New Study Shatters Myths about Milk
 A
new review in the March issue of Pediatrics has thrown
into question some long-established myths about milk. The authors—PCRM
senior nutrition scientist Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D.; PCRM president
Neal Barnard, M.D.; and Susan Berkow, Ph.D., C.N.S.—reviewed
more than 50 studies addressing the effect of dairy products and
other calcium-containing foods on bone integrity in children, adolescents,
and young adults.
Their conclusion: Little scientific evidence exists to support
the suggestion that milk builds strong bones or to justify the U.S.
government’s artificially high recommendations for calcium
intake. A vast majority of studies found no relationship between
dairy or dietary calcium intake and measures of bone health.
Additionally, the authors found no proof to support the notion
that milk is a preferred source of calcium. While milk and other
dairy products contain calcium, many factors affect the availability
and retention of the calcium from these products. For example, the
calcium in dairy products is not as well absorbed as that in many
dark-green leafy vegetables, but has an absorption fraction similar
to that of calcium supplements, calcium-enriched beverages, calcium-set
tofu, sweet potatoes, and beans.
Studies show that physical activity has the greatest positive impact
on adolescents’ bone health. In addition, spending some time
in the sunlight, avoiding smoking and high salt and caffeine intakes,
and eating lots of fruits and vegetables are all good strategies
for supporting healthy bone development and maintenance.
PCRM held a news conference in Washington, D.C., on March 7
to share the findings of its bone health paper. Hundreds of media
outlets covered the story, including Associated Press, Reuters,
the Washington Post, CBS News, and CNN.
PCRM Online,
March 2005
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