Page 24 - Florida Sentinel 6-19-20

Health
Whether you are giving up dairy for health, religious, or simply personal reasons there are always benefits and consequences to consider. From a health perspective, the benefit of giving up dairy products can vary from weight loss to clearer skin and even disease prevention.
Although the consump- tion of dairy products has dropped since 2005 with the American Academy of Nutri- tion and Dietetics’ survey showing that 22 percent of Americans reported that they have decreased their dairy in- gestion, we still find it hard to
tear ourselves completely away from it.
If you are someone who is considering the non-dairy lifestyle and are curious about both the benefits and side effects, consider the fol- lowing:
1. You’ll drop some pounds...usually.
Having a dairy exempt diet will have an immediate effect on your weight. Even without exercising, simply omitting dairy from your diet will cause you to lose weight as well as inches from your waistline. However, do not let
it backfire on you. The one thing you will need to be on the lookout for is being hun- grier. Dairy is a good source of fat and protein that keeps us full. Without it, we may look to substitute it with sim- ple carbs that would hinder the weight loss and even cause you to gain extra pounds. Be mindful of what you replace the dairy with to manage your appetite.
2. No longer a BLOAT- ation device
When it comes to the feel- ing of being bloated, often dairy is the culprit. Some tend to use artificial means to curb the feeling temporarily through the use of lactose- free pills, but it’s just that – temporary. Even the substi- tute for many dairy products,
soy, is difficult to digest for some because it contains sugar molecules called oligosaccharides. Our bodies cannot digest these sub- stances well; therefore, the result tends to be unwanted gas and bloating. Dr. John Briffa, a leading expert in nu- trition said, “If lactose is not broken down, it ferments in the gut, which can cause var- ious digestive issues such as bloating.”
3. I can smell again!
Dairy is said by some to be a major contributor to sinus congestion. Try a dairy- free diet for a couple of months and see if you can ac- tually wake up and smell the roses. If/when you can, stick with it.
4. No more pizza face
Sugars, growth hormones and fats are all ingredients in milk. Even organic milk, which we tend to think of as safer, contains some ingredi- ents that can irritate the skin. A study at Dartmouth Med- ical School also revealed that testosterone stimulates oil glands in the skin, which can
lead to breakouts. Testos- terone is also found in milk.
5. I’m up for it!
Eating healthier and cut- ting out dairy can have a pos- itive effect on your energy levels. Feeling lethargic and tired can be potentially re- placed with better sleeping patterns as well as increased energy.
6. Breaking it down
Calcium is a great pro- ducer of strong bones and a sturdy frame. Where is a great deal of calcium found? You guessed it, milk. If you decide to get rid of dairy, make sure the proper cal- cium-containing substitutes are in place. Kale, spinach, tofu and sardines are all suf- ficient sources of calcium to the point that your body won’t really miss the milk.
7. Cancer
Dairy has been found to be a contributor to cancer, according to research. The Swedish report found that women drinking more than one glass of milk per day could double their risk of ovarian cancer, while the Harvard study discovered that men who drank more than two daily servings of milk increased their risk of developing prostate cancer by 34 percent compared to those who don’t.
LAVENDER
The effects of lavender are calming, soothing and relax- ing.
It is considered to be a nervous system relaxant and helps with sleep, tension, rest- lessness and irritability.
Numerous clinical trials have shown that lavender can reduce stress and tension.
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