An important study published in 2015 confirms what many mothers have observed—children on raw milk don’t get sick as often. Published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the study compared health outcomes in almost one thousand European infants consuming raw milk, pasteurized milk or ultra-high temperature pasteurized milk with the occurrence of respiratory tract infections, rhinitis (runny nose), otitis (ear infections) and fever.

Researchers tracked health outcomes every week from age eight weeks to fifty-three weeks. “The main finding of this analysis was an inverse association between consumption of unprocessed [raw] cow's milk and rhinitis, RTI [respiratory tract infection], and otitis.” There was also an inverse association between raw milk and fevers. In other words, as raw milk consumption increased, the incidence of runny nose, respiratory tract infections, fevers and ear infections decreased. The researchers concluded that, “The protective effects of raw cow's milk on infections were comparable to those of breast-feeding, suggesting similar anti-infective properties of bovine and human milk.” Overall, consumption of raw cow's milk reduced the risk of manifest respiratory infections and fever by about 30 percent.

The study also measured C-reactive proteins—a measure of inflammation in the body--in the infants at age one year and found that “raw farm milk consumption was inversely associated with C-reactive protein levels at 12 months.” The researchers concluded that consumption of raw milk led to a “sustained anti-inflammatory effect” in the body. All of this is good news for vulnerable infants!

The many antimicrobial and immune-building factors in raw milk explain this protection from raw milk, including lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase and antibodies. Protective peptides derived from caseins and whey proteins include opioid peptides, antihypertensive peptides, casein phosphopeptides, α- and β-lactorphins and albutensin.

Mucin in raw milk inhibits rotavirus replication and prevents gastroenteritis. Componetns in raw milk can even protect against candida.

The butterfat in milk is an important protective component. Children who drink whole milk are much less likely to experience gastrointestinal problems.

Since raw milk is an inherently safe food, it provides Nature’s best protection against illness in both children and adults.

November 23, 2012

Studies Showing Raw (Farm) Milk Protective Against Asthma and Allergies

Compiled by the Weston A. Price Foundation Jump to: Exposure to farming in early life and development of asthma and allergy: a cross-sectional survey. Lancet 2001. […]
September 25, 2012

Milk and Children, 4th Annual International Raw Milk Symposium

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The Biochemical Magic of Raw Milk and Other Raw Foods: Glutathione

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March 29, 2008

Lactose Intolerance Survey

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December 31, 2007

Asthma vs. Foodborne Illness

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April 30, 2007

Does Milk Cause Cancer? Evaluating the Betacellulin Hypothesis

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August 31, 2004

Raw Milk

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July 7, 2003

Milk: It Does a Body Good?

By Lori Lipinski It all depends on where it comes from, doesn’t it? The subject of milk sparks just about as much controversy as the subject […]