Milk?

June 5th, 2021| Topic: RaMbLeS | 0

Milk is now good for you. Not just for your bones, but also for your heart.

Or so saith researchers from University College London and University of South Australia in “Evidence for a Causal Association Between Milk Intake and Cardiometabolic Disease Outcomes,” published in International Journal of Obesity the other day.

They pooled data from multiple international studies looking at almost 2 million individuals in the UK and USA. Those with a genetic predisposition (“lactase persistence” that helps one digest the milk protein) that enabled them to consume large quantities of mild were less prone to cardiovascular illnesses. Previous studies had shown that dairy products were generally bad for cardiac health because of their saturated fat and cholesterol and their being a major source of calcium and a risk factor for arterial calcification. But there appears to be a growing body of evidence that shows this idea not to be entirely correct.

Lead author, nutritionist Professor Vimal Karani:

We found that among participants with a genetic variation that we associated with higher milk intake, they had higher BMI, body fat, but importantly had lower levels of good and bad cholesterol. We also found that those with the genetic variation had a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease. All of this suggests that reducing the intake of milk might not be necessary for preventing cardiovascular diseases.”

So, your chance of suffering from heart disease is now declared to be significantly lower if you drink milk regularly. Risk was slashed by 14%! And these milk-drinkers were also found to have lower levels of cholesterol, to boot. Plus they were 11% less prone to type 2 diabetes.

Our large-scale … study provides genetic evidence for the association of milk consumption with higher BMI but lower serum cholesterol levels. These data suggest no need to limit milk intakes with respect to cardiovascular disease risk.”

How this works, we don’t know yet. Prof. Karani again:

The study certainly shows that milk consumption is not a significant issue for cardiovascular disease risk even though there was a small rise in BMI and body fat among milk drinkers. What we do note in the study is that it remains unclear whether it is the fat content in dairy products that is contributing to the lower cholesterol levels or it is due to an unknown ‘milk factor.’”

Well, the Bible seems to agree, seeing the foundational teachings of Scripture as “milk.”

“The word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word which was preached to you.
Therefore … like newborn babies,
long for the pure milk of the word,
so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.
1 Peter 1:25–2:2

Yup, “milk” is essential for growth.

But the Bible also reminds us to go beyond milk, the foundation, to “solid food,” as one continues to grow.

For everyone who partakes [only] of milk
is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice
have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Therefore … let us press on to maturity.
Hebrews 5:13–6:1

And to harder aspects of Christian faith and practice.

Otherwise, one is not growing!

And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as to spiritual people,
but as to people of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food;
for you were not yet able to receive it.
1 Corinthians 3:1–2

Yes to “milk,” but on to “meat.”

SOURCES:
Study Finds; International Journal of Obesity