Greater Risk of Cancer From Low Fat Milk

health conscious people often opt for skim or semi-skim milk thinking it is better for health. Unfortunately, this is proving to be a bad choice when it comes to cancer. There is increasing evidence that dairy milk significantly increases the risk of various types of cancer, but this risk is greater with skim milk.



There are several studies showing that skim milk significantly increases the risk of cancer. Here are just a few of these studies:



- Skim milk, but not other dairy foods, was associated with increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (Yikyung Park, et al, American Journal of Epidemiology 2007 166(11):1270-1279).



- Increasing consumption of skim milk was associated with a greater risk of ovarian cancer (Lawrence H. Kushi, et al, Prospective Study of Diet and Ovarian Cancer, American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 149, No. 1: 21-31).



- Drinking skim or low fat milk increases the overall risk of getting any type of ovarian cancer by 44%. It increases the risk for the most common type of ovarian cancer (called serous tumors) by 66%. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among American women. (Peggy Peck commenting on a Harvard Medical School study of 80,000 nurses showing that women who drink two or more glasses of milk a day have a 44% higher risk of getting ovarian cancer than women who rarely drink milk).



- Low-fat and skim milk were associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer (Larsson SC, et al, Milk and lactose intakes and ovarian cancer risk in the Swedish Mammography Cohort. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004; 30(5): 1353-7).



How does low fat milk cause cancer? The research shows that skim and semi-skim milk provide a particular mix of ingredients that encourage body cells to mutate and proliferate, causing cancer. Dairy milk of all kinds is high in IGF-1 hormones. When milk is consumed, the excess IGF-1 increases the risk of cancer.



This is where skim milk comes in. IGF-1 needs the presence of estrogen metabolites to cause cell mutation and growth. Skim milk, it transpires, provides these harmful estrogen metabolites to a greater extent than other types of milk. This was confirmed in a study in May 2009 that assessed commercial milk (source: D. Farlow, et al, Quantitative measurement of endogenous estrogen metabolites, risk-factors for development of breast cancer, in commercial milk products, Chromatography B, Volume 877, Issue 13, Pages 1327-1334). The study concluded that:



"Overall, skim milk had the smallest quantity of free estrogens. However, the conjugated type that dominated skim milk's profile, 2-hydroxyestrone, is known to be one of the most reactive and potentially risky of the metabolites. That metabolite's concentration in fat-free milk was second only to buttermilk's. Estrogen can amplify the cell-proliferating effects seen with IGF-1."



There are plenty of studies showing that IGF-1 in dairy milk significantly increases the risk of cancer for men and women. Here is just a small selection of those studies:



- The tiny homogenized fat globules carry IGF-1 from milk through the stomach and gut into the bloodstream where they can circulate through the body to exert powerful growth effects. This IGF-1 allows cancers to grow. (Robert Cohen, Milk - The Deadly Poison, Argus Publishing, January 1, 1998, ISBN: 0965919609).



- IGF-1 produces a 10-fold increase in RNA levels of cancer cells. IGF-1 appears to be a critical component in cellular proliferation. (Experimental Cell Research, March, 1994, 211-1).



- IGF-1 accelerates the growth of breast cancer cells. (Science, Vol. 259, January 29, 1993).



- IGF-1 is widely involved in human carcinogenesis. A significant association between IGF-1 and an increased risk of lung, colon, prostate, and pre-menopausal breast cancer has recently been reported. (International Journal of Cancer, 2000 Aug. 87:4).



- Several studies have shown powerful associations between IGF-1 and the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and pre-menopausal breast cancer. (Smith, George Davey, et al. Cancer and insulin-like growth factor-I. British Medical Journal, Vol. 321, October 7, 2000, pp. 847-48).



- IGF-1 can completely take the place of growth hormone in breast tissue....and trigger cell growth without an outside cue. Estrogen can amplify the cell-proliferating effects seen with IGF-1, both in the breast and prostate. Excess of IGF-1 .... puts one at risk for breast cancer.' (Kleinberg, David L., et al, Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I in the Transition from Normal Mammary Development to Preneoplastic Mammary Lesions, Endocr. Rev., Feb 2009; 30: 51 - 74).



To minimize the risks of cancer, simply give up dairy milk and switch to a non-dairy milk such as home-made coconut milk.





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Russell Eaton is the author of "The Foolproof Diet". A free ebook is available showing how to make non-dairy coconut milk and yogurt quickly and easily. Coconut milk makes an ideal substitute for dairy milk because it is non-fattening, nutritious, and absolutely delicious. Claim your free copy now by downloading The Incredible Coconut Book.