Re: Raw dairy illness...studies?

March 8, 2006

> Hi Jill Go to the Westin A Price Foundation web site there is

a wealth of info there and enjoy raw dairy guilt free.

Don in Pa

> I've only been consuming raw cow's milk now for a week, so I can't

> attest to any health benefits (though the taste is smooth and

> luscious). There is so much information on the Internet from both

> sides of the debate, with many citations of illnesses caused by

the

> consumption of raw milk by its opponents.

>

> > .

>

> ,

>

> Jill Sheeler-Shenk, 37

> sdale, AZ

> Mother of a 3.5-year-old son

> Democrat (I threw this in out of curiosity--I imagine this group

is

> a good mix of political persuasions, with a common interest in raw

> dairy. I hope I haven't committed a faux pas.)

>

March 8, 2006

HI Jill , Kat T. here in Clovis, NM . Raw milk is wonderful. I drank it as young person , purchased it straight from the common backyard down the road neighbor. Never ever got sick.. in about 94 I believe all this hormone junk and our milk went even more down hill. I was buying from the stores in my adult life. Surprising though in 94 I had to start taking stomach pills. After all these years I am getting back to raw milk and the pills are not needed. I even sleep better at night. Before I was up with acid and pacing the floor. I had to start taking a larger dose of antacids which eventually reduces your livers ability to make the enzymes your body needs. Since the liver is such a resiliant piece of us thank heavens I have to believe the damage is reveresable once the human diet is improved. We have lots of dairies coming in to this area. They were welcomed but now I

am really burnt. They buy up all the feed they can contract from the farmers around here, stack it in their compounds and let it rot rather than to let the small fellow have any. Farmers are being placed under contracts for their crops before the seed hits the ground. One dairy had a someone diliberately contaminate the bulk tanks , a few more have had accidental fires and all the hay burned and destroyed. I do believe there is strength in numbers and would support any raw dairy group of people who have the savvy to give us back our rights, without all this terror. Can we get a raw milk bumper sticker going for us maybe? Kat Jill wrote: I've only been consuming raw cow's milk now for a week, so I can't attest to any health

benefits (though the taste is smooth and luscious). There is so much information on the Internet from both sides of the debate, with many citations of illnesses caused by the consumption of raw milk by its opponents.Are there any initiatives or long-term studies/data gathering being done to track the incidence of illness due (most likely) to raw dairy consumption? Any analysis that would compare the rates of infection in raw milk AND pasteurized milk drinkers? I see things like "20 people infected by raw milk consumption," and while it may be true, how many thousands of people nationwide consume raw milk and never get sick? I just can't wrap my mind around it.Perhaps the only thing I can do for now is monitor the health of my own family as we consume raw milk. That said, our milk comes from a certified organic dairy, which may make contamination less likely than milk from "farmer Joe/Jane" down the lane.I don't

understand why laws can't just specify that labels on raw milk contain a "warning." And leave the choice up the the people. If people can choose to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and ride a motorcycle without a helmet, why can't we drink raw milk in many states?I know a lot has to do with the powerful dairy lobby, but aren't the people smarter than that? Can't enough voices overpower such entities? I'd like to hope we still can, but I'm getting more cynical.Okay, now I'm rambling. I'll spare you all my mental acrobatics.Moo,Jill Sheeler-Shenk, 37sdale, AZMother of a 3.5-year-old sonDemocrat (I threw this in out of curiosity--I imagine this group is a good mix of political persuasions, with a common interest in raw dairy. I hope I haven't committed a faux pas.)

Yahoo! Mail

Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

March 8, 2006

<<Jill wrote: Perhaps the only thing I can do for now is monitor the health of my own family as we consume raw milk. That said, our milk comes from a certified organic dairy, which may make contamination less likely than milk from "farmer Joe/Jane" down the lane.>>

It pays to make sure you know what the farmers license actually is for. In my area certified organic just applies to feed. It has no bearing on how the animal is housed etc. It also means that those that are shipping the milk are sending it to a commercial market and you are just the gravy money. The "farmer Joe/Jane" may very will be basing their livelihood on people like you and are therefore much more interested in keeping you happy. These are generalities I am stating. Just some ideas to keep your mind open.<<Jill wrote: I don't understand why laws can't just specify that labels on raw milk contain a "warning." And leave the choice up the the people. If people can choose to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and ride a motorcycle without a helmet, why can't we drink raw milk in many states?>>

this is precisely what my family has struggled with along with most dairy farmers I know. Apparently before my time this was the case and they took that right away when dairy boards etc were brought into being. They say it is for health but I don't believe it.

I think what endangers the availability to consume raw milk is also consumer attitude. People have to really believe that it isn't going to make them sick. If you are really that uncomfortable with drinking raw milk then you would do yourself a service to address what about it you don't trust or everytime there is a sniffle in your house you are going to blame the milk. Is the dairy unclean? Is the animal unhealthy? Are you uncomfortable with thier milking practices or the cleanliness of the milk container? Do you pick up very far from home and travel for hours without the milk staying cold? Do you have the opportunity to talk with other people that get milk at the same place? Have there been any problems they know of?

Hope these question help to make you more comfortable with your choice.

Debbie ChikouskyManitoba, Canadagdchik@...http://www.winnipegbeach.com/chikouskyfarms/

March 8, 2006

> I do believe there is strength in numbers and would support any raw dairy group of people who have the savvy to give us back our rights, without all this terror. Can we get a raw milk bumper sticker going for us maybe? > > Kat >

Great idea about a bumper sticker. I'll start working on that and if I come up with anything I'll post the ideas in the Photos of Files section.

Yes, there is strength in numbers. Unfortunately it seems that raw milk (and wholesome food) consumers/producers are just not out in the open enough. What about organizing marches, either in Washington or locally? Has anyone out there done this in your community?

I want to clarify some things from my previous post... I'm 100 percent fine with consuming raw dairy. My questions about studies of illness rates has more to do with providing scientific and independently reviewed evidence (more than anecdotal) that debunks the opposition's arguments and statistics. Something that would stand up to the Supreme Court, if anything ever got that far. I assume this would be very hard to gather. Okay, so maybe so many people got sick as a result of contaminated raw milk (says so-and-so); how many more have had no problem, and even have had positive health effects? And how many got sick from so-called safe, pasteurized dairy products?

Also, when referring to monitoring my own family's health, it has more to do with how I can, in good conscience, urge others I know to go the raw dairy route. I can quote all kinds of sources, but I believe the most powerful testimony is personal. I just need more time before I can say, "We've been drinking raw milk now for [insert a time span] and it's been so positive because..." I'm a person who doesn't just take people's word--I need to experience it for myself, and I want to urge others to do the same. To get past the unsubstantiated fear that "the machine" has instilled in our hearts.

I'll check the Weston A. Price Foundation page and do some more reading. It's funny, because I'm not an activist type person, but it just seems ridiculous to me that something like this should be so vehemently opposed or silenced or underground or fringe or whatever it is. Let it be out in the open and let people decide for themselves, right?

I also did not mean to imply that milk from non-certified sources was not safe. In states where the sale of raw milk is illegal, people who obtain it from a local dairy farmer no doubt have a personal relationship and know what they're getting. And I agree that just because something is "certified" doesn't mean it's superior.

Thanks to all who responded. I'm learning so much from this raw dairy group.

Moo,Jill of the Desert

March 8, 2006

I have always believed that changes will come about at the hands of consumers not farmers. We just stand to lose too much by becoming activists and the powers that be are generally fuelled by the consuming dollar. The consumer has nothing to lose by publicly declaring their stance whereas most farmers are walking a fine line with providing those people with raw dairy products. Geez if this list is 900 strong that is proof to me that the consumer is winning.