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In the past decade, the prevalence of excess body weight has reached epidemic levels throughout the US population, with the most rapidly increasing prevalence being seen in minority groups. Based on CDC statistics, between 1991 and 2000, the prevalence of obesity, defined as BMI >30, among African Americans rose by nearly 50%, increasing from 19.3% of this population group to 29.3%. Overweight and obesity are associated with 300,000 deaths each year in this country, and are directly linked to CVD, type 2 diabetes, IRS, certain types of cancer, and stroke, as well as a variety of respiratory, skeletal, and psychological disorders.

Observational and clinical studies have suggested that dairy product consumption favorably affects weight loss and/or maintenance. Investigating the antihypertensive effect of calcium by increasing its intake from approximately 400 mg to 1000 mg/day with the addition of yogurt to the diets of obese African Americans, Zemel et al. observed a 4.9 kg reduction in body fat. In a later analysis of the NHANES III database, these investigators found “a profound reduction in the odds of being in the highest quartile of adiposity associated with increases in calcium and dairy product intake.” A prospective study of dairy calcium intake and changes in body weight with a two-year exercise intervention by Lin and colleagues found that participants with high dairy calcium intake (but not non-dairy) gained less weight and body fat over the duration of the study, regardless of exercise level. In a recent assessment of calcium intake in African American women with lactose maldigestion or intolerance, those who consumed higher amounts of dairy calcium weighed less and had lower BMI compared to the low calcium group. Viagra Online Canadian Pharmacy

In an analysis of data accumulated from five calcium intake studies of various designs, Davies et al. observed consistently negative associations between calcium and body weight; they estimated that a 1000-mg difference in calcium intake is associated with an 8-kg difference in mean body weight. The СARDIA trial provides strong direct evidence of the benefit of increased dairy food intake on obesity incidence over a 10-year period, documenting a 30% reduction in the emergence of obesity in young adults who were overweight at initiation of the study. Collectively, these findings document the beneficial impact of increasing dairy food intake on the emergence of obesity.

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Dairy products are clearly a critical component of a health-promoting diet, serving as the predominant food source of naturally occurring calcium and the mineral combination (calcium, potassium, magnesium) known to beneficially influence multiple CVD risk factors. Achieving increased dairy food intake can be hindered by the common perception that many African Americans are unable to readily digest the lactose these products contain. Lactose maldigestion or intolerance is more prevalent among selected ethnic populations; some experts have estimated that it affects up to 75% of African Americans. Extensive investigative efforts have been undertaken to characterize true extent and the multiple causes of lactose maldigestion and to identify means to overcome its symptoms. These studies have consistently shown that the effects of these conditions can be minimized, and in some cases eliminated, when a variety of dairy products are used and when they are consumed as part of complete meals. erectalis

This is borne out by the evidence from the DASH study wherein three daily servings of dairy products, sufficient to provide recommended intake levels, were included in the combination DASH diet. The dairy products used in this study were varied in type (milk, yogurt, cheese) and consumed as components of full meals. As noted above, the majority of DASH participants were African American, and with the higher incidence of lactose maldigestion in this population, an increase in the symptoms of the condition would be expected in participants who were assigned to the dairy-rich DASH diet. Just the reverse was observed. The only adverse effect frequently reported in this study was constipation, which was reported least often with the DASH diet compared to the other two test diets. As noted by the DASH investigators, occurrence of any other gastrointestinal symptoms was infrequent and similar among all three diets.

CONCLUSION

Recently available data confirm several decades of investigative efforts targeted at characterizing the association between cardiovascular health and nutrient intake. It is clear that a balanced diet that provides the full complement of dietary nutrients at currently recommended intake levels is essential for optimal health. We now know that in addition to their established roles in bone health and hypertension, dairy foods as part of a high quality diet afford protective benefits against a rapidly growing list of conditions, including the CVD risk factors discussed here, some forms of cancer, kidney stones, premenstrual syndrome, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Clearly, the primary dietary goal of all members of our society should be the regular consumption of a nutritionally complete diet. Dairy products are an essential component of such a diet and have been shown to be well tolerated and clinically beneficial in African Americans.
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