Fit Fare

For all my faithful readers out there, this will be my final post here at Fit Fare, so I bid you adieu. I thought I would leave you all with a thought provoking article on diary foods. Long touted as the superior calcium source for strong bones, this idealistic image of dairy is beginning to crumble. Several groups of physicians are beginning to warn against reliance on dairy foods.

Without directly dissing dairy, the American Academy of Pediatrics has begun to advocate breast milk over cow’s milk for infants. Their stance is partially based upon a study finding that milk can cause intestinal bleeding in infants, which may lead to iron deficiencies. For all of you who were forced to drink milk as a child, you are going to love the next bit. One pediatric study has shown that adult bone density correlates more with childhood physical activity levels than with calcium consumption. And a review, by Dr. Amy Lanou, of multiple studies concludes that there is no concrete evidence that dairy products improve bone calcium status. Dr. Lanou concludes that “To build strong bones and healthy bodies, children need exercise, sunshine, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables that helps them maintain a healthy body weight.”

Dairy consumption later in life seems to actually contribute to osteoporosis. In the mid-1990’s, the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine lodged a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission over the dairy industry’s ad campaigns that were deceptively promoting dairy for bone building. The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine recommends green vegetables as a superior source of calcium.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin, points out a further concern with reliance on dairy products over the course of one’s life – milk consumption has been linked to prostrate cancer risk. Even though milk is often fortified with vitamin D, the calcium in milk can effectively reduces your vitamin D stores, such that regular consumers have below optimal levels of vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to cancer risk. Of further concern are insulin-like-growth-factors found in milk, which appear to stimulate the spread of cancer.

The dairy industry spends millions of dollars advertising the purported health benefits of milk products — health claims that even the USDA agrees are unsubstantiated. The industry’s most recent claim that milk products aid weight loss has also proven unmerited.

In conclusion, treat dairy products like you would any indulgence – use in moderation. Don’t expect to reap any health benefits.