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• Think Outside the ‘Bones’: Dairy Intake and African American Health
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Nutrition News Alerts

Think Outside the ‘Bones’: Dairy Intake and African American Health

Bone health expert Robert Heaney, M.D., from Creighton University suggests that although African Americans may need less calcium to maintain strong bones compared to white Americans, they should strive to meet calcium/dairy food recommendations for the many other health benefits calcium-rich foods provide. 

Heaney reviewed the body of research studying calcium/dairy food intake as it relates to bone health and body weight. The findings show that African Americans tend to have lower calcium intakes than whites yet still maintain stronger bones due to an adaptive mechanism involving better calcium absorption and retention. However, this adaptive response has physiological consequences for other body systems, contributing to African Americans’ higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure and the insulin resistance syndrome. 

Therefore, an adequate calcium/dairy food intake should still be a priority for African Americans to help minimize their risk for these chronic diseases. The report recommends that African Americans increase their calcium intake and refers to a recent consensus statement released by the National Medical Association, which urges African Americans to increase their intake of calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt. 

Heaney RP. Low Calcium Intake Among African Americans: Effects on Bones and Body Weight. Journal of Nutrition. 2006; 136: 1095-1098.

Editor’s Note: The National Medical Association’s 2004 Consensus Report recommends that African Americans get 3-4 servings of dairy foods a day to reduce the risk of calcium-related chronic diseases for which they are at the greatest risk.

Scientific synopsis provided by Jennifer Meyer, RD, LMNT, Dairy Council of Nebraska, Inc.