(St. Louis, MO – August, 2008)  A recent study provided more evidence that calcium plays a key role in helping kids build strong bones. The study, published in the journal Bone found that higher intakes of calcium, such as those recommended by the USDA, may significantly improve bone health in children.^[1]
Researchers reviewed data from 21 clinical trials with more than 3,800 children to determine how the intake of dietary calcium affects bone mineral content (BMC), an indicator of bone strength. The data showed that children who did not get enough calcium prior to the start of the studies experienced a significant increase in bone strength--approximately 25 times greater than children who already consumed adequate amounts of calcium. Equally important, the study suggests that there may be a calcium threshold for bone health – that is, the level of calcium intake that triggers a significant effect.
“Dairy and other foods that are rich in calcium are thought to be important for the growth and strengthening of bones in children and adolescents,” said Michael Huncharek MD, MPH, Director of the Meta-Analysis Research Group and lead author of the study. “In the US, dairy products tend to be the preferred source of calcium since diets that exclude dairy are often deficient in this important nutrient. The new findings show that for those children who have inadequate calcium intake, increasing dietary calcium has a significant impact on bone development. Since most children don’t get enough calcium, meeting calcium recommendations may help to prevent future osteoporosis.”
Currently, a large majority of children and adolescents in the U.S. do not meet the daily recommended calcium intake. According to the USDA, seven out of 10 boys and nine out of 10 girls are not consuming the calcium they need for strong bones.^[2],[3] Consuming at least 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods each day as part of a healthy diet, as recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, helps reduce the risk for osteoporosis.
 “It’s never too early to make bone health a priority. This study supports additional research that shows milk is an important source of calcium which helps build and maintain strong bones, muscles and teeth in children,” said Jennifer DeHoog, R.D.,L.D., Nutrition Educator with St. Louis District Dairy Council. “Consuming 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods each day gives children the calcium they need, along with eight other essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus and protein.”

For more information on bone health and the health benefits of dairy foods, check out www.stldairycouncil.org.

Want a Great Smile?   Brush, Floss…Eat Yogurt

Findings of a New Study Show Yogurt’s Role in Gum Health

(St. Louis, MO—June, 2008) Researchers in Japan found that daily intake of dairy foods containing lactic acid, such as yogurt, is associated with a lower prevalence of severe periodontal (gum) disease and tooth loss in non-smoking adults. Periodontal examinations and dietary surveys were analyzed from 942 Hisayama residents, age 40 to 79 years. The participants’ dairy intake was examined and classified into four groups: milk (low-fat and full-fat milk), cheese, lactic acid foods (yogurt) and other dairy products (fat-free milk and coffee creamer). Those with the highest intake of lactic acid foods had a 60 percent lower risk for generalized deep periodontal disease and a 50 percent lower risk for tooth loss than those who ate no lactic acid foods.
 

Shimazaki Y, et al. Intake of dairy products and periodontal disease: The Hisayama Study. Journal of Periodontology. 2008;79:131-137.
 

DASH to Dairy to Lower Blood Pressure

Low-Fat Dairy is Part of a Winning Team in the Blood Pressure Battle

(St. Louis, MO - June, 2008) New research adds to the body of evidence that dairy foods may indeed affect blood pressure and overall heart health. Findings from the Optimal Macronutrient Intake Trial to Prevent Heart Disease (OmniHeart) suggest that consumers have several options when it comes to creating a heart-healthy diet. Study participants with higher than normal blood pressure followed three different diets during the course of the study: 1) a carbohydrate-rich diet, 2) a higher protein diet and 3) a higher unsaturated fat diet. Each of the three diets met parameters of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet previously proven as effective in lowering blood pressure, and met the major recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing low-fat dairy foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. All three dietary patterns led to reduced blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels and reduced estimated coronary heart disease risk.

A second study, published in the Hypertension journal, analyzed diet supplement records from 4,680 men and women (ages 40-59) from Japan, China, UK and US. Results showed that dietary phosphorus, a nutrient found in dairy and other foods, was associated with reduced blood pressure. In addition to phosphorus, dietary calcium and magnesium were also shown to lower blood pressure significantly.

Both studies suggest that dairy foods and the nutrients they contain can be part of a heart-healthy diet. 

Swain J, et al. Characteristics of the diet patterns tested in the Optimal Micronutrient Intake Trial to Prevent Heart Disease (OmniHeart): options for a heart-healthy diet. Journal of the American Dietetic Association.2008;108:257-265.

Elliott P, et al. Dietary phosphorus and blood pressure: international study of macro- and micro-nutrients and blood pressure. Hypertension. 2008;51:669-675.

For more information on the studies or to schedule an interview on the benefits of dairy foods, please locate your St. Louis Dairy Council nutrition educator on the CONTACT US page.