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Health & Nutrition News Alert

March - April 2001 (Vol. 5 No. 2)

You may realize that milk offers calcium but did you know that it offers many more nutrients that that? Read below to see what you might be missing if you are skipping out on milk.

Vitamin A "A" Necessary Nutrient
There are more ways than one to make the grade when it comes to vitamin A. According to a new report recently released by the National Academy of Sciences, darkly colored, carotene-rich fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli provide the body with only half as much vitamin A as previously thought. Luckily, people can turn to other food sources to get this vitamin such as milk. Milk is a good source of vitamin A and one 8-ounce serving of reduced fat, lowfat or fat free milk provides 10 % of the recommended daily value of this vitamin. It is essential for maintaining normal vision and skin, helps regulate cell growth and maintains the integrity of the immune system.

National Academy of Sciences: Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc, 2001.

Too Good To "B" Forgotten
New research shows that vitamin B-12 deficiency, once thought to only be a problem in the elderly, may be more common than previously believed. Researchers looked at the vitamin B-12 intakes of nearly 3,000 adults ages 26 through older than 65 and found that 39 percent of individuals had low-to-normal levels of this vitamin in their blood and 17 percent had levels low enough to cause deficiency symptoms. The research indicated that vitamin B-12 in dairy foods and cereals is better absorbed than the B-12 in other sources such as meat, fish and poultry. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to serious problems such as anemia, dementia and nerve damage.

Tucker, L. K. et. al: "Plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations relate to intake source in the Framingham Offspring study,." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000; 71:514-522.

[Editor's note: One 8-ounce glass of milk provides 13 % of the daily value of B-12.]

Cutting Out Calcium May Curb Weight Loss Efforts
If you are trying to slim down for the swimsuit season, drink your milk! A growing body of research indicates that calcium from dairy foods may help with weight loss. A new study examined the effect calcium had on body composition in 54 females from 18 to 31 years of age. Higher intakes of calcium from dairy foods (but not nondairy calcium) was associated with significant decrease in weight and body fat in women consuming less than 1876 calories per day regardless of exercise. The average calcium intake was 781 mg per day. The study is further evidence that ditching the dairy when dieting may not pay off.

Lin, Yi-Chin, et. al: "Dairy calcium is related to changes in body composition during a two-year exercise intervention in young women," Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2000; 19: 754-760.

The Right Nutrient Combination May Unlock The Secret To Strong Bones
When it comes to building strong bones it's important to pool your nutrient resources, according to new research. Results of a new study and research review found that more than just calcium may be needed for healthy bone development. The review found nutrients such as protein, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, fluoride, copper and vitamins D, A and K contribute to normal bone development. The second study found that participants who had a low protein intake, experienced bone loss that would occur with a 10 pounds weight loss. The authors of the review noted that due to increased life expectancy and the increasing number of Americans suffering from osteoporosis (now close to 30 million), maximizing bone health with a wide variety of nutrients is more important than ever.

Ilich, Jasminka Z. et al: "Nutrition in bone health revisited: A story beyond calcium," Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2000; 715-737.

Hannan, Marian T. et al. "Effect of dietary protein on bone loss in elderly men and women: The framingham osteoporosis study," Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 2000; 2504-2512.

[Editor's note: Milk provides calcium, vitamin A and D, phosphorus, protein and magnesium.]

Getting a Little Culture May Offer a Bundle of Benefits
Cultured dairy products such as yogurt have long been enjoyed. Now new research suggests that the added "healthy bacteria" in cultured dairy foods may offer more than meets the eye. An increasing number of foods and beverages have been supplemented with live cultures of microorganisms called "probiotics." A growing body of evidence suggests a direct relationship between consumption of probiotics (including the various strains of lactic acid bacteria) and a variety of health benefits. Research suggests probiotics may improve intestinal tract health, enhance the immune system, reduce allergies and lactose intolerance symptoms, and increase the absorption of various nutrients. Some researchers have also found a link between these microorganisms and the reduced risk of certain cancers.

National Academy of Sciences: Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc, 2001.

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You can rely on the National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council of (ADA/DC) Nebraska for credible, up-to-date news on dairy nutrition research, public policies on nutritional issues and special dairy nutrition campaigns. Please browse the Nutrition/Health Research tab for more information. If you need addition information or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Director of Nutrition Education Jennifer Meyer at (402) 592-3355 or toll free at (888) NEB-MILK.