The Milk Myth: What You Really Need is Calcium

A recent study claims that young adults are not drinking enough milk -- at least according to press reports on the matter. But according to the study’s lead author Nicole Larson, the focus on the study was on calcium not milk.
The words "milk" and "calcium" are often used interchangeably in the popular press. But while milk is a calcium source, no standard other than that of the National Dairy Council considers it the best calcium source.
The suggestion that you need to drink three glasses of the secretion of a cow's mammary glands in order to be healthy is a bit outrageous and doesn't fit the human evolutionary profile. In fact, most humans around the world cannot easily digest cow milk.
Yogurt has more calcium than milk and is easier to digest. Collards and other greens also have about as much or more calcium than milk by the cup. Greens, unlike milk, have the added benefit of vitamin K, also necessary for strong bones.
When you measure calcium by cup of food product, milk is high on the list. When you view it by calories, milk is at the bottom. A hundred calories of turnip greens have over three times as much calcium as 100 calories of whole milk.
Sources:
Live Science June 24, 2009
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior July/August 2009; 41(4):254-60
http://www.mercola.com/

Comments:
The thought that you have to drink milk for strong bones is ingrained in our societyas a result of successful PR by the dairy industry. But what most people do not realize is that pasteurized milk has little to do with strong bones, or good health, for that matter.
In fact, pasteurized milk has no important health benefits at all, and is mucous forming.
As stated in the article above, calcium is the issue being investigated, not necessarily the consumption of milk.
Regardless of the milk issue, eating vegetables is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting sufficient amounts of calcium, and is part of a healthy lifestyle.


If you have any questions or comments, contact Dr. Dan Thibodeau at DrDan1221@yahoo.com or at 920-954-1002.