Press Releases
Nutrition & Health News Alert: January/February/March 2007
(January/February/March, 2007)
Increase Dairy Intake to Decrease Body FatIf you are looking to maintain your beach-friendly figure this summer, be sure to pack plenty of dairy foods in your beach bag. A new study shows consuming more dairy foods may ward off fat accumulation, adding to the body of science linking dairy foods and weight management.
Getting plenty of dairy foods each day—without cutting calories—may reduce body fat, according to a new study out of Purdue University. As part of a one-year intervention, 51 young (average age 20 years), normal-weight women consumed diets containing different amounts of dairy foods, either high dairy (1,300-1,400 mg calcium), medium dairy (1,000-1,100 mg), or control (<800 mg), while keeping calories constant. Six months after completing the intervention, the women in the high-dairy group maintained a significantly higher calcium intake, which was associated with reduced fat mass accumulation when compared to the control group. Researchers said that although the effect was small, if higher dairy calcium intake is maintained over time, it may prevent age-related fat mass gain. “Although the perception exists that dairy products will lead to increased weight,” researchers said, “In fact, dairy product intake may prevent fat mass gain.”
Eagan M, et al. Effect of 1-year dairy product intervention on fat mass in young women: 6-month follow-up. Obesity. 2006;14(12): 2242-2248.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Karen Giles-Smith, MS, RD, United Dairy Industry of Michigan}
Adolescents With Dairy-Free Diets Fall Short On CalciumDairy foods provide 72 percent of the calcium in the U.S. food supply. New research shows that when adolescents avoid this important food group, they will most likely fall short on recommendations for the bone-building nutrient.
Researchers from Harvard and Tufts Universities found that adolescents cannot meet their calcium needs while meeting other nutrient recommendations without consuming dairy foods. Using the dietary data of 127 adolescents ages 9-18 reporting dairy–free diets in the 2001-2002 National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey and a computerized model, the researchers generated diets with maximal calcium intake that also met recommendations for other nutrients, limited calories and fat, and used portion sizes not exceeding usual intake for this age group. The maximal calcium intake achieved by the computer-generated diets within these parameters was 869 mg/day for girls and 1160 mg/day for boys – less than the recommended 1,300 mg daily for girls and boys ages 9-18. The authors also noted that the actual calcium intake of children consuming dairy-free diets was even lower, averaging less than 500 mg/day for both girls and boys, just over one-third of the recommended intake during critical bone-building years. The authors suggest calcium-fortified juices as an alternative source of calcium, but note concerns regarding excess juice consumption, including increased risk of cavities and weight gain. They also recommend adequate sunlight exposure or Vitamin D supplements and increased physical activity to promote bone health.
Gao X, et al. Meeting Adequate Intake for Dietary Calcium without Dairy Foods in Adolescents Aged 9 to 18 Years (National Health and Examination Survey 2001-2002). Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2006; 106: 1759-1765.
{Editors’ Note: For strong bones and overall health, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that Americans 9 years and above consume 3 servings of fat-free or lowfat milk, yogurt, or cheese daily. A serving equals one 8-ounce cup of milk or yogurt and 1.5 ounces of cheese.}
{Scientific synopsis provided by Bonnie Johnson, MS, RD, Dairy Council of Utah/Nevada}
Milk and Cereal Team Up For a Winning Health CombinationCelebrate June Dairy Month by topping your favorite breakfast cereal with milk to increase your daily calcium intake.
Michigan State University researchers found that consumption of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal (RTEC) increases daily milk and calcium intake. Researchers looked at the diets of over 7,400 men, women and children (aged 4 years and older) in the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and gathered information on their breakfast, RTEC and milk consumption habits. Average calcium intake at breakfast was seven times greater when RTEC was eaten with milk than when it was eaten alone. In most age-sex categories, breakfast eaters choosing RTEC were also more likely to meet calcium recommendations. The authors noted that inadequate calcium intake is a current public health concern and concluded that encouraging consumption of RTEC with fat-free or lowfat milk may be an easy way to improve calcium intake and reduce health risks associated with low calcium and dairy intake.
Song W, et al. Ready-to-Eat Breakfast Cereal Consumption Enhances Milk and Calcium Intake in the US Population. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2006; 106: 1783-1789.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Katie Hoffmann, MS, RD, Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council}
Vitamin D May Help Protect Against Multiple SclerosisA growing body of research supports vitamin D’s role in health promotion and disease prevention.
New research from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests a link between high blood levels of vitamin D and lower risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In this prospective study, researchers looked at blood samples from more than 250 military personnel with MS, and compared them to samples from matched controls. Vitamin D status was estimated by averaging 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of two or more samples collected before the onset of MS symptoms. Researchers determined that the highest blood levels of vitamin D were associated with a significantly lower risk of developing MS, when compared to the lowest vitamin D levels. The authors note that this relationship was particularly strong for blood levels measured before 20 years of age and suggest that increasing the vitamin D levels among young adults could result in an important reduction in MS incidence. The authors caution that more research is needed before a broad recommendation for vitamin D supplementation is warranted.
Munger K, et al. Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006; 296: 2832-2838.
{Editors’ Note: Dairy foods such as milk are among the few foods that provide a significant source of dietary vitamin D, with one 8-ounce glass of vitamin D-fortified milk supplying 25% of the Daily Value. Some yogurts and cheeses are also fortified with Vitamin D.}
{Scientific synopsis provided by Bonnie Johnson, MS, RD, Dairy Council of Utah/Nevada}
FAST FACT
Menopause Experts Highlight the Importance of CalciumA recent position statement brings attention to the need for women to boost their intake of calcium, and recommends dairy foods as a simple solution. So celebrate National Women’s Health Week (May 13-19th) by toasting the important women in your life with a glass of calcium-rich milk.
Adequate calcium intake is critical for women of peri- and postmenopausal age to reduce bone loss and fractures, according to a recent position statement by The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). According to the report, the median calcium intake of postmenopausal women in the United States and Canada is approximately 600 mg, only half of the recommended 1,200 mg per day for those over 50 years of age. In addition to bone health, the report highlights other potential health benefits of adequate calcium intake including reduced risk of colorectal cancer, kidney stones, hypertension, and obesity. Among the NAMS recommendations:
- Women should meet their calcium needs with food sources first
- Dairy foods are the preferred source due to their high calcium content and absorption, the presence of other important nutrients, and their low cost relative to total nutritional value
- Consuming three servings of dairy foods daily will help women meet their calcium and other nutrient needs
The report is consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that those ages 9 years and above consume three servings of fat-free or lowfat milk, yogurt or cheese daily.
The role of calcium in peri- and postmenopausal women: 2006 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society. 2006; 13: 862-877.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Katie Hoffmann, MS, RD, Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council}
Bone Up On Dairy to Reduce Risk of OsteoporosisEating three servings a day of dairy, in addition to regular physical activity, is an important way for the whole family to build stronger bones and reduce risk of osteoporosis. The attached handout, Bone Up on Dairy to Reduce Risk of Osteoporosis, provides tips to incorporate calcium-rich dairy foods into your diet for healthy bones.
This issue was edited by Sarah Hess, MS, RD, LDN, New England Dairy & Food Council and Jennifer Meyer, RD, LMNT, Dairy Council of Nebraska, Inc.
# # #
The National Dairy Council® was founded in 1915 and conducts nutrition education and nutrition research programs through national, state and regional Dairy Council organizations, on behalf of America’s dairy farmers.
To schedule an interview, please contact the following:
Baltimore/Washington, D.C./Harrisburg/Lancaster/York, Pa.
Isabel Maples, MEd, RD
(703) 753-1195
imaples@milk4u.org
Philadelphia
Althea Zanecosky, MS, RD
(215) 836-5534
azanecosky@milk4u.org
Pittsburgh/Johnstown/Altoona
Jennifer Diemert, RD
(412) 369-8363
jdiemert@milk4u.org
For delicious dairy recipes visit www.dairyspot.com or for information on nutrition research, check out www.nationaldairycouncil.org.