This is important, since milk and milk products are the richest source of calcium in the diet, and also provide protein and other vitamins and nutrients. In addition, research shows that including dairy products in your diet may help control blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Because of dairy's unique package of nutrients and important health benefits, the government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that people who are sensitive to lactose choose alternatives from within the milk group first, such as lactose-free milk, aged cheeses or yogurt with active cultures. Research shows that most people who have difficulties digesting lactose can enjoy up to two cups of milk a day, particularly if they drink it with meals. In fact, one study found they could consume up to 4 dairy servings a day without any problems.(1)
For minority groups, eliminating milk and dairy products from their diet can short-change their health. According to the 2004 National Medical Association (NMA) Consensus Report, African Americans should consume 3-4 servings of dairy foods each day as part of a healthy diet to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, stroke, obesity and colon cancer, for which they are disproportionately at risk. NMA is the largest and oldest national organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the United States.
Unfortunately, the legal action announced today by PCRM is yet another attempt by this animal-rights group to grab headlines at the expense of sound health and nutrition information. PCRM is an anti-meat, anti-dairy group whose campaigns and views are closely aligned with the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PCRM's leader, psychiatrist Neal Barnard, has been identified as a medical adviser to PETA, and PCRM in the past has received funding from PETA.
The bottom line is that when it comes to nutrition, people should listen to health and nutrition professionals, not an animal rights group.
For more information about lactose intolerance, visit the following websites:
* U.S. Dietary Guidelines http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/milk.html
* American Dietetic Association http://www.eatright.org/Public/NutritionInformation/index_18817.cfm
* National Medical Association Consensus Report http://www.nmanet.org/DecSupp.pdf
* National Dairy Council www.nationaldairycouncil.org/NationalDairyCouncil/Nutrition/Lactose/index.htm
For independent information on PCRM, visit the following website: * http://www.physicianscam.com/ * http://www.activistcash.com/organization_quotes.cfm/oid/23
International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is the Washington, DC-based organization representing the nation's dairy processing and manufacturing industries and their suppliers. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), National Cheese Institute (NCI) and International Ice Cream Association (IICA). Its 500+ members range from large multinational corporations to single-plant operations, and represent more than 85% of the total volume of milk, cultured products, cheese, and ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States -- an estimated $90-billion a year industry. IDFA can be found online at http://www.idfa.org/ .
The American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council (ADA/NDC) is managed by Dairy Management Inc., the nonprofit domestic and international planning and management organization responsible for increasing demand for U.S.- produced dairy products on behalf of America's dairy farmers. The NDC can be found online at http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/ .
(1) Perman and Dudley, Lactose maldigestion is not an impediment to the intake of 1500mg calcium daily as dairy products, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1998; 68:1118-22.
