10 reasons vs drinking cow’s milk--PETA

MANILA, Philippines -- Cow's blood, pus, hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics plus heaps and heaps of cholesterol -- these are just some of the things you can find in cow's milk, according to an official of an animal rights’ group.

The recent melamine milk crisis that spilled over from China to the rest of the world has prompted PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) to come up with 10 reasons why cow's milk should not be taken.

“Lahat ng gatas ng baka -- may nakalalasong melamine man o wala -- ay isang masamang halo ng lason, cholesterol at taba...Uminom ng gatas mula sa soya, bigas o almond – ito ang pinakamainam na magagawa mo para sa iyong kalusugan [Cow’s milk – whether there’s the poisonous melamine or none – is still a bad mix of poison, cholesterol, and fat …,” said Rochelle Regodon.

Regodon says:

• Cows are not milk-producing machines. After years of living in a dirty environment, constant reproduction of offspring, and forced milking, these cows are then slaughtered;
• You and your child are not animals to drink animal milk. “Ang mga bata ay hindi nagsasalita ng 'goo goo moo moo,' kaya bakit kailangan silang tratuhin na parang bisiro [Children do not say ‘goo goo moo moo,’ so why do we have to treat them like baby cows]?”;
• Studies have shown that as much as 90 percent of Filipinos are lactos intolerant. That's why drinking cow's milk might cause diarrhea and stomach pains;
• Cow's milk is contaminated with bacteria like blood, pus, pesticides, and antibiotics.
• “You have baby cow for breakfast. Its milk is the reason why there is an industry for veal. This is a product of the milk industry, they would force baby cows inside cages even if they were born only a few hours ago.”
• High levels of protein found in milk often result to poor bone structure and weak bones. “Milk is bad for the bones. According to research, milk is the reason why our bones get brittle and as a result, we develop osteoporosis.”
• Milk is allegedly bad for the environment. Cows reportedly excrete more than 120 pounds of fecal matter daily and these go straight to the environment;
• Cow's milk is supposedly not right for humans because its nutritional content does not match the nutritional needs of humans;
• Cow's milk is a waste of palay. “Rice grains that should be fed to people are instead given to cows. A lot of rice grains are fed to cows so that they can produce milk.”
• There are reportedly no fiber and complex carbohydrates found in cow's milk, only saturated fat and cholesterol. These can result to high blood, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Instead, PETA is pushing for organic milk or milk made from either soy, almond, or rice, said Regodon.

Regodon is hoping that these 10 reasons that she has cited will discourage people from drinking cow’s milk.

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