The Risks of Raw Milk: A Warning from The Liver Doc

Milk and dairy products play an important role in providing essential nutrients to many diets. Yet, raw or unpasteurized milk carries substantial health risks, recently highlighted by a noted health professional, known online as "The Liver Doc." This Kerala-based hepatologist, Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, DM in Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, raised an important caution on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where he warned against drinking or offering raw milk to children due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Raw milk can harbor harmful pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and even Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it a potential health hazard that should not be ignored. Pasteurization, he argued, is an essential safety measure, introduced "for a reason," to protect public health and prevent serious infections.

In his recent tweet, The Liver Doc took a strong stand against consuming raw milk, explaining that while it may seem more "natural" or aligned with ancestral practices, this perception is misleading. “Please do not drink and do not feed your kids raw milk,” he stated, emphasizing that even though raw milk might feel like a healthier, unprocessed choice, it carries dangerous bacteria capable of causing serious health consequences. "This looks and sounds cool because it feels like you are doing it the natural way as our ancestors did and all, but remember that our ancestors lived a very long life of 25-30 years, mostly," he added.

The risks associated with raw milk consumption are not only significant but also vary across different demographics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend boiling raw milk for at least 30 seconds before consumption to destroy harmful pathogens. Raw milk’s inherent risks are particularly pronounced for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, including transplant patients, and individuals with chronic illnesses like HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes. These groups are especially susceptible to severe health complications from bacterial infections found in raw milk.

The Liver Doc’s post delves into the dangers of bacterial infections from unpasteurized milk, many of which can be severe, difficult to treat, and, in some cases, life-threatening. According to him, Listeria, for instance, is capable of invading the brain and causing recurrent seizures in children, while Salmonella infections, in their most extreme forms, can induce a state of shock, resulting in cardiac or brain failure in a short period. He cautioned that infections caused by these pathogens "are not your run-of-the-mill infections." In other words, these bacteria pose significant health risks that demand caution.

To further back his recommendations, The Liver Doc cited findings from health organizations like the New York State Department of Health, which discourage the consumption of raw milk and products made from it due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Both the FDA and CDC note that milk undergoes pasteurization, a process of heating it to a specific temperature to kill harmful microorganisms, for public health reasons. They assert that this method has been essential in reducing outbreaks of milk-borne diseases.

The FDA has explained in its guidelines that pasteurization is a proven measure to protect consumers, especially those in at-risk categories, from serious infections. The CDC similarly stresses that boiling raw milk, even if it’s perceived as a more "natural" choice, is necessary to prevent dangerous health outcomes. This practice is advised as a minimum safety measure if pasteurized milk is not available, as it effectively eliminates bacteria, viruses, and parasites present in raw milk.

While pasteurization was introduced over a century ago as a response to the health risks posed by raw milk, the debate around raw milk continues, with some proponents advocating for its consumption, citing nutritional benefits. However, The Liver Doc and other health professionals counter that any minor benefits are outweighed by the potential dangers. They argue that pasteurization does not significantly diminish milk's nutritional value, whereas unpasteurized milk brings clear health hazards.

Milk safety advocates, including The Liver Doc, maintain that pasteurization is a simple, effective method to ensure the safety of milk without compromising its nutritional benefits. Raw milk consumption, they argue, disregards a century’s worth of food safety knowledge and the real risks presented by bacterial infections. Those who consume or promote raw milk should weigh these risks carefully and recognize that avoiding pasteurisation overlooks a critical public health practice.

For families and individuals considering raw milk as a "natural" option, health experts, including The Liver Doc, underscore the risks involved. Adopting safer practices, like pasteurization or boiling, offers protection from bacterial infections that can be severe and sometimes fatal. As the FDA, CDC, and The Liver Doc all stress, ensuring milk is pathogen-free can prevent health consequences and safeguard public health. In this way, milk remains a vital, safe source of nutrition for individuals of all ages.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)