is growing rapidly, as more and more people become aware of its benefits and seek out alternatives to the industrialized food system.
In fact, a 2016 survey by the Weston A. Price Foundation found that over 10 million Americans now regularly consume raw milk, and that number is only growing. And this isn't just a trend among hippies and health nuts - raw milk drinkers come from all walks of life, from soccer moms to Silicon Valley CEOs.
So what can we learn from the story of raw milk? First and foremost, it's a reminder that our food system is not always what it seems. The industrialization of agriculture has led to a host of unintended consequences, from the rise of factory farming to the demonization of traditional foods like raw milk.
But it's also a reminder that we have the power to take back control of our food and our health. By supporting small, local farmers who prioritize the health of their animals and the quality of their products, we can create a more sustainable and nutrient-dense food system for everyone
And by educating ourselves about the true risks and benefits of raw milk (and other traditional foods), we can make informed choices about what we put into our bodies and the bodies of our children.
So the next time you hear someone say that raw milk is dangerous, or that pasteurization is the only way to ensure food safety, remember the untold story of raw milk. Remember the farmers who are fighting to preserve this traditional food, and the millions of people who are rediscovering its benefits.
The above was written and shared by The Meat Mafia. Read the full article here or check out their Podcast and Newsletter.
Health & Freedom
Regardless of the nutritional value and history of raw milk, it should be the consumer’s choice if they want to buy raw milk, not the government.
There are hundreds of studies on the negative consequences of cigarettes, alcohol, and ultra-processed sugars yet they all remain legal and celebrated. We are not saying that these should be illegal, but rather that if they are, raw milk most certainly should be even if a few people see risks behind it.
Think about the consequences of legalizing raw milk:
more consumer choice
more competition - cheaper prices
more support to local farmers
more tax revenue
health for individuals (save on healthcare expenses)
On top of that, there is no health risk to those who choose not to consume it.
Other States
Fully legal states have great things to say about it. The farmers and the people are happy. And more and more states are beginning to recognize the benefits of legalizing it.
States Where Retail Sale of Raw Milk is Legal
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Idaho
Maine
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Nevada
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Utah
Washington
States Where Farm Sales are Legal (With Varying Restrictions)
Arkansas
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New York
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
States Where Cow-share/Herdshare Agreements are Legal
Alaska
Colorado
Indiana
Ohio
South Dakota
States Where Raw Milk Sales are Legal Only for Pet Consumption
Florida
Georgia
States Where the Sale of Raw Milk is Illegal
Alabama
Delaware
Hawaii
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
New Jersey
North Carolina
Rhode Island
States with Ambiguous or Complex Laws
Wisconsin: Limited farm sales are legal under certain conditions.
Michigan: Cow-share agreements are legal, but other forms of sale are restricted.
North Carolina: Cow-share agreements are legal, but other forms of sale are restricted.
Conclusion
To conclude, raw milk is a superfood loaded with the most popular vitamins, minerals, and more.
Regardless of whether people recognize it or not, like alcohol, cigarettes, and processed sugars it still should be legal for consumers to choose for themselves.
The solution to bacteria issues from milk is not pasteurization, but rather better farming practices. Better farming practices are better for the local community as well as it lead to better soil, healthier animals, a more nutritious food supply, and fewer chemicals dripping into downstream water supply.
More and more states are legalizing or considering the legalization of raw milk as these things become more and more recognized.