That IS the question for those dabbling in extreme nutrition experiments...and especially for those indulging in raw dairy products. Most of us are either on the fence, indifferent, or in the dark about what cooking foods actually means and how we feel it affects our health. The raw movement has gained much momentum in the recent past, and in my opinion, for good reason. Though I firmly believe in maintaining a balance of eating raw and cooked foods, there are certain food groups that should remain untouched-namely dairy and grains.
If we really examine what lies at the root of most disease, not so surprisingly, we find it to be poor dietary habits. Guys, we live in America- the crap capitol of the world in terms of ethnic cuisine and food quality, and we eat on-the-go: ALL THE TIME- even when we are stationary. You think your cereal and milk isn't on-the-go food just because you're sitting on the couch in your pajamas leisurely enjoying your third bowl? Think again. In this country, we find a way to do everything at double speed. And because of that, our health is in extreme danger, and has been for years. The absence of symptoms does not mean that the disease process is not en route to manifestation. Once it is manifested, it is usually too late. But, there is something you can do about it, and it is quite simple: eat right and think before you eat. Consider what food processing does to whole, natural foods. Sure, there is a said benefit to pasteurizing (cooking) dairy: we kill pathogenic and spoilage organisms, but at the same time, we kill probiotics and denature proteins to an indigestible degree. If it takes a fever of 106 degrees or greater to denature human proteins, think about what a temperature of over 120 degrees (pasteurization temps) can do to cow proteins.....And you ask why almost 100% of the world is cow dairy intolerant? We are just not built to eat machine-adultered foods.
I'll break it down for you, with absolutely zero disrespect to the brilliant Louis Pasteur: An untouched dairy product is naturally equipped with an intact immune system (probiotics) to fight off dangerous bugs. Pasteurizing milk means killing that immunity. If a microbe invades a treated dairy product, that product has no defense, whereas if a bacterium sneaks into raw milk, that milk is well equipped to fight off disease. The pasteurization process entails heating milk at high temperatures for long periods of time. During this time, heat is applied to the fatty acids in the milk, creating rancid carcinogenic particles, also known as cancer. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be eating cancer. Ever.
On the same note, the processing of wheat and other grains whether to create "whole wheat" or plain white flour products, subjects the trace amounts of fat and proteins in the grain to the same oxidizing process and is also carcinogenic. Sprouting grains, on the other hand (a technique used to make flourless breads such as Food for Life's "Ezekiel" variety) is a low-no heat process that involves soaking the whole grain, allowing for it to open up, increasing the bioavailability of it's B vitamins and other nutrients, which are usually depleted in the refining process. Sprouting also maintains the fiber content of the grain and challenges the body's digestive tract, while processed grains that are turned into flour are devoid of fiber and are too easily digested, therefore spiking blood sugar levels. So...seeing as reading this blog does not entail registering in food processing 101, I think I have communicated more than you want to know. The take home message: use sprouted grains instead of refined grains, and try to avoid processed dairy products (especially cow dairy as goat, sheep and buffalo are cleaner and less processed animal products). Our local whole foods markets are well equipped with alternatives such as raw dairy as well as goat, sheep or buffalo cheeses, yogurts, butter and milk. And for the love of god, take all of my advice with a grain of salt- you decide, a Nabisco Oreo dipped in 2 % Knudsen, or a Blessings "Raweo" with Organic Pastures colostrum....yum! (The better, I mean latter option found at Erewhon Natural Foods in WeHo).
Posted by Jen Katz
This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition.