Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
Han Jie Compiled on April 6, 2020
For many Americans, milk is a daily staple—whether as a companion to coffee or a bedtime drink. However, on February 21, 2020, the medical news website (www.medicalnewstoday.com) published an article titled "Milk: Is It as Healthy as We Think?" In the article, Walter C. Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard University, pointed out that the amount of milk one should drink daily depends on individual circumstances, with an average of one glass per day being sufficient. "Drinking three glasses of milk a day is entirely unnecessary." Therefore, he recommends that adults consume between zero to about two glasses of milk daily.
**Basis of Recommendation: Limited Data**
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for 2015–2020 recommend that individuals aged nine and older consume three cups of fat-free or low-fat (1%) dairy products per day. Dairy products include milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soy milk. However, the average daily dairy consumption among American adults is only about 1.6 cups, far below the recommended level.
An article published in the *New England Journal of Medicine* (NEJM) at the end of 2019 questioned the evidence supporting these recommendations. The authors, Dr. Walter C. Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard, and Dr. David S. Ludwig, an endocrinologist, noted that the U.S. milk consumption guidelines were based on studies assessing calcium balance in just 155 adults, where the estimated calcium intake needed to maintain balance was 741 mg per day.
They pointed out that past research on daily milk consumption and calcium intake has been very limited. "Besides small sample sizes, these studies had other limitations, including short durations (2–3 weeks) and high habitual calcium intake." They stated that the evidence does not support the claim that milk consumption reduces the risk of hip fractures. On the contrary, countries with high milk and calcium intake have "the highest rates of hip fractures."
They cited a 2014 study by Dr. Willett published in *JAMA Pediatrics*, which investigated the risk of hip fractures in men related to their milk consumption during adolescence. The results showed that higher milk consumption was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures later in life. Growth speed and height were also discussed. They wrote, "The health effects of accelerated growth and increased adult height are complex." Shorter individuals have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease but a higher risk of certain cancers, hip fractures, and pulmonary embolism.
Subsequently, Willett and Ludwig examined whether milk consumption benefits weight management in adults and children but found "no clear effect." They also noted, "Contrary to USDA recommendations, low-fat milk offers no advantage over whole milk in weight control. Evidence suggests that long-term consumption of low-fat milk in children may lead to weight gain."
They further argued that evidence supporting milk's favorable effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels is weak, and studies do not support milk as a risk factor for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Findings on cancer are mixed. Some studies link milk intake to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, possibly due to its high calcium content, while others point to increased rates of breast, prostate, and endometrial cancers.The amount of milk to drink should be determined based on individual circumstances.
Willett stated that if one consumes a low-quality diet rich in refined starches and sugars, milk can fill some important nutritional gaps. "However, if the diet is of good quality, the additional nutritional benefits from milk are significantly reduced." He concluded, "When milk consumption is low, the two main nutrients—calcium and vitamin D (especially a concern in high-latitude regions)—can be obtained from other foods without the negative effects of dairy products."
The two suggested, "For calcium, other dietary sources include kale, broccoli, tofu, nuts, beans, and fortified orange juice; supplements can provide adequate vitamin D intake at a much lower cost than fortified milk." Willett noted that U.S. dietary guidelines recommend dairy products as a significant portion of the overall diet. However, years of research have not clearly supported the need for such high intake to prevent fractures and have raised some concerns about potential harm.
He also mentioned that cattle farming has a substantial environmental impact, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. If everyone drank three glasses of milk daily, avoiding global warming would become extremely difficult. "This should at least be considered when making decisions about milk production and consumption."
So, should people drink milk or not? He explained, "Milk is not an essential component of a healthy diet, but moderate consumption is compatible with good health."
Source: https:/ / www. worldjournal. com……E% E5% 9C% 8B% E5% 8D% B3% E6% 99% 82
Study Finds: Milk Isn't as Healthy as Thought
For many Americans, milk is a daily staple—whether as a companion to coffee or a bedtime drink. However, on February 21, 2020, the medical news website (www.medicalnewstoday.com) published an article titled "Milk: Is It as Healthy as We Think?" In the article, Walter C. Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard University, pointed out that the amount of milk one should drink daily depends on individual circumstances, with an average of one glass per day being sufficient. "Drinking three glasses of milk a day is entirely unnecessary." Therefore, he recommends that adults consume between zero to about two glasses of milk daily.
**Basis of Recommendation: Limited Data**
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for 2015–2020 recommend that individuals aged nine and older consume three cups of fat-free or low-fat (1%) dairy products per day. Dairy products include milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soy milk. However, the average daily dairy consumption among American adults is only about 1.6 cups, far below the recommended level.
An article published in the *New England Journal of Medicine* (NEJM) at the end of 2019 questioned the evidence supporting these recommendations. The authors, Dr. Walter C. Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard, and Dr. David S. Ludwig, an endocrinologist, noted that the U.S. milk consumption guidelines were based on studies assessing calcium balance in just 155 adults, where the estimated calcium intake needed to maintain balance was 741 mg per day.
They pointed out that past research on daily milk consumption and calcium intake has been very limited. "Besides small sample sizes, these studies had other limitations, including short durations (2–3 weeks) and high habitual calcium intake." They stated that the evidence does not support the claim that milk consumption reduces the risk of hip fractures. On the contrary, countries with high milk and calcium intake have "the highest rates of hip fractures."
They cited a 2014 study by Dr. Willett published in *JAMA Pediatrics*, which investigated the risk of hip fractures in men related to their milk consumption during adolescence. The results showed that higher milk consumption was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures later in life. Growth speed and height were also discussed. They wrote, "The health effects of accelerated growth and increased adult height are complex." Shorter individuals have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease but a higher risk of certain cancers, hip fractures, and pulmonary embolism.
Subsequently, Willett and Ludwig examined whether milk consumption benefits weight management in adults and children but found "no clear effect." They also noted, "Contrary to USDA recommendations, low-fat milk offers no advantage over whole milk in weight control. Evidence suggests that long-term consumption of low-fat milk in children may lead to weight gain."
They further argued that evidence supporting milk's favorable effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels is weak, and studies do not support milk as a risk factor for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Findings on cancer are mixed. Some studies link milk intake to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, possibly due to its high calcium content, while others point to increased rates of breast, prostate, and endometrial cancers.The amount of milk to drink should be determined based on individual circumstances.
Willett stated that if one consumes a low-quality diet rich in refined starches and sugars, milk can fill some important nutritional gaps. "However, if the diet is of good quality, the additional nutritional benefits from milk are significantly reduced." He concluded, "When milk consumption is low, the two main nutrients—calcium and vitamin D (especially a concern in high-latitude regions)—can be obtained from other foods without the negative effects of dairy products."
The two suggested, "For calcium, other dietary sources include kale, broccoli, tofu, nuts, beans, and fortified orange juice; supplements can provide adequate vitamin D intake at a much lower cost than fortified milk." Willett noted that U.S. dietary guidelines recommend dairy products as a significant portion of the overall diet. However, years of research have not clearly supported the need for such high intake to prevent fractures and have raised some concerns about potential harm.
He also mentioned that cattle farming has a substantial environmental impact, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. If everyone drank three glasses of milk daily, avoiding global warming would become extremely difficult. "This should at least be considered when making decisions about milk production and consumption."
So, should people drink milk or not? He explained, "Milk is not an essential component of a healthy diet, but moderate consumption is compatible with good health."
Source: https:/ / www. worldjournal. com……E% E5% 9C% 8B% E5% 8D% B3% E6% 99% 82