Raw Milk Constipation

So I have been drinking raw milk for the past few months to help with a condition I have and to put it bluntly it has worked wonders. Unfortunately, the one glaring issue I have is that it has given me severe constipation. I am assured that it is caused by the milk because every time I stop drinking it I no longer am constipated. I don't really know why this is occurring or how to fix it but I've done some research as to why this could happen and I have so far come across 2 possibilities:

1. I am drinking the milk wrong. Apparently you are supposed to leave the milk in your mouth for a few seconds to warm up before you swallow as that helps with the digestive process and is how raw milk is meant to be consumed.

2. Drinking too much raw milk leads to an excess in calcium which causes constipation and I must balance it with magnesium by either taking a magnesium supplement or a magnesium laxative.

There may be further possibilities but that is what I have found as of today. If anyone could help me resolve this issue then it would be greatly appreciated! I really don't want to stop consuming raw milk as it has been a life changer for me.

Drinking dairy is a great way for me to get constipated - raw or otherwise.  Every body is unique and everyone reacts differently to raw milk.

If it's helping, keep on drinking, but maybe have less or try making a yoghurt or soft cheese to ferment it a bit (making it easier to digest).  

More fibre or less fibre in the diet are things to try.  Too much fibre can block you up just as well as not enough.  

You don't mention the type of raw milk. Have you experimented with other species? I have heard that goat's milk is easier to digest than cows, but I have no personal experience.

Jay Angler wrote:You don't mention the type of raw milk. Have you experimented with other species? I have heard that goat's milk is easier to digest than cows, but I have no personal experience.

Sorry about that, forgot to mention. It is raw cow milk. I have not tried other species' milk. I get my milk through a herd share, so I am contracted to receive only raw cow milk. Also, I don't know how much they differ. I know for sure that the cow milk works but I have no idea about the goat milk.

r ranson wrote:Drinking dairy is a great way for me to get constipated - raw or otherwise.  Every body is unique and everyone reacts differently to raw milk.

If it's helping, keep on drinking, but maybe have less or try making a yoghurt or soft cheese to ferment it a bit (making it easier to digest).  

More fibre or less fibre in the diet are things to try.  Too much fibre can block you up just as well as not enough.  

I tried increasing my fiber intake and unfortunately it did not help. I haven't tried fermenting it though, could you link me with a video or website that could provide me with instructions on how to ferment the raw milk?

Maybe try to get some kefir grains to make your own kefir from the milk. It may help.

Another possibility that might help, depending on why you're drinking the raw milk, is to make milk kefir. It's sort of like a more liquid yogurt, in taste and texture. Unlike yogurt making, kefir doesn't need to be pasteurized, prior to fermenting. It has some of the most amazing probiotics, too - far more than yogurt, and in my experience, it's very gentle on the gut. If this is a possibility for you, there's a really good source on Amazon for the grains, whom I've used several times,  Poseymom. Here's her link: https://www.amazon.com/Poseymom-Kefir-Duo-Water-Milk/dp/B00IX2EAWQ/ref=sr_1_49?crid=1BKVKIF5PFA8X&dchild=1&keywords=milk+kefir+grains&qid=1596291753&sprefix=Milk+kefir%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-49

I don't get anything for sharing that, but she's great, her customer service is excellent, and it's a small cottage industry business, rather than a big commercial company.

Hi Johnathan;
I suggest you read up about A1-A1 milk versus A2-A2 milk.  
It may not be easily available as cows milk in your area. As most farmers do not wish to change their herd. Although out here certain dairy's are raking in the cash by being organic and strickly A-2 A-2 cows.
I won't go into the description of differences now but that info is available  on permies or online.
All goat milk and all sheep milk is A2-A2 .
Check it out it might be something that can help you.

How about eating less fibre?  Some digestions have narrow spots that eating too much fibre can block and cause constipation.  If there's a sensitivity to dairy, then the lining of the gut can become inflamed making these spots even narrower.  

Hey Johnathan wilson

here is how i make my buttermilk
I make buttermilk with my raw goat milk every day. It is very easy and i started with organic buttermilk from the grocery store. What i do is i pour 1/4cup of buttermilk into the new warm freshly milked milk.(1/4cup per litre)
I than shake it around a tiny bit, and than i put it in a container with room temperature water in it. this helps cool the milk and also keep it at a steady temperature.
The milk stays on the counter for 2 days roughly. (you are looking for a light pop when the lid opens) Afterwards i put it into the fridge and drink it in about 6 days.
Than the next day i do the same thing with my milking from the morning.
Rinse and repeat every day.

I have been keeping the buttermilk from the grocery store alive for 2 years.

I also supplement my diet with Natural calm magnesium powder

I drink about 1 litre of buttermilk with 1 table spoon of magnesium citrate powder everyday. All i can say is my stool is loose haha!

Hope this helps you out.

Try doubling your water intake. Just don't go over 5gallons per day. But I doubt that will happen

Too much dairy, and especially unfermented dairy can block you up. Cow milk is really the worst type of milk for this condition. Sheep/goat has more fat and less protein, and many people are sensitive to the protein in milk.
So, in my personal experience the worst is unfermented cow milk, and in big amounts.
What works for me: small amounts of soft/fresh cheese of goat or sheep.
Many people can tolerate yoghurt, but for some reason I can't, even when made of goat/sheep dairy.
I also did longer breaks without any dairy at all, which was great for my skin and my digestion.

Dairy is a classic trigger for constipation.  Cheese is often the worst, but liquid milk can be an issue for well.  People vary in their sensitivity.

Beans are often quite helpful to counteract this. Don't go crazy, but I'd suggest that you work up to a tolerance of large quantities of well cooked beans.

I always told my kids they can only have a quesadilla with a thick layer of refried beans.