Healthy Body

Got Milk? Raw milk, that is? There is an interesting debate between proponents and opponents of raw milk who have been asked this question: Is raw milk suitable for children? Before you weigh in with your verdict, here are the nuts and bolts of why this subject has become so intense.

The basis upon which these two sides cannot agree has to do with pasteurization. Raw milk has bacteria, but so does pasteurized milk. The difference is that the E. coli bacteria found in raw milk is less prevalent than in milk that has been pasteurized. Research has shown that children who are given raw milk develop a resistance to such diseases as pneumonia, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and other related illnesses. While we know that there is a high level of calcium in milk, scientists found that the growth of children drinking raw milk was far superior to those who did not ingest raw milk.

If you think about countries such as Africa, for example, part of the Masai’s diet is goat’s milk. In other countries and regions where people rely on cows and other animals to provide nutrients, raw milk is at the top of the list.

While it is true that cows should be healthy and the milk should be fresh, scientific data has proven that raw milk has been found to be good for children, and that it contains high concentrations of calcium, iodine, and protein which are essential components in promoting good health.

On the other side of the aisle are the opponents of raw milk who strongly suggest that raw milk is as bad as poison. Their rationale is that children develop tuberculosis which is caused by the germs contained in raw milk. While scientists generally discount this theory, there was a study which disclosed that one child out of seventy developed this disease. The research goes on to admit that fourteen children who drank pasteurized milk, however, developed TB.

There is another part of the equation that these debates inject. According to opponents, farmers would have to purchase machinery to process the raw milk. What if they can’t afford to? Proponents would counter with this argument: what did everyone do before Louis Pasteur came along?

While we know that pasteurization removes some nutrients and good bacteria, there is no scientific data that suggests raw milk is a bad thing. As a matter of fact, the data indicates that children and adults have become ill from drinking pasteurized milk as opposed to raw milk.

So there’s the debate in a nutshell. Considering that so much research has been done to explain the effects of raw milk versus pasteurized milk, it seems possible that this discussion is largely based on a political agenda and not the nutritional benefits derived therein.

While approximately 1% of the population prefers drinking raw milk because of its many health benefits, there is a one question that should be addressed: is it okay to drink raw milk during pregnancy? Proponents would argue yes; however, the consensus among doctors as well as the National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are definitive in their answer – an unequivocal no. Here are the reasons why pregnant women should not ingest raw milk.

Raw milk that is not “clean” or does not go through the pasteurization process contains harmful bacteria such as listeria, salmonella, and E. coli. It is estimated that pregnant women are more likely to develop listeriosis than healthier adults. This can be extremely harmful not only to the pregnant woman but the fetus as well.

For example, there is a domino effect which can cause a myriad of problems. According to doctors, there are hormonal changes in a pregnant woman which can affect the course of treatment. While medication may cure the illness, it may affect the unborn fetus. How? It can cause miscarriages, illness, and even death. Even if the newborn survives, the immune system in an infant is not fully developed and their illness can become even more pronounced which would require appropriate medications to treat the newborn. This is the domino effect.

While it is true that raw milk that is clean and acquired from a farmer whose practices are beyond repute can be utilized, there is always the possibility that the bacteria can cause severe illness in a pregnant woman, which in turn can affect the fetus. Although it is also true that the “good” bacterium in raw milk plays an important role in preventing diseases among children, it can have an opposite effect in women who are pregnant.

In addition, any foods that are made from raw milk, such as cheeses, can also be harmful to pregnant women. Some of the symptoms associated with drinking or eating foods derived from raw milk can include vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and body aches.

There are a number of online blogs wherein women state they have been drinking raw milk during and after pregnancy. Some even swear by its benefits. They have not developed any illness from it and their babies are born healthy. In fact, some women state that raw milk is part of their family’s diet.

While the controversy surrounding the question of drinking raw milk during pregnancy will no doubt continue, since the data suggests that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing illness, one has to conclude that pregnant women should not drink raw milk.

Undoubtedly you’ve seen a child try to lift something that is too heavy for them and they tend to hold their breath. This results in their face becoming so red because they held their breath too long. The same applies to breathing and exercise. Most kids, as well as adults, tend to hold their breath at the wrong time.

Traditionally, using weight training for example, one is supposed to exhale during exertion and inhale on the release. It’s not an easy thing to do, and most kids perform this process the opposite way, as do some adults.

There is one way to correct kids breathing technique before engaging in an exercise routine; that is, 5 to 10 minutes of yoga. Yoga breathing illustrates the proper way to breathe and also allows you to become acutely aware of how you breathe.

For example, a child could be asked to sit on the floor with legs crossed. When asked to breathe in, he is told to look at his stomach and notice how it rises when he breathes in. As he continues to breathe in, his chest will move slightly up as he inhales. Both the abdomen and the chest then return to normal as he slowly exhales.Â

Once experienced in yoga breathing, anyone can inhale filling the abdomen then the chest; and exhale from the chest and then the abdomen. It takes practice but this is what is known as a deep cleansing breathing.

Once kids understand the process of breathing, they will be able to utilize it in their exercise routine. In addition, kids should not show any strain or become red-faced, as this is a sign they are breathing improperly or holding their breath. This can cause injury during an exercise routine as well.

There are wonderful sites online in which you can print out instructions on teaching yoga and how to breathe properly during exercise. The two go hand in hand. Once kids master the breathing technique during yoga, they will have no problem in executing breathing techniques during exercise.

It is estimated that over 3 million kids suffer injuries when exercising, whether it’s running, bike riding, or becoming overheated due to overexertion. In an effort to avoid any injuries, kids need to follow safety guidelines when involved in any form of rigorous or playful exercises.

Running: Stretching exercises should be performed to prepare the body for any type of physical activity. In addition, kids should cool down after each activity.

Bike Riding:Â Wearing a helmet, elbow and knee pads will protect kids from serious injury if they fall off or have a collision while riding.

Sports: When playing any type of sport, proper gear should be worn to protect kids from injury, including helmets, and knee and elbow pads. Notice should be taken to ensure the playground or park is in ideal condition for kids to play, as well as any equipment utilized in parks such as swings, monkey bars, teeter-totters, and other stationary equipment which kids utilize.

Dehydration:Â When running or engaging in any sport, drinking water should be a primary concern so that kids do not overheat and/or pass out from heat exhaustion.

Health: Before any kids begin exercise routines or participate in sports, it is a good idea to have them checked by a physician to ensure they are physically able to exercise in any form. Some kids may be limited due to conditions such as asthma.

Supervision: Kids who play in parks or on sports teams require supervision, that is, a parent or sports doctor who can assist an injured child while, at the same time, ensuring the kids are having a good time.

Exercising can be a fun activity, but oftentimes kids may not realize they are overexerting themselves and can run into a problem. More importantly, they may feel invincible when taking on an exercise such as bike riding or team sports and not wear the proper equipment. Encouraging kids to exercise and participate in sports is important, but teaching them the proper way to do it, without injury, is paramount.