Is drinking two gallons of whole milk every three days healthy for me?

I'm 6'2", about 165 to 170. I'm of average fitness, and I'm an excercise-induced asthmatic (That is to say, I have no problem doing anything in short bursts, like I can play ultimate frisbee for an hour or so and not have asthma related complications, but just plain old running for five minutes has me coughing for about an hour). I drink about two gallons of whole milk (And have been for a couple years now) every three days. It's one of the major sources of fluids I take in, and I get protein, vegetables, and fruit outside of it. All in all I have experienced no real health complications that I can tie to it (aside from milk breath ;) ), but I was wondering if there was anything I should be wary of.

I was also curious as to whether there's a big difference between non-rbst treated milk and plain old milk, for someone who's drinking a lot of it.

2007-08-01T20:31:54Z

Please, if you're going to make broad claims that are not seen as conventionally true, provide a credible source! This includes such things as the amount of milk I'm drinking leading to lactose intolerance, claims that milk kills more than smoking does, etc.

Also, *please* keep in consideration that I'm healthy! Excercise induced asthma does not behave the same way that normal asthma does. I'm well inside the normal BMI for my height, and I often pursue outdoor activities recreationally. I have seen no indication that the amount of milk I drink is unhealthy, and I was trying to express that. Commenting about it along the veins of "Wow, you're going to get fat" is a little silly. I've been drinking this much milk for about two years, and there has been no marked increase in weight or change in health.

Be me2007-07-30T19:23:56Z

Favorite Answer

That much milk can cause you to have calcium deposits which may cause you to develop kidney stones. My husband had them and they hurt when they come out! Maybe you should switch to 2%.

Anonymous2007-07-30T20:12:06Z

Drinking A Gallon Of Whole Milk Is More Dangerous Than Second Hand Smoke. Not Fiction, Totally Truth.

sursumcorda2007-07-30T19:37:08Z

That's over 4000 calories just from the milk. You don't need to lose weight, though, so the calories aren't a concern. Most healthy diets recommend 3-4 cups of milk or milk products a day. You're drinking at least 10! Switch to water or other fluids for hydration. Moderation in all things for healthy living.

MrKnowItAll2007-07-30T19:35:47Z

(1) Eventually you may never be able to drink milk again. I have seen this happen with a couple of friends who were milk freaks.
(2) Make sure you are drinking only whole milk - this will keep your weight down.
(3) Maybe reduce it to 2 to 3 glasses a day? I guess that's a little less than 1/2 what you are drinking now?

As far as rBST versus non-rBST, I'm all for things that are totally natural with as little extra as possible... But rBST, from what I remembered from my lab experiments at Cornell, is nothing but a replacement for a natural hormone that cows generate on their own. It is similar to giving a vitamin booster to the cows (except its a hormone) to make them have the missing dietary item that they would naturally get out in the wild in what is normally referred to as the "perfect grazeland". If anything at all, rBST treated cow's milk will make you grow taller than non-rBST treated cow's milk.

maya2007-07-30T19:28:33Z

I have heard that milk is terrible for asthmatics!!! Also, whole milk??Why?? The milk fat is not where the nutrients are!! You should switch to 2% or 1% or even skim (if you can stand the taste) Why not just drink water for fluid?. Milk for health is an old wive's tale unless you need it as a food. Take vitamins instead. Better yet, ask your alergist and your regular doctor. Better have your cholesterol checked because of all the butterfat too!

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