The Benefits of Milk: An Outpouring of Only Half the Evidence?

I had difficulty believing that you would actually publish “Outpouring of Evidence” (Oct. 22). I wouldn’t be surprised if the article was funded by the National Dairy Council, as are the majority of the studies touting the supposed benefits of dairy consumption.

I believe you have done your reading public an enormous disservice by publishing this one-sided, misinformative article. To call dairy products “lifesaving” is unthinkable.

ANDREA L. BELL

Long Beach

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“Outpouring of Evidence” failed to mention that researchers have found links between milk and ovarian cancer, allergies, food intolerance, diabetes, heart disease, cataracts, infertility and colic in babies. A study of more than 1,700 people published just this month in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that a diet rich in milk, cheese and meat leads to an increased risk in stomach and esophageal cancers.

I urge your readers to research the facts before downing even one more glass of milk.

KATHY GUILLERMO

Correspondent, People for the

Ethical Treatment of Animals

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The writer mistakenly uses the terms “calcium” and “dairy products” interchangeably. They are not the same. Some of the countries referred to, such as China and Japan, consume no dairy products. These and other countries as well consume lots of vegetables.

This provides top-grade calcium with none of the high fat, bovine growth hormone, allergy or other food-borne contaminants of milk. There is no reason for adults to consume milk with its attendant risks since vegetables also contain fiber and phytochemicals and milk does not.

DAVID MEYERS

Tujunga

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Only by ignoring crucial facts could your article on cow’s milk suggest it is a good food choice for human beings. The article implied milk is needed for calcium, yet a dairy-free diet can provide plenty of that essential mineral. And it failed to consider effects on animals and the environment of continued cow and milk production.

Dairy facilities have increasingly become animal factories. And although humans may or may not be harmed by recombinant bovine growth hormone injected into cows to increase milk production, cows suffer terribly from it.

DAVID J. CANTOR

Investigations Department

Farm Sanctuary