Did you know that tomorrow is National Ice Cream Day in the U.S.? If you'd like to celebrate but want to avoid the dangers of dairy, there are some great options that are free from:

1. Lactose - MOST humans are lactose-intolerant after infancy, and they SHOULD be! We do not need to make lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose) after we are weaned from our mother. We can eat solid foods, not rely on mother's milk, and use those amino acids to make other important proteins in our body. (Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and if we are not using them to make the protein called lactase, we can use them to build muscle, create collagen, and more.)
2. Estrogen - Cows have to be pregnant (or post-partum) to make milk. Pregnant mammals have high estrogen levels and secrete some of that estrogen into their milk. This raises the risk of breast, prostate, and other forms of cancer.
3. Saturated Fat - Dairy products are a leading source of saturated fat which contributes to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.

Enjoy your ice cream made from oats, soy, or another plant, and feel better about your health!

For more details on the dangers of dairy, see this Exam Room Live episode by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and read Chapter 8 of Chew On This: Bite-Sized Stories about Nutrition.

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