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News Alert Archives
Nutrition & Health News Alert May - June 2003
Vol. 7 No. 3
Build Better Bones – With Protein and Calcium
In a new study¹, a Mayo Clinic researcher reports that a low protein, low calcium diet may increase the risk of bone fractures. This research examined the role of bone density, bone turnover, and other factors including diet to determine future fracture risk in more than 300 women. The women were monitored over a 16-year period. The results found that low bone density and a diet low in protein predicted the occurrence of fracture independently of other risk factors. Specifically, a low protein diet was associated with an increased risk of vertebral fractures and all other fractures related to osteoporosis. Additionally, a low calcium diet was associated with an increased risk of all osteoporosis-related fractures. This study provides additional support to a previous report from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study², which found that low dietary protein is associated with increased bone loss from the hip and spine in elderly women. Results of research on the role of protein intake on fracture risk are inconsistent – but a growing body of evidence indicates that adequate protein intake is important for bone health.
{Click here for a fact sheet on the role of protein and calcium in bone health.}
¹Melton, L.J. et al. Relative contributions of bone density, bone turnover and clinical risk factors to long-term fracture prediction. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2003; 18(2): 312-318.
²Hannan, M.T. et al. Effect of dietary protein on bone loss in elderly men and women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2000; 15: 2504-2512.
Yogurt May Protect Against Urinary Tract Infections
Researchers in Finland have found that eating certain dairy products, like yogurt and some cheeses, may lower the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) among women. In a case controlled trial, the eating habits of 139 women diagnosed with acute UTI were compared to the eating habits of 185 women of the same age with no episodes of UTI during the past five years. Those women who ate fermented milk products, such as yogurt and certain types of cheeses, three or more times a week had a 79 percent lower incidence of UTI than those who ate such foods once a week or less. Authors speculate that the probiotics found in foods like yogurt and some cheeses may inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and therefore protect against urinary tract infections.
Kontiokari, T. et al. Dietary factors protecting women from urinary tract infection. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2003; 77: 600-604.
Dairy Is Key to Promoting Bone Health of Growing Children
A recent study indicates that children who avoid milk due to milk allergies may have weaker bones than their milk-drinking counterparts. The study compared the bone mineralization of 27 children ages 3 to 8 who were diagnosed with milk allergy to the bone mineralization of similar-aged children without milk allergy. Ten of the milk-allergic children had below-normal bone mineralization, putting them at greater risk for bone fractures and osteoporosis later in life. But the good news is, most children outgrow milk allergies and can begin drinking nutrient-rich milk again. In fact, after 6 to 24 months on a milk-free diet, 20 of the 27 milk-allergic children no longer showed symptoms of milk allergy. The authors recommend that children with cow’s milk allergy receive calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and that those who outgrow their milk allergy begin consuming dairy products again to help build their bone mass. Note: if you suspect your child may have outgrown an existing milk allergy, check with your physician before changing your child’s diet.
Hidvégi, E. et al. Slight decrease in bone mineralization in cow milk-sensitive children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2003; 36(1): 44-49.
Strong Bones Have Their Roots In Youth: Calcium And Inactivity In Mid-puberty Matter
A recent study shows that calcium intake and physical activity levels in mid-puberty are associated with bone mass in early adulthood. The researchers examined data collected from 161 black and 180 white females (ages 21-24) who participated in the 10 year NHLBI Growth and Health Study and evaluated whether calcium intake and physical activity during mid-puberty (age 12) impact bone mass as young adults. The results show that consuming at least 1,000 mg of calcium a day during mid-puberty was associated with higher bone mass during young adulthood. Furthermore, calcium intake during mid-puberty was shown to be more strongly associated with bone mass during young adulthood than was calcium intake during early-puberty or late-puberty. Physical activity levels also played a role with those who were sedentary during pre-puberty having lower bone mass in their early 20s. The authors state that these findings have important policy implications since calcium intakes begin to decline in early adolescence and physical activity is low among American children.
{Editor’s Note: During the teen years, nearly half of all bone is formed and about 15 percent of adult height is added. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that children ages 9 to 18 get 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day, the amount found in about four servings of milk, cheese, or yogurt.}
Wang, M-C. et al. Diet in midpuberty and sedentary activity in prepuberty predict peak bone mass. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2003; 77:495-503.
Female and Asian Youth Need More Milk More Often
A new study found that Asian and female youth have low calcium intakes and that interventions to improve calcium intake should focus on improving milk intake of these groups. Specifically, the researchers examined the associations between calcium intake, food sources of calcium, age, gender, and ethnicity in 167 Asian, Hispanic and white youths ages 10 to 18. Results showed that the median calcium intake for all groups was well below the recommended 1,300 mg a day, but was particularly low for Asians and females. Results also indicated that among all variables examined, milk intake was the only significant predictor of calcium intake, with those with the lowest calcium intakes also consuming the lowest amounts of milk.
{Editors note: A study by Auld et. al. in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior in 2002 found that Asian girls preferred milk warm and sweetened in combination with other beverages, such as tea; Hispanic girls preferred milk in the form of shakes, pudding, and flan; and both Asian and Hispanic girls were more likely to prefer flavored milk.}
Novotny, R. et al. Calcium intake of asian, hispanic and white youth. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2003; 22: 64-70.
From the Expert...
Registered dietitian, mother of two and spokesperson for the National Dairy Council, Terri Verason recommends the following tips to help ensure kids get the calcium they need for strong and healthy bones.
Rise and Shine. Start the day off right by serving yogurt with breakfast and let your child add his or her favorite berries.
Make milk a family affair. Set an example for your children by drinking milk yourself. Replace a liter of soda with a pitcher of nutrient-rich lowfat milk on the dinner table.
Have a cheese fondue. Kids love finger foods and fondue is the perfect way to give them nutrient-rich foods in bite-size pieces. Melt your child’s favorite cheese and serve with breads, fruits and vegetables for dipping.
It’s cool to refuel. Stock your fridge with single-serve containers of flavored milk to grab on the go.
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.
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