Since the beginning of time, people have been drinking milk. Even today, you'll find a gallon of milk in almost every refrigerator in America. Milk is, and always has been, a staple of our diet. Because it contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and essential vitamins, milk is considered one of nature's perfect foods. Unfortunately, over the last century milk has been subjected to many forms of modern processing practices, which strip it of many of its natural qualities and benefits. Therefore many essential vitamins and enzymes are lost. Milk processing has altered one of nature's perfect foods into something nature did not intend. Because of the abundant health benefits of raw milk, this report will explain why it should be made legal to purchase by consumers throughout the United States. Milk today is no longer what it used to be. Only 3% of the US population regularly consumes raw, unprocessed milk (CDC). Before the pasteurization process, cultures throughout history thrived on raw milk. In America, the first cows were brought to the Jamestown colony in 1610. Dairying in America began in 1620, with the large importation of livestock from Europe. As the nation moved westward, settlers sought pasture and room for more livestock. Most families had a cow and even small dairies were family-run. During this time, the cows fed on lush, green pastures. Ron Schmid observes, in his Untold Story of Milk, “Milk in America in the early nineteenth century had the same characteristics as the milk that had nourished mankind for many thousands of years. . . This would soon change, as the growth of cities would lead to changes in milk that would have devastating effects...... middle of document ......d Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006 - 2007.Hartley, Robert. A historical, scientific and practical essay on milk. New York: J. Leavitt,1842. Print National Digestive Disease Information, USA Today. “Lactose Intolerance Statistics.” Statisticbrain.com. Np, August 23, 2012. Web. February 6, 2014..Schmid, Ron. The untold story of milk. Washington DC: NewTrends Publishing, 2003. Print.Straus, Nathan. Disease in milk. 2nd ed. New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, 1917. Print.Weston A. Price Foundation. "A campaign for real milk". File modified September 11, 2011. Digital file. White, Carol. “How Pasteurization Works” August 31, 2010. HowStuffWorks.com.January 312014.