A new study investigating why children raised on farms have fewer
allergies than those raised in cities has shown that just two glasses each
week reduced a child's chances of developing eczema by almost 40 percent and
hay fever by 10 percent.

      Blood tests demonstrated that the raw milk more than halved the levels
of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a chemical pumped out by cells in response to an
allergen. IgE in turn causes the release of histamine, which causes allergy
symptoms.

      Raw milk is thought to contain bacteria that helps to prime your
immune system. However, unpasteurized milk is also thought to be a source of
potentially bad bacteria as well, so its sale has been banned in many
countries. Some experts believe that the potential benefits of raw milk are
still outweighed by the potential for food poisoning.

      One in three children are currently affected by eczema, hay fever or
asthma, as opposed to one in six 20 years ago. The number of people needing
emergency hospital treatment for severe allergic reactions has tripled over
the last 10 years.
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   Dr. Mercola's Comment:

   Cutting down on allergies is one of many reasons that your family should
be drinking raw milk. Here are a few more:

              a.. It has more nutrients: Raw milk is an outstanding source
of nutrients including healthy beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus
acidophilus, vitamins and enzymes.

              b.. People feel the health benefits: Raw milk is not
associated with any of the health problems surrounding pasteurized milk such
as rheumatoid arthritis, skin rashes, diarrhea and cramps. Even people who
have been allergic to pasteurized milk for many years can typically tolerate
and even thrive on raw milk.

              c.. It tastes better: As with any food, fresher is always
better and this applies to milk as well. Fresh raw milk is creamier and
better tasting than pasteurized milk that has a shelf life of several weeks.
            The study referred to in the article above examined some 4,700
children in Shropshire, and found those who lived on farms suffered from
dramatically fewer allergic symptoms than all the rest. After reviewing many
obvious benefits -- breastfeeding and their proximity to nature -- raw milk
turned out to be the best advantage out of them all.

            Unfortunately, the rest of the article highlighted all the
dangers of raw milk, primarily the chances of raw milk being infected with
food poisoning bugs E. coli and campylobacter, which is probably why the
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is pushing for a ban on
unpasteurized milk in the UK.

            Nevertheless, the demand for raw milk (available only from farms
or farmers' markets) is growing, accounting for 1 percent of total milk
sales in Wales and England.

            Pasteurization's great claim to popularity is the widespread
belief that it contains fewer germs. For example, pasteurization's
supporters allege that tuberculosis in children is caused by the harmful
germs found in raw milk.

            Dirty milk, of course, is like any other form of impure food --  
a definite menace. But Certified Grade A Milk, produced under government
supervision and guaranteed absolutely clean, is available practically all
over the country and is the dairy farmer's answer to the pasteurization
zealots.

            Recent figures published regarding the spread of tuberculosis by
milk show, among other facts, that over a period of five years, during which
time 70 children belonging to a special organization received a pint of raw
milk daily, only one case of the disease occurred. During a similar period
when pasteurized milk had been given, 14 cases were reported.

            If you're unable to find a local source for raw milk, one of the
finest sources of calcium available for humans, visit the Real Milk site to
find a provider close to you. You can also review this link for raw milk
availability and restrictions by state. As Sally Fallon notes, grass-fed
cows, rather than those stuck in pens eating corn, are your healthiest,
pathogen-free sources for raw milk.

            Fortunately, in ALL states farmers can drink unpasteurized milk
from their own cows.  In fact, there is no law against anyone drinking raw
milk, just against selling it in some states. You can purchase raw milk in
stores in eight states: CA, AZ, NM, ME, PA, WA, SC, CT.  You can also go to
Sally's Web site, realmilk.com, to find a source for raw milk near you.
            Sally's Weston Price Foundation is an amazing resource to help
you locate and secure raw milk. I am on their advisory board and would
encourage you to consider joining their organization. You will receive a
quarterly journal that I find enormously helpful and always read cover to
cover. Their membership page lists other benefits. If you are interested you
can print this form and sign up.