|
|
 |
|
Sign
up for the NDC Update for the latest dairy nutrition news, fast facts,
free tools for patients, expert nutrition advice and information on updated
dairy nutrition resources.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News Alert Archives
Got Milk? Get Good Health
New JAMA Study Shows Milk, Cheese and Yogurt May Help Prevent Obesity, Type-2 Diabetes and Heart Disease
Rosemont, Ill., April 23, 2002 – A new study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that young adults who consume more dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, may be less likely to become obese and develop the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These findings are consistent with a growing body of research that demonstrates dairy’s role in reducing the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases.
The multi-center prospective study examined the correlation between dairy intake and IRS, a condition many Americans don’t know much about, but which may affect about one in four adults. IRS, also known as the metabolic syndrome or syndrome X, occurs when the body’s cells are resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas – which means blood sugar is not properly controlled and the body may compensate by trying to produce even more insulin. In addition to abnormal blood sugar control, characteristics of IRS include obesity, high blood pressure and abnormal blood lipids.
The researchers looked at the eating patterns of 3,157 African American and Caucasian young adults, both male and female over a 10-year period. Two comprehensive food intake reports were averaged – one taken at the start of the study and one taken seven years later – to determine participants’ habitual intake of dairy products and other foods.
The results showed that overweight individuals, regardless of race or sex, who consumed more dairy products had a lower risk of developing IRS. While overweight individuals typically consumed fewer dairy products than their normal-weight counterparts, those who consumed the most dairy products had a 71 percent lower incidence of IRS than those who consumed the fewest dairy products. All types of dairy foods, both reduced and full-fat versions, provided the benefit. In addition, those who consumed more dairy foods were more likely to have healthier eating habits overall with higher intakes of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lower intakes of sugar-sweetened soft drinks.
Nutrient Package May Play a Role
While the researchers were unable to explain how dairy foods impact IRS, they point to several previous studies linking dairy foods and dairy food components such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium to reduced risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. In addition, they refer to the growing body of research showing that dairy food consumption plays an important role in body weight regulation. The researchers say that the decrease in milk and dairy product consumption over the past few decades, accompanied by an increase of soda consumption and snacking among children and teens, may play an important role in the current epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as in the increase in heart disease rates.
The DASH studies (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) funded by the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, demonstrate that a dietary pattern that includes at least three servings of lowfat dairy foods and 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables in the diet provides heart-healthy benefits including reduced blood pressure and blood lipid levels.
“We’ve known for some time that adding more dairy foods, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis and possibly even colon cancer,” said Deanna Rose, a registered dietitian for the National Dairy Council. “Now we can add to that list the important role dairy foods may play in helping control weight and reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”
Rose offers the following tips to help consumers incorporate more milk and dairy foods into the diet.
Fruit for Thought – Try one of the new milk drinks – they come in fun flavors like banana, strawberry or even peanut butter!
Cheese Please – Wake up your favorite vegetable or baked potato by topping it with shredded cheese.
Snack Right – Mix lowfat or fat free yogurt, fruit and lowfat granola for a crunchy treat.
Java Junkie – If you’re a java junkie, make sure to lap up a latte instead of a regular old black coffee.
Source: Pereira, M.A. et al. Dairy Consumption, Obesity, and the Insulin Resistance Syndrome in Young Adults. JAMA 2002; 287: 2081-2089.
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE: To schedule interviews, call 312-240-2880
Deanna Rose, R.D., National Dairy Council
You can rely on the National Dairy Council for credible,
up-to-date news on dairy nutrition research, public policies on nutritional
issues and special dairy nutrition campaigns. Please browse the
News Alert archives or use the search located above the left hand
navigation for more information. If you can't find what you are looking for or
have additional questions, please contact our Nutrition & Health News
Bureau via phone at 312-240-2880 or via e-mail at
ndc@dairyinformation.com.
|