Eating dairy can make you infertile

There is something fundamentally strange about humans consuming dairy products. Just think about it. We are the only species on the planet that drinks the breast milk of another mammal! In this article we will examine why this beloved and popular food can be so detrimental to your fertility.

Breast milk, whether human or cow, is designed for the young of that species for a limited period of time, before they can eat sold food, period.

In this article we will examine why this beloved and popular food can be so detrimental to your fertility.

We stop producing the enzyme lactase when we are young children (between 2 and 5 years old). This enzyme helps break down lactose, the main sugar found in dairy products.

Let’s look at some statistics about lactose intolerance:

– 75% of adults worldwide are lactose intolerant
– 30-50 million Americans are lactose intolerant
– 80% of African Americans are lactose intolerant
– 75% of Native Americans are lactose intolerant
– 90% of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant

When you eat dairy and are lactose intolerant, your gut becomes inflamed. This increases mucus production in the digestive system. The mucus prevents other nutrients from being absorbed. Excessive mucus production can also occur in the nose, lungs, and reproductive system. This is why nasal cold and asthma-like reactions are common in people who cannot tolerate dairy. Mucus in the reproductive system can be excessive and make it difficult for sperm to travel through the uterus and fallopian tubes to the egg.

One study found that a major source of animal-derived estrogens in the human diet is milk and dairy products, accounting for 60-70% of estrogens consumed. Humans consume cow’s milk in the second half of pregnancy when estrogen levels are high. Due to the genetic modification of dairy cows (such as Holstein), it is very possible that the milk consumed today is not the same as it was 100 years ago. These cows are fed a combination of grass and concentrates (grain/protein mixes and various by-products) that allows them to nurse during the second half of pregnancy.

We often associate dairy and milk consumption with calcium, never thinking about what else we might be consuming along with calcium (and dairy, by the way, isn’t the best source of calcium). Here is a list of hormones that have been found in cow’s milk:

Prolactin, Somatostatin, Melatonin, Oxytocin, Growth Hormone, Lutein Releasing Hormone, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Estrogens, Progesterone, Insulin, Corticosteroids and many more. Do you think that an excessive consumption of all these hormones could upset your own hormonal balance? Bet!

Milk consumption has been linked to some cases of male infertility. Studies have found more concentrated pesticides in cheese than in non-organic fruits and vegetables. Excessive exposure to estrogens and pesticides has been linked to polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. The first line of naturopathic treatment for PCOS and endometriosis is to minimize the intake of animal products. Animal products are high in hormones, pesticides, and herbicides that are known endocrine disruptors. They wreak havoc on your hormones and this can lead to anovulation.

If you think you are addicted to cheese and milk. Guess what? You are! Milk contains natural morphine, codeine and other opiates. The feel-good chemicals are in the milk so the calf will become addicted to the milk and bond with the mother in order to survive. Morphine = Pleasure, so the calf associates pleasure with drinking milk and comes back for more.

The same chemicals make it into your cheese, which is why so many people love to eat cheese. In Switzerland, it was reported that people in this cheese-loving country consume an average of 20kg of cheese per year!

Like all addictions, it will take some time to get over it. The brain takes 21 days to break or acquire a habit. Go 21 days without cheese and you will stop having cravings. But beware, like all opiates, it only takes one bite to get hooked again.

Look, I’m not saying never eat dairy again (although, if you’re dairy intolerant, you’d be doing yourself a world of good). It’s hard to avoid, as it’s found in everything from pizza and creamy pasta sauces to cheesecakes, yogurts, and ice cream. All I’m saying is don’t do it while you’re trying to get pregnant.

In this article we look at the negative effects of dairy on your fertility. It can cause inflammation in the intestine and lead to poor absorption of nutrients. It can negatively affect cervical mucus production and contribute to hormonal imbalances and anovulation. Therefore, as a general rule, avoid dairy unless it is organic and you are not intolerant to it. And avoid it completely if you suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. The best way to find out if you are dairy intolerant is to get an IgG immunoglobulin test. Minimize your intake of animal products and increase your intake of organic vegetables and fiber from fruits, grains, nuts and seeds. You can get all the calcium you need from sesame seeds (tahini), spinach, bok choy, broccoli, seaweed, and dandelion greens.

Sources:

Bernard, N. Breaking the seduction of food: the hidden reasons behind food cravings and 7 steps to end them naturally. New York: St. Martins, 2003.

Ganmaa D, et al. Is milk responsible for male reproductive disorders? medical assumptions. 2001 Oct;57(4):510-4.

Keene, I. Natural Fertility Prescription, Switzerland, 2008.