Raw Milk in Maryland

The Old Line State, that would be Maryland, prohibits the sale of raw milk. But that might change, especially if you get involved.

The Baltimore Sun recently ran an article about attempts to legalize the sale of raw milk:

“The demand has reached such a pitch that Del. J.B. Jennings, a Republican who represents Baltimore and Harford counties and who recently gave up cattle farming to join the military, introduced legislation Friday to make it legal for farmers to sell raw milk to consumers who buy a share in one of their cows. It’s legal in Maryland to drink the milk if you own the cow, but the state has refused in the past to allow such ‘cow shares.’

He is the third Maryland legislator to offer a bill in three years. He believes the bill will have more support than ever, though its prospects for passage remain slim.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Raw milk contains numerous components that assist in:

• Killing pathogens in the milk (lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, leukocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, antibodies, medium chain fatty acids, lysozyme, B12 binding protein, bifidus factor, beneficial bacteria);
• Preventing pathogen absorption across the intestinal wall (polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, mucins, fibronectin, glycomacropeptides, bifidus factor, beneficial bacteria);
• Strengthening the Immune System (lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, antibodies, hormones and growth factors)

To learn more about raw milk, click here and here.

Many of these anti-microbial and immune-enhancing components are greatly reduced in effectiveness by pasteurization, and are completely destroyed by ultra-pasteurization. Not to mention the dangers of homogenization.

Homogenization is a mechanical process where milk is passed through pipes and fine filters at very high pressures and speeds. The fat portion of the milk is broken up into very small globules. Like mist in a fog, small fat particles remain in suspension and do not rise to the top of the milk, as opposed to “cream top” milk. Milk is homogenized primarily to extend its shelf life, and to make it more convenient to consumers. No more shaking the bottle, phew.

Unfortunately, homogenizing the milk breaks down not only the fat, but the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) into tiny pieces. Such tiny particles are now able to pass through the intestine wall into the bloodstream, where as before they would have been digested properly and excreted. These small particles can attack arteries as well as part of the heart muscle itself, creating lesions. Result: heart disease.

Conclusion: it’s better to avoid milk products altogether if your only choice is homogenized milk. Let’s make sure it’s not our only choice. Make your voice heard! Contact your delegates and state senator and let them know you want the choice to buy raw milk.