Sea Lions Milk... the safe alternative

Did you know that all mammals milk is made out of mostly lactose, except for sea lions? (Not that you should run out to the store for this, I'm pretty sure it will never be on store shelves... but who knows) Humans have the highest lactose concentration in their milk, about 7 percent. Cows, sheep, goats and other mammals whose milk we commonly drink is usually between 4 and 5 percent. However, most adult mammals lose their ability to break down lactose at a certain age. This suggests that being able to break down lactose is a mutation or evolution that has developed over time. Being lactose intolerant is normal!

Today I thought I would bring up one of the biggest problems of being lactose intolerant (besides the fact that it is so hard to eat anything you don't cook or can read the ingredients off the back). There are alot of necessary nutrients in milk products that those who are lactose intolerant often don't get enough of. Milk is a rich source of protein, calcium, carbohydrates and other nutrients. For infants and children who develop lactose intolerance at a very young age, lactose intolerance can be devastating. With technology they have developed other formulas, such as those made from soybeans, which provide the necessary nutrients for infants. For adults, it is important to have enough calcium and protein to stay healthy. Dark green, leafy vegetables are a good source of calcium. Protein can be obtained from animal products such as chicken or beef. As with any allergy or eating disorder, it is important to regulate what you eat and make sure you are getting the necessary nutrients.

Of course now you can go out to the store and buy lactose-free products, making it much easier to get all the benefits from milk and milk products without working to figure out what can replace them.