Milk for adults: how its digestion changes with age
Dr. Boris Wydoff
“Drink milk, children” — and for children it really is suitable: their digestion is designed for milk. But an adult body is different. Over the years, many people digest milk proteins and milk sugar less efficiently, and a glass of milk stops being what it was in childhood.
What happens with casein
Cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk belong to the casein group. Casein is the main milk protein, and adults often digest it poorly: there are not enough enzymes, including lactase, which breaks down milk sugar. In the naturopathic system, it is believed that poorly digested milk components can enter the bloodstream. In my view, they settle in tissues, joints and between muscles — and I have seen many times how people with “unexplained” joint pain felt better after giving up dairy.
Pasteurization is a separate issue
I consider cow’s pasteurized milk to be one of the harmful factors for the liver: heating changes the protein, and the body has an even harder time with it. When the liver is weak, I recommend limiting other dairy products as well — at least during the recovery period.
What to do in practice
- Do not drink milk “like water” and do not wash down food with it: milk is a separate food, and it is heavy when combined with other foods.
- Pay attention to fermented dairy products: bacteria have already done part of the work there. Many people who struggle with milk can tolerate fermented milk products without problems.
- Test it on yourself: three weeks without dairy — and an honest look at your joints, skin, digestion and morning mucus in your throat. Your body will answer more accurately than any tests.
- Calcium without milk means greens, cabbage, sesame seeds and almonds.
Common mistakes
Replacing milk with sweet “plant-based drinks” from cartons — they contain sugar and additives. And judging by a single day: dairy traces leave the tissues over weeks, so give the test three weeks.
CAUTION
Do not deprive children of dairy without a reason and without talking to a pediatrician — their relationship with milk is different. Adults with osteoporosis should discuss calcium sources with a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Why does milk feel heavy now when it did not before?
With age, the production of enzymes for milk protein and sugar decreases — milk is no longer digested the way it was in childhood. This is a normal age-related change.
Are milk and joint pain connected?
In naturopathic practice, this connection is often observed: poorly digested milk components settle in tissues. The test is simple — three weeks without dairy and honest observation.
How can calcium from milk be replaced?
Greens, all types of cabbage, sesame seeds, almonds. Calcium absorption is helped by movement in the fresh air.
Go deeper with Dr. Wydoff's materials
Azbuka zdorovya / The ABC of Health (e-book, Russian) →Psychology & Physiology of Eating (video, Russian) →
Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →