(Health, tradition, and the raw truth)

Introduction

Raw milk was once a staple in the American diet. Before refrigeration, antibiotics, and industrial food systems, milk was delivered fresh from small farms—unprocessed, full of enzymes, and rich in bioavailable nutrients. But in the early 20th century, unsanitary urban dairies led to outbreaks of typhoid, tuberculosis, and infant death. Pasteurization was introduced as a life-saving measure—and it worked. Yet in solving one problem, it created another: the loss of a living food that supported digestion, fertility, immunity, and long-term health. This post explores what happens when we remove raw milk from the diet, what’s different about raw milk farms today, and how modern science supports a cautious return to this traditional food.

1. The History of Raw Milk in America

Raw milk was widely consumed until the 1900s, when unsanitary urban “swill dairies” began feeding cows distillery waste. These cows, kept in filth, produced contaminated milk that led to widespread outbreaks of illness. Rather than reforming farm practices, cities turned to pasteurization—heating milk to kill pathogens. By 1924, the U.S. Public Health Service endorsed the process, and in 1987 the FDA banned interstate sales of raw milk [1].

Today, pasteurization is standard, but we’ve lost access to the enzymes, immune-boosting compounds, and fat-soluble vitamins that make milk a complete food.

2. What Happens to Milk on Industrial Dairy Farms

The Cow Lifecycle

• Cows are milked 2–3 times daily, year-round, through artificial insemination and aggressive milking schedules.
• Calves are removed within 24–48 hours to preserve milk supply.
• Male calves are often sold for veal; females are raised for future milk production.
• Cows are typically culled by age 4–5, despite a natural lifespan of 12–15 years.

Feed, Stress, and Milk Quality

Industrial cows are usually fed GMO corn, soy, or processed bakery waste—foods that change the fat composition of milk. Grain-fed cows produce milk with:

• Lower omega-3s and CLA (anti-inflammatory fats)
• Lower vitamin K2, A, D, and beta-carotene [2,3]

Stressful conditions (crowding, early calf removal, hard flooring) also increase cortisol and inflammation in the animals, which may impact the milk’s composition [4].

3. What Happens to Milk on Ethical Raw Milk Farms

A Different Lifecycle

• Cows are milked 1–2 times daily, often seasonally, with natural breaks during pregnancy.
• Calves nurse from their mothers for weeks or months, and excess milk is shared.
• Cows are allowed to age naturally and are rarely culled unless necessary.

Feed and Nutrition

Pasture-based farms feed cows a diet of grass and forage. This results in:

• Higher levels of omega-3s, CLA, and fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and K2
• Naturally golden-colored milk rich in beta-carotene
• Active enzymes like lactase and phosphatase that aid in digestion and calcium absorption [5,6]

These farms also test milk regularly for pathogens, maintain strict cleanliness standards, and prioritize cow welfare.

4. Risks of Raw Milk: What Does the Data Say?

Between 1998 and 2018, the CDC documented:

• 202 outbreaks linked to raw milk
• 2,645 illnesses
• 228 hospitalizations
• 2 deaths over 20 years [7]

In contrast, leafy greens, deli meats, and poultry each cause tens of thousands of hospitalizations annually. In most raw milk cases, contamination stemmed from improper sanitation, lack of herd testing, or poor refrigeration—not the milk itself [8].

5. What Happens If You Get Sick from Raw Milk?

Salmonella

• Incubation: 6–72 hours
• Symptoms: Diarrhea, cramps, fever
• Treatment: Hydration, rest, and natural remedies like garlic or oregano oil. Antibiotics are rarely needed but effective when prescribed.

Mycobacterium bovis (Tuberculosis / TB)

• Incubation: Weeks to months
• Symptoms: Cough, fatigue, weight loss, fever
• Treatment: A long but effective antibiotic course (e.g., isoniazid and rifampin); nearly always cured when caught early [9,10]

As long as you’re aware of these and look for the early symptoms you have nothing to worry about.

6. What Are the Health Benefits of Raw Milk?

Pasteurized milk loses many nutrients. Here’s what raw milk contains that makes it nutritionally superior:

Nutrient/Compound	Function	Lost in Pasteurization?
Vitamin C	Immunity, collagen, antioxidant support	Yes
B6 and Folate	Hormone balance, fertility, brain health	Yes
CLA and Omega-3s	Anti-inflammatory, metabolic health	Reduced with grain feed
Lactase enzyme	Helps digest lactose	Yes
Phosphatase enzyme	Needed to absorb calcium	Yes
Immunoglobulins, lactoferrin	Support immune system	Yes
Live probiotics	Gut health and digestion	Yes

Studies show that children who consume raw milk have lower rates of asthma, eczema, and respiratory infections [11].

7. The Problem With Synthetic Fortification in Pasteurized Milk

Pasteurization destroys key vitamins, so milk is artificially fortified—usually with:

• Vitamin D2: A synthetic form less effective than natural D3 [12]
• Vitamin A palmitate: Can accumulate to toxic levels without natural cofactors [13]
• Calcium carbonate: Poorly absorbed, may deposit in arteries [14]

These synthetic forms do not function the same way in the body as nutrients found in whole foods. For example:

• Synthetic vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) has been linked to birth defects and liver toxicity when overconsumed [15]
• Excess calcium from fortification without vitamin K2 may lead to calcification of arteries rather than strengthening bones [16]
• Vitamin D2, often used in industrial milk, is significantly less effective in raising blood levels of active vitamin D compared to natural D3 [17]

8. How to Source Safe, Ethical Raw Milk

If you choose to consume raw milk, sourcing matters more than anything.

Look for:

• Routine testing for coliforms, E. coli, somatic cell count
• Pasture-raised, grass-fed cows (ideally A2/A2 breeds)
• Clean & chilled bottling practices
• Transparent operations—you should be able to visit the farm

Use www.realmilk.com to find a reliable farm in your area.

9. What We’ve Lost Since Removing Raw Milk

The removal of raw milk from modern diets coincides with a rise in:

• Lactose intolerance (affects 65% of the global population) [18]
• Infertility and miscarriages (linked to B6, folate, and K2 deficiency) [19]
• Gut disorders (IBS, Crohn’s, SIBO)
• Autoimmune and allergy-related conditions in children
• Declining bone health despite increased dairy intake [20]

Looking Ahead: The Ultra-Processed Food Series

This is the first post in a new series exploring what we lose with ultra-processed versions of essential foods. I’m becoming increasingly curious about the benefits of natural foods and the dangers of our industrialization and introduction of “fake” foods in our grocery stores.

Here’s a list of topics we’ll dive deeper in this series:

• Fresh flour vs store-bought flour
• Pastured eggs vs factory eggs
• Water filtration and real hydration
• Mineral-rich salt vs bleached salt
• White sugar vs honey or other better alternatives
• Meat raised regeneratively vs conventionally

Sign up for our newsletter to follow the series and receive your free Real Food Checklist.

References

1. U.S. Public Health Service. “A History of Milk Safety.” FDA.gov
2. Butler, G., et al. (2008). Journal of Dairy Science
3. Ellis, K. A., et al. (2006). Journal of Dairy Research
4. Broom, D. M. (2011). Applied Animal Behaviour Science
5. Dhiman, T. R., et al. (1999). Journal of Dairy Science
6. MacDonald, L. E., et al. (2011). Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
7. CDC (2020). “Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks.”
8. Real Milk Institute. “Outbreak Analysis and Testing Protocols.”
9. Mayo Clinic. “Salmonella Infection: Symptoms and Treatment.”
10. CDC. “Bovine Tuberculosis and Raw Milk.”
11. Waser, M., et al. (2007). British Journal of Nutrition
12. Armas, L. A. G., et al. (2004). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
13. Hathcock, J. N. (1997). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
14. Fulgoni, V. L., et al. (2007). Nutrition Reviews
15. Penniston, K. L., & Tanumihardjo, S. A. (2006). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
16. Price, W. A. “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.” 1939
17. Holick, M. F. (2007). New England Journal of Medicine
18. NIH. “Lactose Intolerance.” MedlinePlus.gov
19. Harvard Nurses’ Health Study. “Dairy fat intake and ovulatory infertility.”
20. Weston A. Price Foundation. “The Role of Dairy in Bone Health”