Calcium concerns: unexpected revelations about milk!

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Posted on : 2005-03-07| Author : James Simpson

Consumption of milk does in no way ensure strong and healthy bones, for both us as well as children. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, USA, has made this startling revelation for all those of us who may have been relying on milk for all our calcium needs.

Out of 37 studies conducted, only about 10 were found to be supporting milk intake for children aged above 7 years. In fact, some believe that once a child is on solid foods i.e. after a child has weaned, milk is a strict no-no. Interestingly, man is the only exception to all other animals on earth to consume milk after weaning.

Also, the total fat intake from dairy products in the diets of American children who are increasingly turning obese is a good 25 percent whereas the total energy provided by these products was found to be only 18 percent. Alternatively, low fat dairy products can be used to avail valuable nutrients like vitamin D other than calcium, which is just as for strong bones.

Supporting a vegan diet, the PCRM offers other alternatives to milk that are rich in calcium as well. For instance, a cup of orange juice is recommended as it contains an equal quantity of calcium as in a glass of milk. Oats, Kale, Turnip greens, tofu and broccoli are also part of the rich calcium family.

Hence, healthy ways for children to achieve tougher bones is a lot of exercise, which means more of outdoor games, and of course, consumption of up to 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day.

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