Researchers from Harvard affiliated
Hebrew Senior Life's Institute for Aging Research and University of
Massachusetts Lowell have discovered that specific dairy foods such as milk,
yogurt, and cheese are associated with higher bone mineral density in the spine
and are protective against bone loss in the hip -- but only among older adults
who take Vitamin D supplements.
The study, titled "Dairy intake
is protective against bone loss in older vitamin D supplement users: the
Framingham Study" was published today in The Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers have found that vitamin D
stimulates calcium absorption, which is beneficial for building bones and
preventing bone loss overtime. These findings could lead to better care for the
estimated 10 million Americans over 50 years of age diagnosed with osteoporosis
-- a disease characterized by low bone mass and progressive deterioration of
bone tissue. For those affected, osteoporosis can lead to increased risk of
fracture, loss of physical function, decreased quality of life, and even death.
According to Lead Author Shivani
Sahni, Ph.D. of Hebrew SeniorLife, "This study is significant because in
addition to milk intake, it also examined the association of other dairy foods
such as yogurt, cheese and cream with bone mineral density and bone loss over
time. Furthermore, this study clarified that the association of dairy foods
with bone density is dependent on adequate vitamin D intake. However,
additional studies are needed to confirm these findings using serum vitamin D
concentrations."
Study participants hailed from the Framingham Osteoporosis
Study, an off-shoot of the Framingham Heart Study.
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