Press Releases
Nutrition & Health News Alert: April/May/June 2007
What’s New in this Issue:- Calcium, Vitamin D and Dairy Foods May Play an Important Role in Colorectal Cancer Prevention
- What’s Good for the Bones May Also be Good for the Hearts of Postmenopausal Women
- Dairy Intake Enhances Weight Loss in Overweight Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
- Dairy Foods May Aid in Reducing Fat Absorption Following Meals
- More Dairy, Fruits and Vegetables Could Mean Reduced Chronic Disease Risk in Women
- Soft Drinks May Rob Teens of Bone Building Calcium
Also in this issue:
Calcium, Vitamin D and Dairy Foods May Play an Important Role in Colorectal Cancer Prevention
According to the National Institutes of Health, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of death from cancer in the Unites States. New research shows that dairy foods and nutrients found in these foods may provide protection against colorectal cancer.
New research supports the hypothesis that calcium, vitamin D and dairy foods may help protect against colon cancer. Researchers analyzed 191,011 diet-related questionnaires of men and women ages 45-75 from five ethnic/racial groups (African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese American, Latino and White) as part of the three-year Multiethnic Cohort Study. They examined the link between colon cancer risk and calcium and vitamin D intakes from food and dietary supplements. Higher intakes of calcium, vitamin D, milk and dairy foods were associated with a lower risk of colon cancer in men and women who did not use multivitamins or supplements, with consistent findings across all ethnic groups. The risk reduction associated with the highest total calcium intake was 30 percent in men and 36 percent in women. The authors speculate that components of dairy foods beyond calcium and vitamin D, including conjugated linoleic acid, sphingolipids, butyric acid and fermentation products, may contribute to the observed protective effect of dairy foods.
In addition, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine recently reported the results of a meta-analysis of five studies exploring serum vitamin D levels and colon cancer risk, which showed that higher vitamin D levels can lower the risk of colon cancer by as much as 50 percent. The researchers recommend a daily vitamin D3 intake of 1000-2000 IU as a practical way to reduce colon cancer risk.
Park, SY, et al. Calcium and Vitamin D Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: the Multiethnic Cohort Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2007:1-10.
Gorham, ED, et al. Optimal Vitamin D Status for Colorectal Cancer Prevention, A Quantitative Meta Analysis. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2007; 32(3): 210-216.
{Editors’ Note: One 8-ounce serving of milk provides 300 mg calcium and 100 IU of vitamin D. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 3 servings of fat-free or lowfat milk, yogurt or cheese daily.}
{Scientific synopsis provided by Barbara Baron, MS, RD, CDN, American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Inc.}
What’s Good for the Bones May Also be Good for the Hearts of Postmenopausal Women
September is National Cholesterol Education Month and a new study shows that you don’t have to sacrifice great-tasting dairy foods to keep your cholesterol levels in check. In fact, women concerned about their heart and bone health may be able to improve both by consuming three servings of dairy foods each day.
Recently published research in the European journal Maturitas found that an osteoporosis prevention program including a dairy-rich diet and nutrition education also had a positive effect on certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Eighty-two women, ages 55-65, were randomized into either a control group or a dietary intervention group for a five-month study period. The treatment group received biweekly nutrition education and three daily servings of lowfat, fortified dairy foods. Despite the fact that the study’s aim was to examine whether the high-dairy diet for osteoporosis risk reduction could have any adverse effect on CVD risk factors, the researchers discovered that the opposite may be true. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had favorable changes in fat intake, BMI, systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, they saw increases in the intervention group’s intake of micronutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, which the authors note could be primarily attributed to the increased consumption of dairy products. The researchers concluded that encouraging postmenopausal women to consume a diet rich in lowfat dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and moderate in olive oil has the dual benefit of minimizing risk factors for both osteoporosis and CVD.
Manios Y, et al. Nutrition education in postmenopausal women: Changes in dietary and cardiovascular indices. Maturitas. November 2006; 55: 338-347.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Althea Zanecosky, MS, RD, LDN, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association}
Dairy Intake Enhances Weight Loss in Overweight Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
A new study reports good news for people with type 2 diabetes – food for thought for September’s American Diabetes Month!
In a study reported in the March 2007 issue of Diabetes Care, researchers found that higher intakes of lowfat dairy foods was associated with improved weight loss in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was a secondary analysis of data from a six-month randomized clinical trial looking at the effect of three diets on 259 overweight adults with type 2 diabetes, ages 30-65. After the intervention, researchers grouped participants by level of dairy intake, which varied based on personal preference. Despite a higher calorie intake, participants with the highest dairy calcium intake were significantly more likely to achieve weight loss greater than 8 percent than those with the lowest dairy calcium intake. The authors note that previous research has demonstrated a beneficial effect of dairy intake on weight loss and diabetes-related indicators and concluded based on these new findings that “a diet rich in lowfat dairy products seems highly appropriate for weight loss among diabetic patients.”
Shahar DR, et al. Does Dairy Calcium Intake Enhance Weight Loss Among Overweight Diabetic Patients? Diabetes Care. March 2007; 30: 485-489.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Althea Zanecosky, MS, RD, LDN, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association}
Dairy Foods May Aid in Reducing Fat Absorption Following Meals
If you reach for the container of calcium supplements rather than the gallon of milk in the refrigerator to meet your daily calcium needs, you may want to reconsider: a recent study found that dairy foods may limit fat absorption following meals and may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk.
Researchers in Denmark found that consuming a meal rich in calcium from dairy foods, but not supplements, resulted in lower levels of fat in the bloodstream after a meal compared to a low-calcium meal. Four test meals (high, medium and low calcium from dairy or high-supplemental calcium) were consumed on four different days by 18 subjects (average age of 25.7 years). Post-meal blood lipid response was 17 to 19 percent lower after consuming the medium- and high-dairy meals compared to the low-calcium meal. The authors hypothesize that the calcium in dairy foods may limit fat absorption following meals. They also note that long-term high intake of dairy foods may have beneficial effects on blood lipids and therefore on cardiovascular disease risk.
Lorenzen JK, et al. Effect of dairy calcium or supplementary calcium intake on postprandial fat metabolism, appetite, and subsequent energy intake. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007; 85: 678-687.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Carolyn Hudson, RD, LD, Midwest Dairy Council}
More Dairy, Fruits and Vegetables Could Mean Reduced Chronic Disease Risk in Women
Mom may have been right when she insisted that you drink your milk and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. A new study shows that eating plenty of foods from these three important food groups may contribute to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers in the United Kingdom found that a dietary pattern characterized by higher intakes of fruits, vegetables and lowfat dairy foods is associated with reductions in several chronic disease risk factors. This longitudinal study analyzed five-day food diaries of 1,265 men and women on three separate occasions at ages 36, 43 and 53. Researchers then compared participants’ dietary patterns to chronic disease risk factors measured at age 53. For women, a dietary pattern that included more lowfat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables was associated with lower body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and blood pressure and with healthier red blood cells. The authors note that this dietary pattern is similar to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which has been shown to help lower blood pressure. This study adds to the body of research indicating a link between eating patterns and chronic disease and reinforces the importance of eating a diet rich in dairy, fruits and vegetables.
McNaughton S, et al. Dietary Patterns Throughout Adult Life Are Associated with Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure, and Red Cell Folate. The Journal of Nutrition. 2007; 137: 99-105.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Carolyn Hudson, RD, LD, Midwest Dairy Council}
Soft Drinks May Rob Teens of Bone Building Calcium
As teens pack their lunches when they head back to school this fall, remind them to switch out the soda for calcium-rich milk. A recent study shows that as teens’ milk intake declines and their soft drink and fruit drink intakes increase, they may be missing out on important bone-building nutrients.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found that milk consumption has declined among Canadian teens, and that the decline has been accompanied by a decrease in calcium intake in girls. The researchers examined beverage consumption and calcium intake among Canadian teens, ages 14-16 years, at three points from 1991-2004, using serial 24-hour recalls to assess dietary intake. Beverages were classified into three groups: fluid milk, juice and soft drinks (excluding non-caloric beverages). Milk consumption decreased in both boys and girls from 1991-2004, while fruit juice and soft drink intake increased. A negative trend in calcium intake over time was observed in girls. The authors note the importance of adequate calcium intake during the teen years for achieving peak bone mass, especially for girls, who lose more bone mass later in life. In 2003 to 2004, soft drinks contributed approximately 50 percent of total caloric beverage intake in girls. The authors noted that even though Canada has banned the sale of carbonated soft drinks in elementary and middle schools since 2005, non-carbonated soft drinks raise the same health issues. The authors suggest adding chocolate milk to vending machines as a strategy to increase milk intake because of the higher acceptability of flavored milk among children and teens.
Vatanparast, H et al. A negative trend in calcium intake was accompanied by a substitution of milk by noncarbonated soft drinks in Canadian female students. Nutrition Research. 2006 (26) 325:329.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Barbara Baron, MS, RD, CDN, American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Inc.}
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.
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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.
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Isabel Maples, MEd, RD
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imaples@milk4u.org
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