I do a lot of myth-busting around here, and it’s usually conventional wisdom that crumbles in the face of scientific evidence. But this time I’m actually siding with conventional wisdom, and busting a myth that’s common in the alternative health community. I addressed this topic in-depth on a recent podcast, but it’s such a common question that I decided to write an article on it for easy reference.
The claim is based on the “acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis,” which I addressed extensively in my ‘Acid-Alkaline Myth’ series a couple months ago. (Check out part two as well.)
For those who missed the articles, this hypothesis states that foods high in phosphate leave an ‘acid ash’ after digestion, thereby lowering serum pH. The body supposedly compensates for this and restores normal blood pH by stealing alkaline minerals (such as calcium) from the bones, thus decreasing bone density.
Dairy products and bone health: one thing conventional wisdom gets right.
Because of their phosphate content, milk and other dairy products are usually considered ‘acid-producing’ foods under this hypothesis. Thus, proponents claim that even though dairy contains calcium and other nutrients that can be used to build bone, dairy’s acidifying effect on the body outweighs its calcium content and results in a net loss of bone density.
Although I’ve already written about the hypothesis as a whole, I want to specifically address the claims regarding dairy for a few reasons. First, because my readership is acutely aware of how many times conventional wisdom has led us astray, I think we’re all more likely to believe a hypothesis that directly opposes mainstream health claims. In this case, dairy is so heavily advertised as a panacea for healthy bones that it would seem only natural for those claims to be dead wrong. You’ll see that (for once) this is not the case!
Additionally, I came across a 2011 study that specifically addresses the dairy-acid balance-osteoporosis connection. They came to some interesting conclusions that I want to share with you all, and hopefully we can put this issue to rest.
Dairy, Acid Balance, and Osteoporosis: The Real Scoop
In this study, “Milk and acid-base balance: proposed hypothesis vs. scientific evidence,” the authors review both the acid-ash hypothesis as a whole and the specific claim that dairy contributes to osteoporosis. After reviewing the scientific evidence (or lack thereof), they reach the same conclusions that I have: the studies available simply do not support this hypothesis.
First, they emphasize that urine pH is not indicative of systemic pH. In fact, except in cases of serious renal insufficiency, diet does not affect serum pH at all. If it did, we’d be in a lot of trouble! The pH of our blood is maintained in a very tight range, and if it deviates significantly, we will die very quickly. No doubt we can really mess up our health by eating the wrong things, but thankfully our minute-to-minute survival doesn’t hinge on whether we can correctly balance the acidity or alkalinity of the foods we eat.
Further, the bones don’t even come into play in the regulation of our serum pH; that’s our kidneys’ job. Any ‘acid ash’ that is left behind by the foods we eat can be easily dealt with and eliminated in the urine. This is why your urine changes pH depending on what you eat. It’s just a sign that your kidneys are doing their job!
In short, their conclusions simply reiterate the points I made in my Acid-Alkaline series, and demonstrate that the acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis has no scientific backing. But perhaps the most interesting thing about this particular study on milk is the authors’ assertion that dairy isn’t even acid-forming in the first place!
So not only is the hypothesis itself wrong; the application of the hypothesis is wrong too, at least in the case of dairy. Even if the acid ash hypothesis of osteoporosis were viable, there would still be no mechanism by which dairy would contribute to osteoporosis.
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Dairy Probably Is Good for Your Bones After All
The majority of the evidence indicates that conventional wisdom may actually be right about dairy. Clinical studies have found that drinking milk leads to a positive calcium balance, indicating that more calcium was absorbed than was excreted. (1) Other studies show that phosphate in general – not just from milk – increases calcium retention and improves bone health. (2) Increased dairy consumption is also consistently associated with lower rates of osteoporosis and better bone health. We all know to take observational studies with a grain of salt, but when clinical data backs up their conclusions, they’re significantly more convincing.
For example, an increased dairy intake in postmenopausal Korean women was associated with a decreased risk for osteoporosis. (3) Another study found that in the US, dairy intake was a significant predictor of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. (4) And in Polish women, higher dairy consumption during childhood and adolescence predicted better bone health as adults. (5)
Although you won’t see me sporting a milk mustache in a “Got Milk?” ad anytime soon, it does appear that dairy can be beneficial for bone health. That’s not to say it’s necessary; after all, we got along just fine without dairy for most of human history! But based on the evidence, it’s safe to say that dairy does not contribute to osteoporosis, and full-fat dairy (preferably raw) can be a beneficial addition to the diet for many people.
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“A blood test will not tell you the damage that has been done to your osteoblast (bone making) cells.”
I didn’t say it did. But blood test tells how much calcium is in our blood.
Some people actually believe that milk zaps out the calcium, when in fact it does very little. A blood test tells the truth.
But, they probably wouldn’t believe it anyway … calling the doctor a quack, and that the test was somehow flawed.
Some people. . . .
Why bother doing a calcium blood test if it has no bearing on the status of your bones? You’re really struggling here. Also, you can reply to a comment as well instead of starting a new thread.
“So yeah, looking with a common sense approach at bone health worldwide, there’s a massive correlation between dairy consumption and osteoporosis.”
Nope. Those who have bone problems are not active enough, in addition to smoking and having a poor diet.
If there was a problem across the board, ALL of us would have problems. Only a fraction do, and they aren’t taking care of themselves.
But, hey, I guess I have osteoporosis too.
Gee.
Bold claim, very bold. You got any proof to back that up, because I’ve read many studies that rule out extraneous factors such as those. I’d love to see some links to your findings.
I’m still waiting on your links to support this hypothesis.
“If there was a problem across the board, ALL of us would have problems. Only a fraction do, and they aren’t taking care of themselves.”
That’s the same as saying: “If there was a health problem with smoking, ALL smokers would get cancer. Only a fraction do, so smoking can’t be bad for your health.”
Anna said, in part:
“Does no one know how to do research these days?. . . .”
Sometimes there is no need. Just use common sense.
Example: I just look at my history, and the history of milk drinkers.
If it was a problem, our bones would be telling us.
And a blood test would really tell you.
Screw all these links going to “studies.”
Nuff said.
“just use commone sense..If it was a problem, our bones would be telling us.” So true, finally someone speaks some reason.
So yeah, looking with a common sense approach at bone health worldwide, there’s a massive correlation between dairy consumption and osteoporosis. There’s also a massive correlation between lack of dairy consumption, and lack of osteoporosis.
The bones are speaking.
Correlation is not causation. There needs to be more research. If there really was a correlation then generations of people would have been having osteoporosis. So where are the billions of cases of milk drinkers with it. Does your studies tell you that? No?… Hmmm junk science!!!
There have been plenty of scientific studies done to show a correlation between milk, osteoporosis, and early death. The dairy industry even did a study years back and found a link to osteoporosis. Now they manipulate their results.
If in doubt about milk and calcium, just have a blood test done to test for calcium levels.
I love milk, been drinking it for some 50 years. My bones and teeth are still going strong.
If milk’s protein took calcium from out bones, we would be in trouble, like teeth falling out of our mouth.
Some people have allergies to milk. That doesn’t mean it is bad for everyone.
Common sense, folks. Let’s use it.
A blood test will not tell you the damage that has been done to your osteoblast (bone making) cells. Osteoporosis is typically an old persons disease, and onsets when your bones no longer have the capacity to make new bone matrix.
I believe that websites like this are extremely harmful. Some slick SEO mixed with lots of confusion and opinions about different nutrients and their individual pros and cons. This is enough to keep people in the dark about the true facts, which is just how the dairy industry (a hugely powerful machine) wants it. What is indisputable is that countries with higher rates of bone fractures for example New Zealand, Finland, Sweden and USA also have high rates of dairy consumption. Countries with low rates of dairy consumption have low rates of bone fracture. So what has been indoctrinated into our society for decades – that our consumption of dairy products will give us strong bones – is fundamentally flawed. Getting hung up on the pros and cons of individual nutrients is unfortunately detracting us from this basic fact. The dairy industry has an incredible influence on the information that we are exposed to and will of course fiercely product its interests, which are purely financial. There are also others who want to sell books who also benefit in this way.
So does the study say this is a recent trend? Or one that really correlates to the use of glyphosate in those regions and that that is really the cause of the osteoporosis? That is what glyphosate does you know. It decalcifies and breaks down scale deposits of calcium etc. Where is that study. I bet you anything that the study was not done looking into what the cows were fed, or ALL the external exposures of the populace within them. Sounds like Monsanto trying to keep you all guessing etc to me… They are in their death throes here and this type of thing, corrupting science, is their MO.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2821138/
This is dead interesting. Apparently there might be a link between iron overload in menopausal women and osteoporosis (along with a decrease in estrogen).
Yes, let’s widen the view.
There are many factors/conditions which can influence bone loss.
i.e. chronic inflammation, RA, celiac disease, taking corticosteroids, phosphorous regulation, estrogen metabolism, vitamin D metabolism, calcium regulation, etc
Teasing out one factor and finding a correlation may not be very helpful in understanding how to treat or prevent osteoporosis.
I think the bigger question is: what factors are giving more and more of us chronic conditions, of which osteoporosis is one?
Drinking or abstaining from dairy is probably not a big factor.
Why do you think the urine becomes acidic? because it contains acids FROM THE BLOOD. why did the kidney excrete these acids? Because the blood was TOO ACIDIC.
So will you be retracting this article after the latest study showing dairy milk IS the biggest single factor contibuting to the development of osteoporosis ?
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/09/12/13120.aspx
A study that was published September 12, 2005 is “the latest”?
Not even a study. Just regurgitated populism. This is bad. Really, really bad!
You just made me laugh so hard. You seem so smug in your post. If you’re going to post something as current research please make sure it’s not from 2005, and not a sham study by a fake doctor.
it’s gone.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/09/12/13120.aspx
Author Russell Eaton says: ‘Dairy milk does increase bone density, but this comes at a terrible price. The latest research is showing that far from protecting bones, milk actually increases the risk of osteoporosis by eroding bone-making cells.
Does no one know how to do research these days? If you even click around on that site you can see it’s a complete sham. The “source” it links to isn’t even a study. And if you do a google search on Russell Eaton you find that this man, not a doctor, had several little controversial theories he’s cooked up to make money with. One of which includes why exercising is bad for you too.
Good point, Anna 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you for looking into this.
Well your out dated, and obviously fake study from a fake doctor has no validity to it what so ever.
Maybe we should look at vitamin deficiencies as well. Especially vitamin D. We’re not spending enough time outside and our food is not so fresh. And maybe grains as well. I have 3 links here, wonderful talks. I’ve seen in myself the supplementing with vit D3 (looking to add some K2). I cannot drink milk, I simply don’t like it. Instead I’d eat cheese, I make my own kefir/yogurt at home (not the same consistency, but really nice fermented taste).
Dr Alessio Fasano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wha30RSxE6w gluten
Dr William Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbBURnqYVzw about gluten as well
Dr Michael Holick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvogqa3BWVE vitamin D deficiency
And another one : look for Peter Attia’s insights on (and experience with) a high carb diet. I don’t believe just one thing causes bad things in our bodies. I’m inclined to think there is a vitamin deficiency because of our current lifestyle.
Take care of yourselves !
Thoughts on this study regarding calcium intake increasing osteoporosis fracture risk: http://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/S0306-9877(05)00209-4/abstract
And the Nurse’s Health Study which showed benefit from Vitamin D in regards to lower fracture incidence but not milk or calcium intake. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/77/2/504.long
Thanks!
Two very interesting links, Christi. Thank you.
Here is the most comprehensive study that I found:
http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6015
The interesting thing is that it was found that regular milk consumption contributed to higher mortality rates and fractures, but the consumption of cheeses and other fermented milk products did just the opposite. There’s a lot of details factored into this study, but well worth perusing.
Swedish researchers have something to say about milk consumption being tied increased risk of fractures:
http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6015
And death no less!
For someone who claims to be science based i can’t believe you’re recommending raw milk! I was questioning your position on a few points but that last sentence has pretty much confirmed my skepticism.
Another issue i noticed is that you’ve stated:
“Increased dairy consumption is also consistently associated with lower rates of osteoporosis and better bone health.”
But that is untrue. There is pretty good evidence in support of dairy consumption in childhood and adolescences, but the evidence for milk consumption in adulthood is mixed. Some studies show a reduced risk of bone problems, others show an increased risk, and others show no difference. Your statement quoted above ignores the negative data and is misleading.
I think milk overall is probably good for us, especially in childhood, but the evidence for the benefits of milk in adulthood is certainly not conclusive.
Did you even bother to read his other articles on WHY he recommends raw milk?
I was very surprised when my second bone scan indicated bone loss. I had not drunk any milk, nor consumed dairy products. Prior to the test, I had lived a life of a vegetarian, consuming lots of soy, grains and legumes. My digestion was a mess and i suffered from insomnia. Before you point your finger at milk as the cause of osteoporosis, look at the bones of those who are vegetarians and vegans.
You just said it yourself: “My digestion was a mess”. If you had gut issues, you’d have issues with absorption, possibly leaky gut too. Nothing to do with dairy. Cows grow strong bones by eating grass, so assuming your gut was working ok, you’d be fine too.
There’s not enough information to draw either conclusion. Though the assertions keep with the theme of not providing evidence or citations found in both the article and comments.
Are you serious? Cows eat grass, and have healthy bones so therefor she should have them as well?! Well please by all means pretend to be a cow, and try to live off of nothing but grass, and let me know how that turns out for you. There’s a huge difference between cows, and humans. The fact that you would even compair us to a cow to get a point across makes me very sad.
Yeah, that was exactly my point – we are cows, so we should eat like them. You are very clever.
Actually raw milk is quite good for you. I never consume conventional grain fed pasteurized dairy.
Thanks Chris, I agree with your article. My personal condition, sphincter or oddi dysfunction, rendered me very nutrient deficient and very sensitive to foods that brought me back to life. I could only eat a vegan diet before my meds. I spent a lot of time researching different diets, found myself spending a lot of time on your site and the weston price one. I found today’s article when I was looking into a theory I have connecting Osteoporosis and high grain diets. While these countries with high amounts may drink more milk. Norway is really high. I noticed they also ate a lot of pizza and pasta…where as Asian counties do not. So I feel it’s the grains, nuts, seeds and beans or a phytate high diet (especially when they are not prepared by soaking), not the milk, that may be causing the problem. When I was getting kidney stones all the time my doctor kept telling me to cut back on dairy, but I consumed very little at the time. My vit. D levels were low (14), but after bring that up with supplements my bones and joints still ached in pain all the time and I was getting arthritis in my fingers. After I got on my meds for SOD, I was able to switch from a vegan diet to more animal based foods, but really need nutrient dense foods to recover. I focused on beef liver, fats and cultured dairy…still eating fruits and veggies though very few phytate high foods. And my kidney stones have stopped as well as all the joint pain. Even the swelling in my knuckles has stopped. I’ve even slimmed down. My friends and family have noticed the transformation in my appearance and the major increase in energy. I’m 44, but felt like a 90yo before. Now I feel like I did in my early 20s. I truly believe following weston price and your theories took me in the right direction and back to heath. Thank you!
oh dont weston price us!!!
he just didn’t have the super healthy soy milk and almond milk around at the time or all his recommendations would be different!
seriously,
I am glad to hear nutrient dense foods have helped you recover.
The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study of 77,761 women, aged 34 to 59 followed for 12 years, found that those who drank three or more glasses of milk per day had no reduction in the risk of hip or arm fractures compared to those who drank little or no milk, even after adjustment for weight, menopausal status, smoking, and alcohol use. In fact, the fracture rates were slightly, but significantly, higher for those who consumed this much milk, compared to those who drank little or no milk.
What else did they eat? – lot’s of grains? Legumes? … Was it really the milk or something else in their diet?
The Rancho Bernardo Study of 980 post-menopausal women backs up Chris’ position. It found that drinking at least one glass of milk a day helped offset bone loss. It also found that coffee drinkers who didn’t drink milk had much lower bone density.
Caffeine consumption increases the urinary excretion of calcium. Perhaps the Harvard nurses drank lots of coffee?
In a different study by University of California, San Diego of 581 post-menopausal women, those who had drunk 1+ glasses of milk a day as adolescents and young adults had significantly higher bone density than those who hadn’t.
The data doesn’t lie: dairy is good for bone density. Chris is right that the conventional wisdom in this case is right.
Your mom was right when she told you to drink your milk or you won’t have strong bones.
Despite India being the largest consumer of dairy, they also have the highest rates of osteoporosis. This is true across the board of countries that consume the most amount of dairy, with significant correlation. If there were a protective benefit of consuming dairy, we should see it, instead of the opposite effect.
Dairy consumption by country (before India was studied): http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?commodity=milk&graph=domestic-consumption
Proof India consumes the most dairy: http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/06/0608_consumes_most_dairy/1.htm
Osteoporosis rates: http://babyreference.com/images/fractursPerCalcium.jpg
http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6015
India has the world’s highest rate of osteoporosis:
http://themilkblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/india-has-worlds-worst-rate-of.html
(I wish this study had included India, but it didn’t): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2957223/
More than 75% of the world is also lactose-intolerant, and it’s actually a natural phenomenon. “Why lactose-intolerance occurs, for dummies”: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/why-lactose-intolerance-occurs.html
India also consumes lots of legumes, rice, types of bread. I just wish these studies looked at what people eat entirely, not just how much this and that. My brother drinks milk (always has) daily, eats cheese, he’s got no cavities, his bones are strong. He eats sweets. Just realized he doesn’t eat so many legumes and grains. I stopped eating dairy 2 years ago (never really ate them), and I’m cavity prone and my bones are frail. Then again I do eat beans, chickpeas etc.He’s 6 years younger than me. I got a flu last week and realized my body didn’t want to get near any grains (ate a pita bread, just flour, yeast and salt and instantly felt sick). I gave up grains for now, incorporated kefir, some cheese mainly goat’s,fermented veggies. I still don’t drink milk. Then again, he’s a man, I’m a woman, so we’re different, although related. My mom doesn’t drink any milk, eats cheese from now and then, but BREAD quite a lot, with every meal (my grandma is almost the same, although she raises 1 cow for milk and cheese). She has osteoporosis, so does my mom. Don’t know what to say. But since incorporating dairy, especially fermented stuff I don’t crave junk stuff, like sweets, I’m more energetic.
Might pay to also compare populations of countries. Population of India is 1.2 billion vs 300 million for US so when you work out milk consumption per capita it is actually lower than half the consumption of milk in India vs US
For those of us who lack the oxalate degrading bacteria, we suffer from kidney stones to burning bladder. Veggies, fruits and grains (especially whole grain) all contain oxalates thus we must turn to meat & dairy.
When blood tests showed my GFR was low (indicator of CKD) I theorized it was due to oxalates binding to calcium (as I also suffer from IC) & clogging my kidneys. So I turned to eating more meat & dairy and less veggies & grains. More than a year later, my GFR increased by 25 pts! My cholesterol went from 158 to 176, well worth saving my kidneys for 🙂
Hey Chris,
I sent you an e-mail a few weeks ago regarding the lack of complete research, (or even partial considering how much info is out there) regarding pH balancing. Now I just saw a new article that try’s miserably to debunk the correlation between highly acidic pasteurized-homogenized dairy products and osteoporosis? I mean come on now, it is more than scientifically proven at this point as this theory has become a highly recognized scientific theory with overwhelming proof! If you took even a little extra time to do unbiased research you would be able to understand, comprehend, and embrace theses concepts as they apply to ALL diets. Depending on metabolism, mostly due to ones distant relatives and past descendants, the ratio of alkaline/acidic foods may vary somewhat, but is not that much different. So where as one person may maintain a healthy pH with 70% alkaline forming foods to 30% acidic forming foods, another may need to be 80/20. I do not have time to review the numerous studies or present my hypothesis on this very well researched scientifically proven subject. Like I stated in the last e-mail I sent you I find it very irresponsible and careless for doctors, researchers, or so-called experts to give their opinion on a subject that is more than obviously not well researched AT ALL unfortunately. I will be addressing this type of bias, poorly researched, and outright wrong and misleading information. People deserve to get complete, thoroughly researched information especially on a life saving topic such as this one. pH Balancing.com coming soon to straighten out the many misconceptions like the this one that lack the research to address the topic.. I don’t pick on people unless their information is far off base..
Thank You,
Brian
Hi Brian,
“I do not have time to review the numerous studies or present my hypothesis on this very well researched scientifically proven subject. ”
*Your* hypothesis… you mean your *own* hypothesis? Are you, Brian, a researcher or something?
“it is more than scientifically proven at this point as this theory has become a highly recognized scientific theory with overwhelming proof!”
Translation? “It is proven since it has been proven”?
Oh, *sure*.
In order for you to have some beginning of credibility, that would be great to give us at least *some* links to the studies you’re reffering to, wouldn’t it?
Your truly
Rafgl
I agree. Provide the supporting evidence.
I’ve noticed a strong trend in the absence of reliable evidence.
hello please can you, if you have time, send me some links or point me in the right detection to what you are saying? the whole body ph and milk thing. i really need more info on this subject. Thank you
and it’s time to do real studies on these hypotheses not just assume they are not correct just because there is not enough research done…. Acidic food causes red blood cells to loose their negative charge and as a result they glue to each other. two or more red blood cells can not go through the capillary thus there is less oxygen and nutrients carried to the cells. I have a friend in Russia who was raw vegan for about a year then did a ‘live blood test’ (which shows clearly the shape and state of the red blood cells). The hematologist was amazed by how good they looked. Then he ate a piece of pastry with cheese and they repeated the test. the result was incredible- the red blood cells started to become spiky and changing to worse rapidly. These kind of tests are done more and more often. All diseases start at the cellular level, and cells start to become sick when they don’t have enough oxygen and nutrient. The health of the red cells is vital. And I’m sure that breaking down heavy/processed protein into amino-acids is very hard on our system therefore, and it required much more water and other elements to it’s job. This is the protein that messes up our PH balance. If the urine is not ok, nothing in the body is ok.
Elena,
I’m in favor of alternative medicines but at the same time cautious.
Concerning research in medicine, there is a clear difference between:
– this theory has not yet been proven or tested; and
– this theory shows a severe misunderstanding of the knowledge accumulated in the last 150 years.
The acid-alkaline hypothesis is solely based on observations made in the 19th century. There is serious evidence that only the pH of urine can change, not the pH of the blood.
An hematologist does not have to be ‘amazed’ at what he sees but rather give meaning to it through established knowledge (The fact that science doesn’t know, for example, how to cure everything doesn’t mean science doesn’t know anything. Most of the time, real operational knowledge just isn’t that visual.)
As for the “live blood analysis”, I’m afraid it must be classified alongside Radiesthesia and Kangen water among complete scams. The russian “hematologist”, according to the places where live-blood microscopes are usually found, probably doesn’t have any degree in hematology, and therefore your friend probably ought to see someone else to see to assess he’s really healthy. For a more detailed view on the subject: http://www.csicop.org/si/show/the_pseudoscience_of_live_blood_cell_analysis/
Zai jian
Rafgl
‘Any ‘acid ash’ that is left behind by the foods we eat can be easily dealt with and eliminated in the urine. This is why your urine changes pH depending on what you eat. It’s just a sign that your kidneys are doing their job!’ —– isn’t it too much work for the kidneys to deal with so much bad food that leaves behind so much acid ash? Our body is a synchronous system and if one organ is sick, the rest are not as healthy either. The less pressure from food on our digestive system, the longer and healthier we will be.
If you use even a little bit of common sense then you’d realize that cows’ milk (baby calf growth fluid) is ment for calves not humans.
On a side note, by consuming dairy products you directly contribute to animal abuse and the production of most greenhouse gasses (methane gas from livestock is 25 to 100 times more destructive than carbon dioxide from vehicles).
“Rearing cattle produces more greenhouse gases than driving cars, UN report warns”:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?newsID=20772#.VBbjskt4Eds
“Livestock Emissions: Still Grossly Underestimated?”: http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6297
Those studies are years old and if you take into consideration that meat and dairy consumption is increasing globally then I’m positive that those number are much higher (worse) today.
Don’t believe me? Check it out yourselves: http://www.cowspiracy.com
In the end, even IF dairy products aren’t bad for your health (which I believe they are) then they most certainly aren’t good for the planet.