Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
"Look, my child drinks milk like water, that's why they grow tall and strong."
Every time she hears someone say this, petite Mrs. Zhang starts to worry whether her son, who has an allergic constitution, might end up shorter because he drinks less milk.
Milk, with its complete and rich nutritional content, has long been regarded as the most cost-effective nutritional supplement.
The essential amino acids, calcium, and B vitamins in milk can provide the nutrients needed for human growth, development, and cell repair.
For the general population, who are often deficient in calcium and lead busy lives, drinking a glass of milk a day can meet 25% of the daily requirements for calcium and vitamin D, making it a convenient way to obtain nutrients.
However, is drinking more milk really healthier? The answer might not be so straightforward, as more and more experts believe that drinking milk should be done in moderation.
The ongoing debate over milk
In recent years, several studies have presented counter-evidence suggesting that excessive milk consumption can be harmful to health.
Particularly, a study published in the November 2004 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that excessive intake of dairy products could increase the risk of ovarian cancer in women.
This study also sparked a debate in the United States about whether one should drink milk or not.
*Debate 1: Drinking more milk can cause cancer
Professional view: There are many causes of cancer, and the mechanism by which milk might cause cancer is still unclear. A balanced intake of various foods is the best approach.
This Swedish study followed 60,000 women aged 38 to 76 for 13 years and found that women who drank more than four cups of dairy products daily had twice the risk of developing serous ovarian cancer compared to those who drank two cups a day.
Those who drank more than two cups a day had twice the risk of ovarian cancer compared to women who drank little or no dairy products.
Researchers speculate that lactose in milk might stimulate hormone production, leading to tumor growth.
This is not the first study to link milk with cancer.
Several studies have found that high intake of dairy products may increase the risk of ovarian and prostate cancer.
◎A 2001 Harvard University 11-year follow-up report found that consuming more than 2.5 servings of dairy products daily (one serving = 240cc of milk) increased the risk of prostate cancer by 34% compared to those who consumed less than or equal to 0.5 servings daily.
◎A Harvard University study of 80,000 nurses found that those who frequently drank milk had a 44% higher risk of ovarian cancer than those who did not; another similar report indicated that consuming one cup of low-fat milk daily increased the risk of ovarian cancer by 20%.
However, overall, the reason why dairy products might cause cancer remains unclear. Those who advocate continuing to drink milk argue that cancer has many causes and is not solely due to drinking milk.
Moreover, calcium supplementation is immediately necessary for postmenopausal women who experience significant bone loss. For example, the American Cancer Society advises that women should not avoid milk due to fear of cancer, and the recommended daily amount of milk (1-2 cups) is appropriate.
However, some experts believe that it is best to avoid drinking large amounts of milk until the situation is clearer.
Dr. Kate Law, who is leading a large-scale study on food and cancer involving 500,000 people in the UK, suggests that the best dietary approach is a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Professor Chen Junrong from the Department of Health and Nutrition at Taipei Medical University, who specializes in protein research, believes that excessive or insufficient intake of any food carries certain risks. As long as milk is not consumed excessively as a thirst-quenching beverage, it is generally safe."The current issue is drinking too much," reminded Zhao Qiang, a nutritionist at Taipei Mackay Memorial Hospital, noting that the calorie content of milk should not be underestimated. A serving of whole milk with 8 grams of fat contains 72 calories. Drinking one cup a day makes little difference, but consuming more than two cups daily can accumulate a significant amount of calories over time.
As for the osteoporosis problem that troubles many women, experts emphasize that milk is not a panacea. Without paying attention to exercise, it is still impossible to retain bone mass.
*Debate 2: Can drinking more milk solve osteoporosis?
Professional view: Only through exercise and dietary supplementation can bone mass be retained.
A 18-year Harvard Nurses' Health Study in 2003 found that drinking more milk does not reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractures.
"There is no close connection between milk and osteoporosis," affirmed Chen Junrong.
Milk can indeed supplement calcium, but consuming too much animal protein, such as milk and meat, can accelerate the loss of bone calcium.
Walter C. Willett, head of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard University, pointed out that sulfur-containing animal proteins entering the body can cause the blood to become acidic, forcing the body to extract calcium from the bone bank to balance the acidic blood.
Therefore, the more animal protein consumed, the greater the chance of calcium being excreted from the body.
Willett even criticized in the journal "Scientific American" that the U.S. government, on one hand, over-promotes dairy products, and on the other hand, overemphasizes the importance of dairy products for bone health.
He analyzed that modern people already consume too much protein and should moderate their intake of dairy products.
"We cannot assume that consuming so much dairy is safe," Willett suggested, stating that if adults follow a good diet, one serving of dairy per day is sufficient.
Moreover, to retain bone mass, merely consuming calcium supplements is not enough; moderate exercise is also necessary to retain calcium.
"Only supplementing calcium without exercise will not be effective," Zhao Qiang pointed out, noting that bones become stronger with more movement. Research has found that exercises that utilize body weight, such as running or jumping, can make our bones stronger.
Additionally, some claims about milk curing diseases have even been debunked many years ago.
*Controversy 3: Can drinking more milk protect the stomach lining?
Professional view: Milk may worsen stomach ulcers in some people.
More than a decade ago, milk was considered a good dietary remedy for protecting the stomach lining because the protein and lactose in milk can form a film to protect the stomach wall.
However, some people experience more stomach pain after drinking milk. It was later discovered that the casein in milk is difficult to digest and can coagulate into lumps in the stomach, increasing stomach acid secretion and exacerbating ulcer symptoms.
Nutritionist Zhao Qiang mentioned that several years ago, the medical community removed milk from the mild diet for treating stomach ulcer patients. If someone feels uncomfortable or experiences stomach pain two hours after drinking milk, it is not recommended to consume milk.
As for some people who experience bloating after drinking milk, it is because the mucosal cells in the small intestine do not have enough enzymes to break down the lactose in milk, allowing the lactose to be fermented by intestinal flora, thus producing a large amount of gas, which is one of the lactose intolerance reactions to milk.
In such cases, one can choose low-lactose milk or other dairy products like yogurt or cheese, as the lactose has been broken down during the production process, making it less likely to cause bloating or abdominal pain, said Chen Junrong.Drinking more milk makes you healthy and beautiful - Nutrition Department, Li Xin Hospital
Are you a fan of milk or dairy products? While you enjoy your milk, do you know what nutrients it contains?
The main components of milk include water and milk solids (containing milk fat, lactose, and protein):
1. Milk fat: Accounts for 3-6% of the main components in milk. Milk fat is a complex mixture of triglycerides, including other lipids such as lecithin, cephalin, and sterols. Milk fat is easily digested and absorbed by the body.
2. Lactose: The main sugar in milk is lactose, which is composed of galactose and glucose. Its sweetness is 1/5 that of sucrose. It combines with salts in milk to form the unique flavor of milk.
3. Protein: The main proteins in milk are casein (78.5%) and whey protein (16%). The protein in milk is complete protein, which can maintain body needs and promote normal growth and development.
4. Minerals: Milk is rich in various minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium, chlorine, and sulfur, with calcium and phosphorus being the most abundant. Every 100 grams contains 100 milligrams of calcium.
5. Vitamins: Milk is rich in carotene, vitamin B1, B2, and niacin. Additionally, vitamin D is added during processing.
After introducing the main nutrients in milk, you can roughly understand the benefits of drinking milk. According to national nutrition surveys, the current population is relatively deficient in calcium and vitamin B2. Milk contains these two rich nutrients, which can supplement individual nutritional deficiencies. At the same time, the nutritious calcium can also prevent osteoporosis.
The nutritional value of milk is indeed high - Nutrition Department, Li Xin Hospital
In the hot summer, drinking a cool glass of milk not only quenches thirst but also supplements nutrition, especially calcium intake, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone. However, recent medical research has found that the protein in milk, combined with the protein content in fish, meat, eggs, and grains, accelerates the loss of calcium from the body, without absolute bone health guarantees.
Nutritionist Xie Yifang points out that compared to general foods, the nutritional value of milk is indeed high. It contains the six major nutrients required by the human body. Except for iron and vitamin C, which are less abundant, other nutrients are not lacking. Especially the rich and high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamin B2 can provide the amino acids needed by the human body for tissue repair and growth, making it a perfect nutritional food for developing adolescents, pregnant women, postoperative patients, or those with poor liver and kidney function. For vegetarians who are prone to vitamin B12 and B2 deficiencies, the balanced vitamins in milk can better meet their needs.
Since milk is the best source of protein and calcium, a glass of milk every day can certainly keep bones healthy. However, American epidemiologists spent twelve years tracking nearly 80,000 middle-aged women, investigating their milk-drinking habits, and found that women who drank more than two glasses of milk a day had a much higher fracture rate than those who drank less than one glass of milk a week. Moreover, American medical journals have reported that the more dairy products consumed worldwide, the more fractures due to osteoporosis, such as in the UK, USA, Sweden, and Finland.
In fact, dietary protein increases calcium excretion in urine, seriously affecting the body's balance, and can be a risk factor for calcium absorption. Xie Yifang stated that the protein in food releases acid into the blood after metabolism, especially the sulfur-containing amino acids in protein. At this time, the body secretes calcium from the bones to neutralize the acid. Additionally, protein increases the filtration and excretion of calcium by the kidneys, leading to accelerated calcium excretion in urine.However, this is not related to the quality of milk, but rather due to modern people consuming excessive amounts of protein from rich diets. Therefore, if one wishes to obtain calcium and nutrients from milk, one or two cups of milk a day already provide 16 grams of protein and 600 milligrams of calcium, which accounts for about a quarter of the daily protein requirement. The intake of other protein sources, such as grains, tubers, eggs, beans, fish, and meat, should be controlled accordingly.
Additionally, milk has a high content of saturated fat. Combined with the saturated fat that may be consumed from meat or other foods in daily diets, this can lead to an excessive accumulation of saturated fat in the body. Besides the risk of obesity, it also increases cholesterol levels in the body, posing risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
Therefore, Xie Yifang encourages young children to drink whole milk, while elementary school children should learn to drink low-fat milk. Adults have an urgent need to drink low-fat or skim milk. It is recommended that adults drink at least one 240-milliliter cup of milk per day, school-aged children drink two cups per day, and teenagers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should drink at least two cups per day.
Source: http:/ / hk. knowledge. yahoo. co……/ ? qid=7006100400547& others=1
Milk: to Drink or Not to Drink?
Every time she hears someone say this, petite Mrs. Zhang starts to worry whether her son, who has an allergic constitution, might end up shorter because he drinks less milk.
Milk, with its complete and rich nutritional content, has long been regarded as the most cost-effective nutritional supplement.
The essential amino acids, calcium, and B vitamins in milk can provide the nutrients needed for human growth, development, and cell repair.
For the general population, who are often deficient in calcium and lead busy lives, drinking a glass of milk a day can meet 25% of the daily requirements for calcium and vitamin D, making it a convenient way to obtain nutrients.
However, is drinking more milk really healthier? The answer might not be so straightforward, as more and more experts believe that drinking milk should be done in moderation.
The ongoing debate over milk
In recent years, several studies have presented counter-evidence suggesting that excessive milk consumption can be harmful to health.
Particularly, a study published in the November 2004 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that excessive intake of dairy products could increase the risk of ovarian cancer in women.
This study also sparked a debate in the United States about whether one should drink milk or not.
*Debate 1: Drinking more milk can cause cancer
Professional view: There are many causes of cancer, and the mechanism by which milk might cause cancer is still unclear. A balanced intake of various foods is the best approach.
This Swedish study followed 60,000 women aged 38 to 76 for 13 years and found that women who drank more than four cups of dairy products daily had twice the risk of developing serous ovarian cancer compared to those who drank two cups a day.
Those who drank more than two cups a day had twice the risk of ovarian cancer compared to women who drank little or no dairy products.
Researchers speculate that lactose in milk might stimulate hormone production, leading to tumor growth.
This is not the first study to link milk with cancer.
Several studies have found that high intake of dairy products may increase the risk of ovarian and prostate cancer.
◎A 2001 Harvard University 11-year follow-up report found that consuming more than 2.5 servings of dairy products daily (one serving = 240cc of milk) increased the risk of prostate cancer by 34% compared to those who consumed less than or equal to 0.5 servings daily.
◎A Harvard University study of 80,000 nurses found that those who frequently drank milk had a 44% higher risk of ovarian cancer than those who did not; another similar report indicated that consuming one cup of low-fat milk daily increased the risk of ovarian cancer by 20%.
However, overall, the reason why dairy products might cause cancer remains unclear. Those who advocate continuing to drink milk argue that cancer has many causes and is not solely due to drinking milk.
Moreover, calcium supplementation is immediately necessary for postmenopausal women who experience significant bone loss. For example, the American Cancer Society advises that women should not avoid milk due to fear of cancer, and the recommended daily amount of milk (1-2 cups) is appropriate.
However, some experts believe that it is best to avoid drinking large amounts of milk until the situation is clearer.
Dr. Kate Law, who is leading a large-scale study on food and cancer involving 500,000 people in the UK, suggests that the best dietary approach is a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Professor Chen Junrong from the Department of Health and Nutrition at Taipei Medical University, who specializes in protein research, believes that excessive or insufficient intake of any food carries certain risks. As long as milk is not consumed excessively as a thirst-quenching beverage, it is generally safe."The current issue is drinking too much," reminded Zhao Qiang, a nutritionist at Taipei Mackay Memorial Hospital, noting that the calorie content of milk should not be underestimated. A serving of whole milk with 8 grams of fat contains 72 calories. Drinking one cup a day makes little difference, but consuming more than two cups daily can accumulate a significant amount of calories over time.
As for the osteoporosis problem that troubles many women, experts emphasize that milk is not a panacea. Without paying attention to exercise, it is still impossible to retain bone mass.
*Debate 2: Can drinking more milk solve osteoporosis?
Professional view: Only through exercise and dietary supplementation can bone mass be retained.
A 18-year Harvard Nurses' Health Study in 2003 found that drinking more milk does not reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractures.
"There is no close connection between milk and osteoporosis," affirmed Chen Junrong.
Milk can indeed supplement calcium, but consuming too much animal protein, such as milk and meat, can accelerate the loss of bone calcium.
Walter C. Willett, head of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard University, pointed out that sulfur-containing animal proteins entering the body can cause the blood to become acidic, forcing the body to extract calcium from the bone bank to balance the acidic blood.
Therefore, the more animal protein consumed, the greater the chance of calcium being excreted from the body.
Willett even criticized in the journal "Scientific American" that the U.S. government, on one hand, over-promotes dairy products, and on the other hand, overemphasizes the importance of dairy products for bone health.
He analyzed that modern people already consume too much protein and should moderate their intake of dairy products.
"We cannot assume that consuming so much dairy is safe," Willett suggested, stating that if adults follow a good diet, one serving of dairy per day is sufficient.
Moreover, to retain bone mass, merely consuming calcium supplements is not enough; moderate exercise is also necessary to retain calcium.
"Only supplementing calcium without exercise will not be effective," Zhao Qiang pointed out, noting that bones become stronger with more movement. Research has found that exercises that utilize body weight, such as running or jumping, can make our bones stronger.
Additionally, some claims about milk curing diseases have even been debunked many years ago.
*Controversy 3: Can drinking more milk protect the stomach lining?
Professional view: Milk may worsen stomach ulcers in some people.
More than a decade ago, milk was considered a good dietary remedy for protecting the stomach lining because the protein and lactose in milk can form a film to protect the stomach wall.
However, some people experience more stomach pain after drinking milk. It was later discovered that the casein in milk is difficult to digest and can coagulate into lumps in the stomach, increasing stomach acid secretion and exacerbating ulcer symptoms.
Nutritionist Zhao Qiang mentioned that several years ago, the medical community removed milk from the mild diet for treating stomach ulcer patients. If someone feels uncomfortable or experiences stomach pain two hours after drinking milk, it is not recommended to consume milk.
As for some people who experience bloating after drinking milk, it is because the mucosal cells in the small intestine do not have enough enzymes to break down the lactose in milk, allowing the lactose to be fermented by intestinal flora, thus producing a large amount of gas, which is one of the lactose intolerance reactions to milk.
In such cases, one can choose low-lactose milk or other dairy products like yogurt or cheese, as the lactose has been broken down during the production process, making it less likely to cause bloating or abdominal pain, said Chen Junrong.Drinking more milk makes you healthy and beautiful - Nutrition Department, Li Xin Hospital
Are you a fan of milk or dairy products? While you enjoy your milk, do you know what nutrients it contains?
The main components of milk include water and milk solids (containing milk fat, lactose, and protein):
1. Milk fat: Accounts for 3-6% of the main components in milk. Milk fat is a complex mixture of triglycerides, including other lipids such as lecithin, cephalin, and sterols. Milk fat is easily digested and absorbed by the body.
2. Lactose: The main sugar in milk is lactose, which is composed of galactose and glucose. Its sweetness is 1/5 that of sucrose. It combines with salts in milk to form the unique flavor of milk.
3. Protein: The main proteins in milk are casein (78.5%) and whey protein (16%). The protein in milk is complete protein, which can maintain body needs and promote normal growth and development.
4. Minerals: Milk is rich in various minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium, chlorine, and sulfur, with calcium and phosphorus being the most abundant. Every 100 grams contains 100 milligrams of calcium.
5. Vitamins: Milk is rich in carotene, vitamin B1, B2, and niacin. Additionally, vitamin D is added during processing.
After introducing the main nutrients in milk, you can roughly understand the benefits of drinking milk. According to national nutrition surveys, the current population is relatively deficient in calcium and vitamin B2. Milk contains these two rich nutrients, which can supplement individual nutritional deficiencies. At the same time, the nutritious calcium can also prevent osteoporosis.
The nutritional value of milk is indeed high - Nutrition Department, Li Xin Hospital
In the hot summer, drinking a cool glass of milk not only quenches thirst but also supplements nutrition, especially calcium intake, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone. However, recent medical research has found that the protein in milk, combined with the protein content in fish, meat, eggs, and grains, accelerates the loss of calcium from the body, without absolute bone health guarantees.
Nutritionist Xie Yifang points out that compared to general foods, the nutritional value of milk is indeed high. It contains the six major nutrients required by the human body. Except for iron and vitamin C, which are less abundant, other nutrients are not lacking. Especially the rich and high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamin B2 can provide the amino acids needed by the human body for tissue repair and growth, making it a perfect nutritional food for developing adolescents, pregnant women, postoperative patients, or those with poor liver and kidney function. For vegetarians who are prone to vitamin B12 and B2 deficiencies, the balanced vitamins in milk can better meet their needs.
Since milk is the best source of protein and calcium, a glass of milk every day can certainly keep bones healthy. However, American epidemiologists spent twelve years tracking nearly 80,000 middle-aged women, investigating their milk-drinking habits, and found that women who drank more than two glasses of milk a day had a much higher fracture rate than those who drank less than one glass of milk a week. Moreover, American medical journals have reported that the more dairy products consumed worldwide, the more fractures due to osteoporosis, such as in the UK, USA, Sweden, and Finland.
In fact, dietary protein increases calcium excretion in urine, seriously affecting the body's balance, and can be a risk factor for calcium absorption. Xie Yifang stated that the protein in food releases acid into the blood after metabolism, especially the sulfur-containing amino acids in protein. At this time, the body secretes calcium from the bones to neutralize the acid. Additionally, protein increases the filtration and excretion of calcium by the kidneys, leading to accelerated calcium excretion in urine.However, this is not related to the quality of milk, but rather due to modern people consuming excessive amounts of protein from rich diets. Therefore, if one wishes to obtain calcium and nutrients from milk, one or two cups of milk a day already provide 16 grams of protein and 600 milligrams of calcium, which accounts for about a quarter of the daily protein requirement. The intake of other protein sources, such as grains, tubers, eggs, beans, fish, and meat, should be controlled accordingly.
Additionally, milk has a high content of saturated fat. Combined with the saturated fat that may be consumed from meat or other foods in daily diets, this can lead to an excessive accumulation of saturated fat in the body. Besides the risk of obesity, it also increases cholesterol levels in the body, posing risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
Therefore, Xie Yifang encourages young children to drink whole milk, while elementary school children should learn to drink low-fat milk. Adults have an urgent need to drink low-fat or skim milk. It is recommended that adults drink at least one 240-milliliter cup of milk per day, school-aged children drink two cups per day, and teenagers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should drink at least two cups per day.
Source: http:/ / hk. knowledge. yahoo. co……/ ? qid=7006100400547& others=1