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While the defensiveness of the President of the SA Dairyfarmer's
Association ("Udder Truths", 17/12/07) is understandable,
his comments should not go unchallenged - especially regarding
"the importance of dairy products for our health and wellbeing...
including reducing the risk of osteoporosis".
The dairy industry's sole focus on calcium intake is misleading.
Independent studies have found that osteoporosis occurs
overwhelmingly in the countries where the most dairy products
are consumed. This is because calcium loss from the bones
is promoted by high intakes of animal protein.
Other studies have linked milk consumption with conditions
such as heart disease and juvenile-onset diabetes. Plant
sources - nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, green leafy vegetables
- provide an adequate and healthier source of calcium. That
explains why, as a longtime vegan, my blood tests show no
sign of calcium deficiency (2.36 mmol/L, well within the
normal range of 2.10 - 2.55).
Health and wellbeing can't justify 83 gigalitres of water
per annum from the Murray being allocated to water pasture
for milk cows - the equivalent to 76% of the metered use
on the whole Adelaide Plain (State of South Australia: Trends
and Issues, 2005).
Regardless of increases in efficiency the industry may
make, the fact remains that healthier foods can be grown
with much less water.
Vegetarian Action
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The Advertiser, 17 December 2007
The Advertiser, 20 December
2007
Marco Bonincontro is Vegetarian Action's
Coordinator |
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