Switch4Good

Protein is everywhere right now, and so is the message that you’re probably not getting enough.

But for most people, that’s simply not true.

In Part 1 of Dotsie’s new four-part Substack series, she explores how decades of marketing, industry influence, and profit helped create today’s protein obsession—and what the evidence actually says.

This series isn’t about eating less protein. It’s about separating nutrition science from marketing that’s put out to create profit for certain industries.

Make sure you subscribe so you can get notified about the rest of the series!

And if you choose a paid subscription, 100% of the proceeds go directly to Switch4Good to support education, advocacy, and policy work.

Read it here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dotsiebausch/p/who-says-you-need-so-much-protein?r=7w6btd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

That mustache isn’t the only thing cow’s milk leaves behind. Roughly 68% of adults worldwide are lactose intolerant and do not produce the lactase enzyme needed to break down the sugar in cow’s milk. Lactase production drops off around age five, right when humans are meant to stop drinking their mother’s breastmilk altogether. Keep consuming it into adulthood, and that undigested lactose ferments in your gut instead, producing the gas and bloating that follow.

Lactose isn’t the only troublemaker in that glass of milk. Dairy protein is largely made up of casein, which breaks down into a compound linked to slower digestion, gut inflammation, and yes, more gas. Two separate mechanisms, one very consistent outcome.

If downward dog is putting you in an awkward position, take our Gut Health Quiz to find out if dairy is the reason.

https://switch4good.org/gut-health-quiz/

Still spending hundreds on skincare while drinking dairy every day? 👀💰🥛

Research continues to find a link between dairy consumption and acne. A 2018 meta-analysis of 14 studies involving more than 78,000 children, adolescents, and young adults found that consuming dairy products was associated with a higher likelihood of acne. The association was seen with milk, cheese, and yogurt, with some of the strongest links observed for low-fat and skim milk.

Researchers believe dairy may contribute to acne by increasing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that can stimulate oil production, inflammation, and the overgrowth of skin cells that clog pores. While dairy isn’t the only cause of acne, and not everyone will react the same way, the science is strong enough that many dermatologists now consider dairy intake a potential acne trigger.

If you’re struggling with breakouts, it may be worth looking beyond your skincare routine and taking a closer look at what’s on your plate 🌱

📚 SOURCES:
• PMID: 30096883
• PMID: 29778512

Have you noticed a difference in your skin after reducing or eliminating dairy? Let us know IN THE COMMENTS👇 Visit Switch4good.org for everything you need to help you ditch dairy, eat plants and live your healthiest, most vibrant life.