A small study followed 69 children with chronic constipation through a 12-week trial of four phases (three weeks per phase).

Constipation resolved within 5 days in 27 children in phase 2 (when cow's milk was removed). It returned in phase 3 (when cow's milk was reintroduced), and disappeared again in phase 4 (when cow's milk was removed the second time). No other dietary changes were made.

Although small and not blinded, the fact that constipation returned when cow's milk was reintroduced is compelling.

PositiveTip: The simple intervention of removing dairy milk is certainly worth a try if your child suffers from chronic constipation.

Raw milk is touted by some as being more nutritious and is inherently antimicrobial, and therefore superior to pasteurized milk. But in reality there are no significant nutritional differences, and raw milk may contain a wide variety of harmful bacteria.

A recent outbreak of campylobacteriosis in Michigan confirms this. Twelve cases of this illness have been identified among those consuming raw milk from an Indiana dairy.

Food consumption patterns provide an interesting picture of changing tastes and eating habits. The US Department of Agriculture has been tracking food availability since 1909. A wealth of information from these records are now available online. Between 1970 and 2008 cheese consumption grew from 11.4 per person per year to 31.4 pounds--just over a threefold increase! Milk consumption has significantly diminished, while sodas seem to be replacing milk.

PositiveTip: It is not always healthy to follow national trends. Try setting a new trend by consuming significantly more fruits and vegetables in your diet!