What are the links between milk products and healthy bones?

Milk products are like a tool-kit for bone health. All milk products are a naturally good source of the nutrients that help build and keep healthy bones: calcium, vitamin A, protein, phosphorous, and magnesium. In addition, milk is fortified with vitamin D-calcium's partner in bone health.

Can milk help you lose weight?

Yes! Studies show that people who eat low calcium diets have twice the risk of being overweight as those who eat a high calcium diet. Why? Scientists believe that a high calcium diet helps us to burn energy as heat, while a low calcium diet makes our bodies store it as fat. And research shows that when people get their extra calcium from dairy foods, they lose more weight and keep it off, compared to those who get their calcium from supplements. (link to ABC's of Weight Loss)

Can milk help lower your blood pressure?

Yes! Recent research shows that a simple shift in your eating habits, to include 3-4 serving of milk products and 8 -10 servings of fruits and vegetables can help lower your blood pressure. In these studies, when milk was added to a diet high in fruit and vegetables, it lowered blood pressure twice as much as a diet high in fruit and vegetables alone. Nutrients like calcium, potassium and magnesium found in milk products and fruits and vegetables are linked to a healthy blood pressure. And, research shows that these nutrients work best when we get them from food. (link to DASH Diet info and DASH to Good Health Booklet).

Are milk products healthy for your heart?

Many people mistakenly believe that to protect their heart, they must cut dairy products out of their diet.

New research shows that milk contains several substances that are beneficial to your heart. A high intake of calcium is believed to protect against a heart disease. We know that a diet high in dairy products and vegetables and fruit can actually lower your blood pressure and decrease the amount of a substance called homocysteine in your blood. High blood levels of homocysteine and high blood pressure are major risk factors for coronary heart disease.

High blood cholesterol is also a risk factor for heart disease. Eating fermented milk products regularly like yogourt that contain heart-healthy bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus, can reduce blood cholesterol.

CLA, a type of fat found in milk may keep your heart healthy by also reducing your blood cholesterol.

Does milk ward off strokes?

There is strong evidence that the calcium from dairy sources, but not from non-dairy sources decreased the risk of stroke by 50%. Researchers are now trying to determine if it was the calcium itself, other substances found in milk, or health behaviors related to milk drinking that may contribute to milk's protection.

Does drinking milk protect against some types of cancer?

It appears that CLA (conjugated Linoelic Acid) a type of fat contained in milk, may protect us from colon and breast cancer. Other substances in milk such as sphingomyelin and butyric acid are also potential anti-cancer agents. In fact, a large study showed that women who drank milk were less likely to get breast cancer. There is also new evidence indicating that women who consumed dairy products regularly had a lower rate of ovarian cancer. More studies are underway to determine how milk products may decrease our risk of these and other cancers.

Does the calcium in milk cause kidney stones?

No, a high intake of calcium from foods appears to decrease the risk of kidney stones. However, a high intake of calcium from supplements may increase the risk. Milk products are the most common source of calcium in the Canadian diet.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics is the term used to describe 'friendly bacteria', some of which are added to milk products for extra health benefits. Probiotics is based on the belief that certain types of bacteria in food can reduce the levels of harmful bacteria that may be found in the digestive tract. For example, probiotics have helped people recover from diarrahea as a result of antibiotic treatment. Probiotics also decrease blood cholesterol and may decrease the risk of urinary tract infections in women. Examples of probiotic milk products include yogourt and acidophilus milk (link to What is acidophilus milk?)

What is CLA?

CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, is a type of fat found in milk. CLA is an anti-cancer agent and may protect us against certain types of cancer such as breast and colon cancer.

Is there any health benefit to eating dairy fat?

Some scientists believe that certain fats in milk contain potential anti-cancer substances such as CLA, spingomyelin and butyric acid. The fat in milk contains the fat-soluble vitamins A,D,E, and K. And the fat in milk may be one reason why milk protects protect our teeth from cavities.

What else has milk done for me lately?

Many people mistakenly believe that milk is only good for your bones. Milk plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer and other health issues such as oral health and premenstrual syndrome.

Does milk prevent cavities?

Yes. Several studies suggest that milk products prevent the enamel on our teeth from breaking down and also help in rebuilding enamel. A variety of cheeses such as aged cheddar, swiss, blue, monterey jack, mozzarella, brie and edam produce little or no plaque and help prevent root cavities.

Can milk help the symptoms of PMS?

PMS, premenstrual syndrome is a set of mood, thought and physical symptoms that occur before the onset of menstruation. Research has shown that increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D may help reduce PMS symptoms, such as bloating, fatigue, irritability, abdominal cramps and back pain. The best way to increase your calcium and vitamin D intake is to drink milk.