DAIRY'S BENEFICIAL ROLE IN WOMEN'S HEALTH
Volume 77, Number 2 Mar/Apr 2006
Summary
Women are at unique risk for various nutrition-related diseases and conditions because of their specific dietary needs. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 3 cups a day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products (i.e., yogurt, cheese). This advice is especially important for women. Women’s low consumption of dairy foods reduces their intake of essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D and may contribute to their risk for various diseases or disorders that can affect the length and quality of their lives.
Among the 10 million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis, 80% are women. One in two women, compared to one in four men, over age 50 will eventually develop an osteoporosis-related fracture. Consuming a nutritionally balanced diet containing foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and regular weight-bearing exercise are major lifestyle strategies to help prevent osteoporosis. Numerous studies in women from young adulthood to later years indicate that meeting age-appropriate recommendations for dairy foods or dairy food nutrients (e.g., calcium, vitamin D, protein) helps to maximize peak bone mass and reduce bone loss and the incidence of osteoporosis.
Many women are overweight or obese and engaged in weight loss efforts. Emerging scientific research indicates that intake of 3 servings/day of dairy products, such as milk, cheese, or yogurt, incorporated in a calorie-reduced diet may enhance the weight loss efforts of overweight or obese women.
Additional potential benefits of dairy foods for women have been reported. A diet rich in dairy foods or dairy food nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D may help alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. This disorder affects 8 to 20% of women of childbearing age. Also, intake of dairy foods and dairy food nutrients (e.g., calcium, potassium, magnesium, protein) has been linked to reduced risk of stroke in women. More women experience and die from a stroke than do men. Increased intakes of calcium, particularly from foods, and dairy products are associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women.
Increased intake of dietary calcium has been shown to be associated with reduced risk of developing kidney stones in women. Also, women who consume fermented dairy products such as yogurt and certain cheeses may lower their risk of urinary tract infections.
Consuming 3 servings of milk, cheese, or yogurt a day as part of a nutritionally balanced diet improves the nutrient quality of women’s diets and contributes to their health. Also, by serving as role models (e.g., consuming dairy foods and making these foods readily available), women can positively influence children’s dairy food intake and consequently their health.
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