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News Alert Archives
Nutrition & Health News Alert March - April 2003
Vol. 7 No. 2
Women May Reduce Cancer Risk with More Calcium
A new study shows that high calcium intake may lower colorectal cancer risk in women. Researchers studied the diets of 61,463 Swedish women for an average of 11.3 years to determine whether there is an association between dietary intakes of calcium, vitamin D and colorectal cancer risk. Using data from a food frequency questionnaire, researchers found that high dietary calcium intake was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, particularly cancer of the distal colon. Women over the age of 55, with the highest dietary calcium intake (816 to 1,300 mg/day) had a 67 percent significantly lower risk of developing cancer of the distal colon, and a 34 percent lower risk of all colorectal cancers than those with the lowest dietary calcium intake (176 to 568 mg/day). There was no clear association between vitamin D intake and colorectal cancer risk. The authors state their data suggest the association might be strongest in post-menopausal women, but that further study is needed on this point.
{Editor’s note: According to the American Cancer Society, in 2002, there were an estimated 57,300 new cases of colon cancer in women.}
Terry, P. et al. Dietary calcium and vitamin D intake and risk of colorectal cancer: A prospective cohort study in women. Nutrition and Cancer . 2002; 43(I), 39-46.
Milk-Drinking Kids Lead to Better Bones Later in Life
According to a recent study, women with low milk intake during childhood and adolescence have less bone mass and are at greater risk for fractures as adults. Using NHANES III (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, 1988-1994) data of 3,251 non-Hispanic white women ages 20 and older, researchers measured participants’ hip bone density, evaluated past and current dietary calcium intake through 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaires, as well as classified their fracture history into childhood (before age 13) fractures and osteoporotic (after age 50) fractures. Results indicate that the bone mineral content of women ages 20 to 49 was 5.6 percent lower in those who consumed less than one serving of milk a week than in those who consumed more than one serving of milk a day during childhood. Additionally, low milk intake during childhood was associated with a 3 percent reduction in hipbone mineral content and bone mineral density, as well as a two-fold greater risk of fracture. The researchers note that milk provides a variety of nutrients (protein, vitamin D, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium) that may favor bone mineralization.
{Editor’s note: a corresponding editorial by K.L. Tucker notes the compelling results of this study. Particularly, Tucker notes that "attention should be given to the potential for future effects of diminished milk intake on bone status and risk of fracture as there is growing pressure on schools to stock vending machines with soda and other caloric beverages that lack calcium."}
Kalkwarf, et al. Milk Intake during childhood and adolescence, adult bone density and osteoporotic fractures in US women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2003; 77: 257-265.
Tucker, K.L. Does milk intake in childhood protect against later osteoporosis? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2003; 77: 10-11.
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