Not All Dairy Products Are Equal

New Study Sheds Light On Link Between Dairy Intake and Bone Health: Not All Dairy Products Are Equal     

 A study by researchers has found that diary intake-specifically milk and yogurt-is associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip, but not the spine. Cream, on the other hand, may be associated with lower BMD overall.

These findings suggest that not all diary products are equally beneficial in promoting bone strength.

Diary foods provide several important nutrients that are beneficial for bone health. However, cream and it's products such as ice cream have lower levels of these nutrients and have higher levels of fat and sugar. In this study, 2-3 servings of milk and yogurt intake per day were associated with better bone density.

Past studies suggest that dairy products contain more than one beneficial nutrient, and for this reason certain dairy products may contribute towards maintaining healthier bones.

Research supports the idea that proper nutrition can help combat osteoporosis and fractures. Osteoporosis is considered a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or half of those aged 50 and older.

An estimated 10 million in the U.S. already have the disease. Woman are at higher risk than men.

Another 34 million Americans have low bone density, putting them at increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist. About one-quarter of those who suffer a hip fracture die within a year of the injury.

Osteoporosis-related fractures were responsible for an estimated $19 billion in health care costs, with that figure expected to increase to $25 billion.