Calcium + Protein = Strong Bones
Mom always said drink your milk for strong bones. Now a new study shows that it’s the calcium and protein in milk that helps prevent osteoporosis.
Recently published research in the Journal of Nutrition suggest that dietary protein helps build bone mass in teen girls when they consume higher intakes of calcium, but has no effect on bone mass in those with lower calcium intakes. This longitudinal study included 133 young adults with a mean age of 23 years at adulthood that participated in the Canadian Saskatchewan Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study (PBMAS) from 1991-1997 and 2003-2006. Assessments were taken of total body bone mineral content and total body bone mineral density along with dietary intake using 24 -hour recalls. Results showed that protein intake had a beneficial effect on the bone mass of females at peri-adolescence or early adulthood consuming greater than 1000 mg of calcium each day. However young females consuming lower amounts of calcium did not see a significant effect of protein on bone mass. The authors of the study state that their findings suggest that protein intake has a beneficial effect on bone development during a critical time in females bone building years and that adequate calcium intake is necessary to see this effect. The authors report that milk products are the main source of dietary calcium and are also the second main food source of protein in the Canadian diet. They also note that in addition to calcium, milk provides potassium and phosphorus, further enhancing the bone building effect of dietary protein.
Vatanparast H, et al. The Effects of Dietary Protein on Bone Mineral Mass in Young Adults May Be Modulated by Adolescent Calcium Intake. Journal of Nutrition. 2007; 137: 2674-2679.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Barbara Baron, MS, RD, CDN, ADADC, Inc.}
Will Drinking Milk Help Girls Breathe Easier?
Researchers find for the first time that infrequent milk consumption and being overweight is associated with asthma in young girls.
Researchers at the University of Manitoba, studying the relationship between asthma, frequency of milk consumption and being overweight, found that girls with asthma are more likely to be overweight and consume milk infrequently when compared to non-asthmatic girls. This case-controlled study examined 246 asthmatic and 477 non-asthmatic children between the ages of 8-10 years. Researchers found a significant association between infrequent milk consumption and asthma in girls. The odds of having asthma increased 3.6 times for girls who were both infrequent milk consumers and overweight, when compared to girls without asthma. This association was not found in boys. The researchers concluded that although more research is warranted, infrequent milk consumption in addition to being overweight may increase risk for asthma in girls.
Mai XM, et al. Infrequent Milk Consumption Plus Being Overweight May Have Great Risk for Asthma in Girls. Allergy. 2007; 62: 1295-1301.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Carolyn Suerth Hudson, RD, LD, Midwest Dairy Council}
Calcium and Beyond: Dairy Foods and Fruits and Vegetables May Help With Bone Fractures and Hypertension
Consumption of dairy foods has benefits beyond bone health, including possibly lowering the risk of high blood pressure.
Researchers from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom (UK) looked at the association of dietary calcium and other potential bone building nutrients – protein, vitamin D, vitamin C, retinol, carotene, potassium, and magnesium - with the risk of fracture rates. Lifestyle and food frequency questionnaires were completed at baseline and again at 5 years in this large prospective study including 34,696 British men and women between the ages of 20-89 years. Results showed an increase in fracture risk of women whose daily calcium intake was below 525 mg per day when compared to women with a calcium intake of at least 1200 mg per day, with the greatest risk seen in women under 50 years old. The researchers did not observe an association between any of the other nutrients analyzed and fracture risk. A recent research review published in the Journal of Nutrition, indicates that increased calcium as well as potassium and protein intakes can positively affect bone health. Both articles highlight the importance of calcium’s role in bone health and emphasize a calcium-rich diet. The authors in the Journal of Nutrition review call out the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet, for promoting optimal bone health, as it is a calcium-rich diet that emphasizes low-fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables.
Key T, et al. Calcium, diet and fracture risk: a prospective study of 1898 incident fractures among 34 696 British women and men. Public Health Nutrition. 2007; 10:1314-1320.
Tylavksy F, et al. The Importance of Calcium, Potassium, and Acid-Base Homeostasis in Bone Health and Osteoporosis Prevention. Journal of Nutrition. 2008; 138: 164S-165S.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Barbara Baron, MS, RD, CDN, ADADC, Inc.}
Fast Facts
American Academy of Pediatrics Revised Statement on Pediatric Allergies is Good News for Mom’s Who Love Milk
A new report by the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concludes that it may be unnecessary for pregnant and lactating women to restrict foods like cow’s milk, eggs and peanuts from their diets to prevent their infants from developing atopic diseases such as eczema, asthma and food allergies. The clinical report, which was published in the January issue of Pediatrics, states that there is a lack of evidence to show that maternal dietary restriction of potentially allergenic foods is effective in preventing the development of atopic disease in their children, with the possible exception of atopic eczema. Evidence does support the finding that exclusive breastfeeding for at least four months decreases the incidence of atopic dermatitis (eczema), cow milk allergy and wheezing in the first few years of childhood. The AAP also recommends that solid foods should not be introduced before four to six months of age and states that there is no convincing evidence indicating that delaying their introduction any longer would prevent the development of atopic disease.
Greer FR, et al. Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restrictions, Breastfeeding, Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods and Hydrolyzed Formulas. Pediatrics. 2008; 121: 183-191.
{Scientific synopsis provided by Carolyn Suerth Hudson, RD,LD, Midwest Dairy Council}
Just in Time for Mother’s Day: MyPyramid Plan for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
The USDA recently added a new website to compliment the popular and user-friendly MyPyramid.gov, and is titled MyPyramid For Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. This site provides new and expectant moms valuable information on nutritional needs, weight gain, dietary supplements, food safety, special health needs and much more. After entering personal information such as age, due date, height, pre-pregnancy weight and physical activity, the tool provides the user with a personalized eating plan, outlined by trimester of pregnancy or stage of breastfeeding. Similar to the MyPyramid site for the general public, the MyPyramid Plan For Pregnancy and Breastfeeding is based on the USDA’s 2005 Dietary Guidelines and emphasizes consuming adequate servings of the food groups to encourage: whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy foods.
www.Mypyramid.gov
{Scientific synopsis provided by Carolyn Suerth Hudson, RD,LD, Midwest Dairy Council}
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