Food Myths MILK WILL KILL YOU SOON! Science and research are always changing and contradicting. First egg was bad, then good. Butter was bad, then good. Coconut oil was bad, then good. A common consensus is never reached easily by scientist. Scientific options will always keep changing based on available literature. However, sometimes, the media will make use of a single study and educate the public wrongfully. On October 2014, a group of Sweden scientist reported in a study that: A higher consumption of milk in women and men is not accompanied by a lower risk of fracture and instead may be associated with a higher rate of death. This study caused a great uproar among the general public as milk is seen as something that will kill you earlier! However, the public need to understand that this kind of study is not new and we must not be quick to jump into conclusion. - IN DEFENSE OF MILK PARKINSONS - French scientist on September 2014, the scientist reported that: There are studies reporting an association between milk intake and a higher incidence of Parkinsons disease. Based on current knowledge, limiting the consumption of dairy products does not seem to be a reasonable strategy in the prevention of the development and progression of Parkinsons disease GASTRIC CANCER - Chinese scientist from Peking Union Medical College published a meta-analysis on July 2014 stating that: no clear association apparently exists between consumption of dairy products and gastric cancer risk COLORECTAL CANCER - Harvard scientist from Harvard Medical School published a pooled analysis on July 2004 stating that: Higher consumption of milk and calcium is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. COLORECTAL CANCER - Australian scientist from Monash published meta-analysis on February 2014 stating that: there is an inverse association between non- fermented milk consumption and risk of colon cancer in men. BREAST CANCER - Harvard scientist from Harvard Medical School published a pooled analysis on February 2002 stating that: We found no significant associations between intake of meat or dairy products and risk of breast cancer. BLADDER CANCER - American scientist from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center published meta-analysis on October 2011 stating that: Meta-analyses of cohort data available to date support an inverse association between milk intake and risk of colorectal and bladder cancer. DIABETES - Norwegian and British scientist from Norwegian University and Imperial College London published a meta- analysis on October 2013 stating that: This meta-analysis suggests that there is a significant inverse association between intakes of dairy products, low-fat dairy products, and cheese and risk of type 2 diabetes. DIABETES - Brazilian scientist from Federal University of Viçosa published a review on October 2013 stating that: the consumption of low-fat dairy products may be an important strategy to prevent and control T2 diabetes. DIABETES - American scientist from USDA-ARS, University of Minnesota and University of California published a review on May 2014 stating that: Results from epidemiological studies generally support that consumption of milk and dairy products is associated with a lower incidence of T2D or improvements in glucose homeostasis indices. HEART DISEASE - Scientist from Wageningen University, Harvard School and University of California published a review on January 2011 stating that: “This dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies indicates that milk intake is not associated with total mortality but may be inversely associated with overall CVD risk.” BONE - Swiss Scientist from Geneva University Hospitals published on May 2014 that: By consuming 3 servings of dairy products per day, the recommended daily intakes of nutrients essential for good bone health may be readily achieved. Dairy products could therefore improve bone health and reduce the risk of fractures in later life. - AGAINST MILK OVARIAN CANCER - Sweden scientist from Karolinska Institutet published a meta- analysis on January 2006 stating that: prospective cohort studies, but not case-control studies, support the hypothesis that high intakes of dairy foods and lactose may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. PROSTATE CANCER - American scientist from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center published meta-analysis on October 2011 stating that: Meta-analyses of cohort data available to date support that there is a positive association between diets high in calcium and risk of prostate cancer. PROSTATE CANCER - American scientist from Harvard, Northwestern University, Brigham & Womens Hospital and MAVERIC published a study on October 2001 stating that: These results support the hypothesis that dairy products and calcium are associated with a greater risk of prostate cancer. OVARIAN CANCER - Harvard scientist from Harvard School of Public Health published a pooled analysis on February 2006 stating that: Overall, no associations were observed for intakes of specific dairy foods or calcium and ovarian cancer risk. A modest elevation in the risk of ovarian cancer was seen for lactose intake at the level that was equivalent to three or more servings of milk per day. RECOMMENDATION - Acclaimed Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Professor Walter Willett said: “the recommendation for three servings of milk per day is not justified and is likely to cause harm to some people. The primary justification is bone health and reduction of fractures. However, prospective studies and randomized trials have consistently shown no relation between milk intake and risk of fractures. On the other hand, many studies have shown a relation between high milk intake and risk of fatal or metastatic prostate cancer, and this can be explained by the fact that milk intake increases blood levels of IGF-1, a growth- promotin g hormone. The justification for drinking three glasses of milk per day on the basis of increasing potassium intake is also not valid as the extra calories, even with low-fat milk, would easily counterbalance the benefit of the extra potassium. Also, the recommendation for people of all ages to drink three servings of milk per day is very radical and would double dairy production if adopted; this would have huge environmental impacts that would need to be considered.” BONE - Harvard scientist from Harvard School of Public Health published a study on February 2003 stating that: “An adequate vitamin D intake is associated with a lower risk of osteoporotic hip fractures in postmenopausal women. Neither milk nor a high- calcium diet appears to reduce risk.” - CONCLUSION: Science will keep changing. There are evidences showing that dairy products does not cause parkinson, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and bladder cancer as speculated. In addition, there are also evidences showing that dairy products are important in the prevention of diabetes and supporting bone health. However, there are also evidences showing that dairy products may increase the risk of ovarian and prostate cancers. In addition, research also contradict other studies and suggest that dairy may not aid in bone health as much. It is important to remember that several concrete scientific studies are required before governmental organisations and WHO make changes to it dairy recommendation. As of today, most government organisations have no changed their stand on milk products. They still recommend to consume low fat dairy products as part of our daily diet. Governmental organisations may take immediate actions if there is overwhelming evidence showing danger of diary products. 4
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:33:20 +0000