On Wed, 2 Sep 1998, Robert A. McGlohon, Jr. wrote:

> In Neanderthin, Ray tells us to shun milk because of the foreign
> protein called "lactose."  I take it that even if we are not "lactose
> intolerant," this protein can cause an auto-immune response.

Lactose is a sugar, not a protein.  It is a disaccharide that
must be broken down by means of the enzyme lactase.  The proteins
in dairy foods include casein and lactalbumin.

>         As I understand it, before some of use evolved to tolerate lactose as
> adults, milk was made into yogurt and cheese, which made the milk
> digestible.

Yes, because the lactose is digested by the microorganisms that
do the fermentation, in the case of yogurt and aged cheeses.

>         Unless I missed it, the only reason Ray gives for avoiding cheese in
> Neanderthin is the high fat content.  He does this despite elsewhere
> encouraging us to develop a taste for animal fat.

Interesting point.  The proteins in dairy foods are not
"foreign," since they are the same proteins that are present in
human breast milk.

>         Does anybody know of a nutritional reason not to eat cheese?

Yes.  Casein has a low ratio of the amino acid arginine to
lysine.  Research suggests that a low arg:lys ratio worsens blood
lipids.  In fact, casein is used by scientists to induce
hypercholesterolemia in laboratory animals.

Todd Moody
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