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Health & Nutrition News Alert

January - March 2006 (Vol. 10 No. 1)

Pediatricians Call for a Calcium Check-up
A report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends drinking three 8-oz glasses of milk per day (or the equivalent) to achieve the recommended adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D in children 4 to 8 years of age, and four 8- to 10-oz glasses of milk (or the equivalent) to achieve the adequate calcium and vitamin D intake for adolescents. The AAP suggests getting calcium from dairy foods first such as milk, flavored milk, cheese and yogurt, with an emphasis on low-fat or fat-free varieties, to help build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life. The report also stresses the importance of parental role modeling, physical activity and the call for pediatricians to regularly assess their patients’ calcium intake.

American Academy of Pediatrics, Optimizing bone health and calcium intakes of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2006; 117 (2): 578-585.

Dairy Products Not Associated With Breast Cancer Risk
Researchers in London who reviewed the results of 50 observational studies and two review articles published since 1981, found no strong evidence that dairy food intake is associated with breast cancer.  Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among American women claiming over 40,000 lives yearly in the United States.  Previous studies suggested that individual components of dairy foods may either increase (i.e., saturated fat) or decrease (i.e., calcium, vitamin D, conjugated linoleic acid or CLA) the risk of breast cancer.  The researchers concluded that the weight of the total evidence does not support an association between dairy product intake and breast cancer risk.

Mokbel K, et al. Dairy products and breast cancer risk: a review of the literature. International Journal of Fertility & Women’s Medicine. 2005; 50(6): 244-249.

{Scientific synopsis provided by Althea Zanecosky, MS, RD, LDN, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association}

Got Upset Stomach?  Cow’s Milk is Likely Not to Blame
According to a new study, milk and other dairy foods are often falsely assumed to cause stomach and intestinal upset. Researchers looked at self-reported symptoms, diet, immune response, and stomach and intestinal function of over 800 Finnish young adults.  Results suggest that the majority of these symptoms may be caused by an unspecific, unknown immune response to food, not milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance.

Paajanen L, et al. Cow milk is not responsible for most gastrointestinal immune-like syndromes – evidence from a population-based study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005; 82: 1327-1335.

{Scientific synopsis provided by Karen Giles-Smith, MS, RD, United Dairy Industry of Michigan}

Journal Supplement Reviews the Science on Dairy and Health
A supplement to the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Dairy Food Consumption and Health: State of the Science on Current Topics, reviews in a scientific and objective manner the validity of concerns about protein intake and bone health, the role of dairy foods in weight management, the myth of lactose intolerance in African Americans, newer perspectives of calcium nutrition and bone quality, and cow’s milk allergy.

Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2005; 24 (6S): 525S-591S.

Lactose Intolerance Myth: Exposed!
A recent review by Purdue University researchers found that there is little reason to believe that African Americans are unable to meet current dietary recommendations for dairy foods due to lactose intolerance.  African Americans tend to consume low amounts of dairy foods, often due to presumed intolerance, and do not meet recommended intakes for several nutrients, including calcium, putting them at increased risk for chronic diseases.  The research review found that even though many African Americans have the potential for symptoms, most, if not all, people who have difficulty digesting lactose are able to consume at least one 8-oz serving of milk at a time without trouble.  It was also noted that tolerance can be further improved by consuming milk with a meal, choosing yogurt or hard cheeses, or using products such as lactase supplements or lactose-reduced milks.  The authors concluded that African-Americans, like other Americans, should not avoid dairy products due to concerns about lactose intolerance, and should strive to meet the current recommendations in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Byers, K, et al. The Myth of Increased Lactose Intolerance in African-Americans. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2005; 24 (6S): 569S-573S.

[Editor’s Note: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that all adults consume 3 servings of fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, or cheese daily.  A serving equals one 8-oz cup of milk or yogurt and 1.5 ounces of cheese.]

{Scientific synopsis provided by Katie Hoffmann, MS, RD, Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council}

FAST FACT

Lifestyles Shape Kids’ Future Heart Health
Prevention of heart disease is the focus of the American Heart Association’s recently released statement on nutrition for children and adolescents.  Among the recommendations:

• Drop the Pop – Children need to drink 3 servings of milk per day
• Get Moo-ving - Children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous play every day
• Be a Role Model - Parents can lead by example and encourage healthy habits

Gidding SS, et al. Dietary recommendations for children and adolescents: A guide for practitioners: Consensus statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2005; 112: 2061-2075.

{Scientific synopsis provided by Karen Giles-Smith, MS, RD, United Dairy Industry of Michigan}

Nutrition & Health News Alerts are co-edited by Melissa Hooper, MS, RD, LD, Midwest Dairy Association, and Sarah Hess, MS, RD, LDN, New England Dairy & Food Council

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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.