Report attacks milk’s role in building strong bones
By Dairy Herd news source
| Wednesday, March 09, 2005
According to an article in the February issue of Pediatrics, milk may not be the best calcium source to help kids build strong bones. That message flies in the face of countless studies completed over the years that link dairy consumption with building strong bones.
But, unless you know the lead researcher is a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine – an animal rights group with just 5 percent of the membership being actual physicians – you may be inclined to believe the message.
A statement by the National Dairy Council and the International Dairy Foods Association, calls the article an “opinion piece” and that the authors “chose to ignore decades of comprehensive research endorsing dairy’s role in bone health.”
Consensus in the scientific and medical community is strong regarding the value of dairy foods in a healthy diet. In fact, for information on the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) current calcium policy statement, go to: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;104/5/1152
The U.S. Surgeon General, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are just a few of the organizations that confirm that milk and milk products are a good way for kids and teens to get the bone-building calcium they need.
When it comes to nutrition, people should listen to health and nutrition experts, not animal rights activists.
The NDC and IDFA encourage consumers to learn more about sound science on calcium and bone health at these Web sites:
1. NICHD's extensive, publicly funded education program called "Milk Matters" explains why milk is so essential in the development of kids and teens. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/ .
2. In 2004, the U.S. Surgeon General called for all Americans to take action to improve and maintain healthy bones. He urged people of all ages to meet daily requirements for calcium and Vitamin D with three glasses of lowfat milk each day to reach this goal. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/bonehealth/
3. The CDC's longstanding National Bone Health Campaign(TM), "Powerful Girls, Powerful Bones," encourages teen girls to get the calcium they need for healthy bones. http://www.cdc.gov/powerfulbones/index_content.html .
MSNBC, PRNewswire, National Dairy Council
