Dr Ken Berry | Why You Should Avoid Cow Dairy (Milk & Cheese)

Summary

The video discusses the controversial role of dairy in human diets, highlighting that most adults globally lack the enzyme to digest lactose after childhood. It suggests that while infant consumption of milk is natural, continued consumption into adulthood may be problematic due to inflammation caused by lactose and bovine proteins. Alternatives like goat's or sheep's milk are proposed for infants unable to breastfeed. The video also differentiates between types of dairy, noting that fermented and hard cheeses, butter, and ghee are less inflammatory, advocating for a dairy-free experiment to assess individual tolerance and health impacts.

Takeaways

• 🍼 Infants generally consume milk up to 4-6 years old, which is a natural part of human development.
• 🔄 Most adults lose the ability to break down lactose after childhood, affecting their ability to digest milk.
• 🌐 Geographically, a significant majority of the world's population is lactose intolerant.
• 🚫 The speaker suggests that the consumption of milk by adults may not be natural or beneficial due to evolutionary and biochemical changes.
• 🥛 For infants unable to breastfeed, alternatives like goat's milk or A2 cow's milk are suggested, but finding a wet nurse is considered safest.
• 🧀 Cheese, being a fermented dairy product, may be less inflammatory for some people compared to fresh milk.
• 🍰 The least inflammatory dairy products are considered to be butter and ghee, which are pure fat and have minimal protein.
• 🚫 The script suggests that consuming dairy as an adult is not ancestrally appropriate for humans.
• 🧬 Evolution may be enabling some people to digest lactose as adults, but this does not imply it is without issues for everyone.
• 🧘‍♂️ The speaker recommends a dairy-free experiment for those experiencing chronic inflammation or weight loss issues, suggesting it could be beneficial for 30-60 days.
• 📚 In the book 'Keto Flex', it is suggested to initially remove cow dairy and consume alternatives like sheep milk in moderation to reduce inflammation.

Q & A

Is it okay for children to drink dairy until they are four to six years old according to the video?

Yes, the video suggests that drinking dairy isn't a big deal for human babies up until about four or five years old, as it has been a part of our existence throughout history.

What happens around the age of four to six years old in relation to lactose digestion?

The video explains that around this age, most people's biochemical machinery begins to shut off the ability to break down lactose, making it difficult for them to digest milk.

What percentage of adults worldwide cannot break down lactose according to the video?

The video states that two-thirds or more of adults worldwide cannot break down lactose, indicating that the ability to digest lactose is the exception rather than the rule among adults.

What alternative sources of milk are suggested for infants if breast milk is not available?

The video suggests trying goat's milk or sheep's milk, preferably A2 cow's milk, as alternatives to breast milk for infants.

What is a 'wet nurse' and why is it recommended over formula or milk from another mammal species?

A 'wet nurse' is a friend who is also breastfeeding. The video recommends finding a wet nurse to buy breast milk from as it is considered safer and more appropriate than switching to formula or using the milk of another mammal species.

Is consuming dairy considered ancestrally appropriate for adult human beings according to the video?

No, the video states that ingesting any dairy is not ancestrally appropriate for adult human beings, as it was not part of the human diet after weaning until relatively recently in history.

Which components of milk are considered the most problematic in terms of inflammation?

The video identifies lactose as the biggest culprit for causing inflammation, followed by the proteins and amino acids in dairy milk.

Why might fermented cheese be less inflammatory for some people compared to milk?

The video explains that the process of fermentation bends the protein molecules in cheese, which can make it more tolerable for some people who are sensitive to the proteins in milk.

What types of dairy are considered the least inflammatory according to the video?

The video suggests that butter and ghee, which are essentially 100% fat, are the least inflammatory of all dairy products.

What is the advice given in the video regarding cheese consumption for those following a keto or carnivore diet?

The video advises that cheese should be an occasional treat for those on a keto or carnivore diet, and that a dairy-free experiment might be beneficial for those experiencing chronic inflammation or gut issues.

What is the recommendation for people who are trying to reduce inflammation and get into ketosis according to the video?

The video recommends removing all cow dairy, possibly switching to sheep milk in moderation, and focusing on reducing inflammation as part of the process of getting into ketosis.

Outlines

00:00

🥛 The Role and Concerns of Dairy Consumption

This paragraph discusses the role of dairy in human diets, particularly the shift in our biochemical ability to digest lactose after childhood. It points out that the majority of adults globally are lactose intolerant, suggesting that continued consumption of dairy beyond infancy may not be natural. The speaker also addresses the inflammatory potential of bovine proteins in milk and suggests alternatives like goat's or sheep's milk, especially the A2 variant, for those unable to breastfeed. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of finding a wet nurse for a safer and more natural alternative to infant formula or other mammal milk. It also raises the question of whether these concerns extend to cheese consumption and hints at the differences between various types of cheese.

05:01

🧀 Cheese and Dairy Intolerance: Exploring Fermented Options

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of dairy intolerance and the potential for different types of cheese to cause inflammation. It explains that hard, fermented cheeses like Parmesan are generally less inflammatory due to the long fermentation process that alters their protein structure. The speaker shares personal experiences with cheese consumption, noting that while they love cheese, it can lead to bloating and other discomforts if consumed regularly. The paragraph suggests that individuals on a keto or carnivore diet might benefit from a dairy-free experiment to assess their body's response, particularly if they are experiencing chronic inflammation or difficulty losing weight. It concludes by recommending the removal of cow dairy and moderation in consuming other types of dairy, such as sheep milk, to reduce inflammation while entering ketosis.

Keywords

💡Dairy

Dairy refers to products derived from milk, including cheese, milk, and yogurt. In the video, the role of dairy in human nutrition is discussed, particularly its potential to cause inflammation and other health concerns. The script suggests that while drinking milk may not be a problem for young children, most adults lack the enzyme lactase necessary to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, indicating that dairy consumption might not be suitable for everyone.

💡Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition where individuals cannot properly digest lactose due to the absence of lactase enzyme. The video mentions that a majority of the world's adult population is lactose intolerant, which is a significant point in the discussion about the suitability of dairy products in an adult's diet.

💡Inflammation

Inflammation is part of the body's immune response to harmful stimuli, but chronic inflammation can lead to health issues. The script suggests that certain proteins and amino acids in dairy can be inflammatory for some people, which is a key concern when discussing the consumption of dairy products.

💡Bovine Proteins

Bovine proteins are proteins found in cow's milk. The video script points out that these proteins can be problematic for some individuals, causing inflammation and other adverse reactions, especially when compared to human breast milk proteins.

💡A2 Milk

A2 milk is a type of cow's milk that contains only the A2 beta-casein protein, as opposed to the A1 beta-casein protein found in regular milk. The script suggests that A2 milk might be less likely to cause gastrointestinal problems, indicating it as a potentially better option for those who can consume dairy.

💡Wet Nurse

A wet nurse is a woman who breastfeeds another's child, typically her own milk not being available. The video recommends finding a wet nurse as a safer alternative to formula or milk from another mammal species for infants who cannot be breastfed.

💡Cheese

Cheese is a dairy product made from milk, often involving fermentation and the removal of lactose. The script discusses different types of cheese and their varying levels of inflammation potential, with fermented and hard cheeses being less inflammatory for most people.

💡Fermented Cheese

Fermented cheese is cheese that has undergone a process of fermentation, which can alter the proteins and reduce lactose content. The video suggests that fermented cheese might be more tolerable for some individuals with dairy sensitivities.

💡Butter and Ghee

Butter and ghee are dairy fats that have had most of the milk proteins and lactose removed. The script identifies these as the least inflammatory components of dairy, suitable even for those with lactose intolerance or dairy protein sensitivities.

💡Keto Diet

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that aims to put the body into a state of ketosis. The video mentions the keto diet in the context of dairy consumption, noting that while cheese is keto-friendly, it may not be suitable for everyone due to potential inflammation.

💡Paleo Diet

The paleo diet is a nutritional plan based on the idea of eating like our Paleolithic ancestors, focusing on whole foods and avoiding processed items. The script implies that consuming dairy as adults may not align with a paleo diet, as there is no evidence of regular adult consumption of breast milk in paleo anthropological records.

Highlights

Dairy consumption is not problematic for children up to four to six years old, as it aligns with historical human practices.

Most adults globally lose the ability to break down lactose, suggesting that continued dairy consumption may not be natural.

A minority of the world's population retains lactose tolerance, indicating a potential evolutionary change in dairy consumption.

Bovine proteins in dairy can be inflammatory for adults, even if lactose is tolerable.

Alternatives to cow's milk, such as goat's or sheep's milk, particularly A2 cow's milk, may cause fewer gastrointestinal issues.

The recommendation to find a wet nurse for infants unable to breastfeed is considered safer than using formula or milk from another mammal.

Cheese and other dairy products are not ancestrally appropriate for adult human consumption.

The three macronutrients in milk—fat, protein, and carbohydrate (lactose)—each have varying levels of inflammatory potential.

Fermented cheese and heavy cream, which contain little lactose and protein, may be less inflammatory for some individuals.

Butter and ghee, being pure fat, are the least inflammatory components of dairy.

Adult consumption of human breast milk, while species-appropriate, is not age-appropriate and lacks historical precedent.

Hard cheeses like Parmesan, fermented for long periods, are generally less inflammatory than other types of cheese.

Individuals vary in their tolerance to dairy; some may experience bloating and joint discomfort with regular cheese consumption.

A dairy-free experiment can help identify if dairy is contributing to chronic inflammation or weight loss resistance.

In the book 'Keto Flex', a dairy-free period is recommended to reduce inflammation and facilitate ketosis.

The transcript suggests that while cheese is keto and carnivore friendly, it may not be suitable for everyone due to potential inflammatory effects.

Transcripts

what about the role of dairy you have a

good video on your youtube channel is

dairy scary

inflammation obesity and the concerns

around it so talk about dairy

until the time you're about four five to

six years old

uh drinking dairy i don't think is that

big of a deal because all human babies

for the our entire existence on this

planet

drink milk up until about four or five

years old

but at about that time our our

biochemical machinery starts to shut

off the ability to break down lactose

right and then and so the majority of

adults in the world and when i say this

in the united states

like wait what the majority two-thirds

or more

of human beings on the planet cannot

drink milk

they cannot uh break down lactose into

uh lactulose and glucose they can't do

that i mean galactose and glucose they

they don't have the machinery to do that

with anymore and so it's only a minority

of people on the planet

who can drink milk after the age of five

or six or seven years old

that's a huge red flag that we we

probably shouldn't do that now it looks

like we are

evolving the ability to do that for

those of us who have been around

a situation where we can consume milk as

an adult

but that doesn't mean that evolution is

complete it doesn't mean that

uh even if you can tolerate the lactose

the problem is

is that many of the bovine proteins and

amino are

in amino acids are inflammatory too

many of us and as an adult and so

if you just can't find a source of

breast milk for

your infant i think it's fine to try

goat's milk or sheep's milk

cow's milk if you try that try to make

it an a2

cow's milk could be more likely to have

less gastrointestinal problems

but i would strongly encourage anybody

who's trying to breastfeed and can't

to find a wet nurse which is a friend

who's also breastfeeding

and see if you can't buy breast milk

from them that's a

in my opinion a thousand times safer

than than

switching your baby to formula and a

hundred times safer

to than putting them on the the breast

milk of another mammal species

so is this also relevant to actually

eating cheese and if you are going to

eat cheese are there better

better variations of the cheese to have

yeah that's a great question

so i i'll just tell you i don't think

that

ingesting any dairy is ancestrally

appropriate

for adult human beings okay now i know

all my keto and carnivore brother and

sister out there i know i know i love

cheese too okay but that doesn't make it

ancestrally appropriate uh before

about five or six thousand years ago the

only time a human being

ever ingested dairy products was when

they were nursing their mother's breast

as soon as they were weaned for the rest

of their life they

never ingested any dairy again for the

rest of their life

so there's three components to milk

three macronutrients right

there's there's fat there's protein and

there's carbohydrate

and the the carbohydrate is the lactose

right the galactose and glucose

so that's the biggest culprit in my

opinion in dairy

the next is the protein and i think for

many of us we are either a little bit

or a lot a bit inflamed from the protein

and amino acids

in some dairy milk now some of us don't

seem to be bothered at all

others of us can take one sip of milk

and 10 minutes later you're like yep

that was a mistake

even if it's lactose free milk many

people cannot

ingest it or they're going to have

problems so

when you take all of the lactose all of

the

the carbs out that helps a lot of people

and when you take most of the protein

out that helps a lot of people so if

you're talking about heavy cream

or a real fermented cheese then you're

getting none of the lactose

and you're getting very little of the

protein

in its native form so the reason cheese

turns from a liquid to a solid

is because there's a microbe that the

the cheese maker i bet there's a sexy

word for that but i can't think of it

they use this microbe to bend the

protein molecule

right that's what the microbe eats up

the lactose

and then the basically the toxins of the

microbe

bend the protein molecule that's what

turns cheese in from a liquid to a solid

that bending of the protein molecule

seems to make it

much more okay with many of us and

that's why a lot of people who cannot

drink milk they can eat cheese and it's

not a big deal

but i think even for some of us real

fermented full-fat cheese

is still an inflammatory problem a

bloating problem

and causes issues i think the least

offensive

of the dairy products are butter and

ghee which are essentially 100

of the fat the fat is the least

inflammatory and the least defensive of

all the macronutrients found in dairy

and that's why virtually anybody even

somebody with a severe lactose

intolerance or almost a

anaphylactic response to some of the

proteins in dairy they can still eat

ghee

because it's 100 percent the fat and so

i think the worst criminal in dairy is

the is the lactose the next

worst criminal for many of us is the

inappropriate bovine

or caprine or ovine proteins that

are would not be found in a human milk

and then the least defensive is the fat

now there are people out there

who are as adults they buy human breast

milk to drink if they're trying to

you know bulk up and i think if you're

trying to become

inappropriately muscular that's probably

a good hack

but so there but we don't have a single

uh

incidence we don't we have no evidence

in the paleo anthropological evidence

that adults ever drink breast milk on a

regular basis

so even that although it's species

appropriate

it's not age appropriate and so when

you're weaned from your mother's breasts

and it looks like the hunter gatherers

did that at

somewhere between three and six years of

age that's when you should be done

with liquid dairy for sure and then for

many of us

all dairy except for for butter and ghee

so let's get specific to the types of

cheeses right because you said fermented

but what are some of those fermented

ones that are

least less inflammatory versus those

that are actually more inflammatory for

cheeses so the the further it is removed

from liquid milk

the less inflammatory it's going to be

for most people

and so the hard cheeses like parmesan

the cheeses that are fermented for a

really long time

uh the the very hard cheeses those are

going to be the least inflammatory for

the

most people now notice i said least in

most there not any and all

there are some of us and i'm one of

these people i freaking

love cheeseburger i just let me just go

to condition here

freaking love every kind of cheese on

the planet

but if i eat too much cheese if cheese

is a daily food for me

i'm going to start bloating and i'm

going to start getting just a little bit

of joint tweakiness

and i'm going to start having dunlap

that's where your belly start

done lapped over your belt if i eat

these on a daily basis so for me

personally cheese has to be

just an occasional treat an occasional

dessert

after i've had my meat and i think that

many people

you know when you first come to keto you

don't know you know s about

f as they say on ozarks and so

you got to learn and a lot of people are

taught no jesus 100 keto is totally fine

don't ever worry about it

but that's not true for all of us and i

think the dairy experiment is is

one of the most powerful experiments you

can do on a keto or a carnivore diet

cheese is keto cheese is carnivore no

doubt about it

but that doesn't mean it's right for you

and so if you're still having

weird chronic inflammation weird gut

issues

just can't lose that last 20 pounds it's

time to try

a dairy free month and i think it's fine

to keep butter or ghee in your

dairy free month but you gotta you gotta

get rid of the cheese for a month and

see if that's what's holding up your

progress

it's such a good tip ken because i've

seen that work for a lot of people and

it doesn't have to be indefinitely it

could just be for the next 30 to 60 days

remove it see how your body responds and

maybe you could start to introduce it

slowly

in my book keto flex the first pillar is

i actually recommend that

let's take out all cow dairy let's

switch to sheep and go even that in

moderation

and let's reduce inflammation as we get

you into ketosis

you