HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Weinsier, R. L Articles by Krumdieck, C. L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Weinsier, R. L Articles by Krumdieck, C. L Agricola Articles by Weinsier, R. L Articles by Krumdieck, C. L

Dairy foods and bone health: examination of the evidence^1,2

¹ From the Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

It is unclear whether dairy foods promote bone health in all populations and whether all dairy foods are equally beneficial. The objective of this review was to determine whether scientific evidence supports the recommendation that dairy foods be consumed daily for improved bone health in the general US population. Studies were reviewed that examined the relation of dairy foods to bone health in all age, sex, and race groups. Outcomes were classified according to the strength of the evidence by using a priori guidelines and were categorized as favorable, unfavorable, or not statistically significant. Of 57 outcomes of the effects of dairy foods on bone health, 53% were not significant, 42% were favorable, and 5% were unfavorable. Of 21 stronger-evidence studies, 57% were not significant, 29% were favorable, and 14% were unfavorable. The overall ratio of favorable to unfavorable effects in the stronger studies was 2.0 (4.0 in <30-y-olds, 1.0 in 30–50-y-olds, and 1.0 in >50-y-olds). Males and ethnic minorities were severely underrepresented. Dairy foods varied widely in their content of nutrients known to affect calcium excretion and skeletal mass. Foods such as milk and yogurt are likely to be beneficial; others, such as cottage cheese, may adversely affect bone health. Of the few stronger-evidence studies of dairy foods and bone health, most had outcomes that were not significant. However, white women <30 y old are most likely to benefit. There are too few studies in males and minority ethnic groups to determine whether dairy foods promote bone health in most of the US population.

Key Words: Dairy food • milk • dietary calcium • bone density • bone mass • bone mineral • bone fracture • review

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. Manios, G. Moschonis, G. Trovas, and G. P Lyritis Changes in biochemical indexes of bone metabolism and bone mineral density after a 12-mo dietary intervention program: the Postmenopausal Health Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2007; 86(3): 781 - 789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Platt, L. G. Rao, and A. El-Sohemy Isomer-Specific Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Mineralized Bone Nodule Formation from Human Osteoblast-LikeCells Experimental Biology and Medicine, February 1, 2007; 232(2): 246 - 252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Lanou, S. E. Berkow, and N. D. Barnard Calcium, Dairy Products, and Bone Health in Children and Young Adults: A Reevaluation of the Evidence Pediatrics, March 1, 2005; 115(3): 736 - 743. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. D McCabe, B. R Martin, G. P McCabe, C. C Johnston, C. M Weaver, and M. Peacock Dairy intakes affect bone density in the elderly Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2004; 80(4): 1066 - 1074. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Feskanich, W. C Willett, and G. A Colditz Calcium, vitamin D, milk consumption, and hip fractures: a prospective study among postmenopausal women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2003; 77(2): 504 - 511. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M Weaver and R. P Heaney Dairy consumption and bone health Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2001; 73(3): 660 - 660. [Full Text] [PDF]