Milk could shorten life

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Munich"Milk strengthens the bones" - was the motto for a long time. Because milk and milk products are important suppliers of the bone building material calcium. The reality could look different: If you drink several glasses of milk a day, you may even increase your risk of fractures. Worse still, he may die sooner.

Whether man or woman - who drank a lot of milk, statistically speaking, died earlier in a Swedish study. In men, however, the effect was smaller than in women.

The milk lovers also did not have fewer broken bones, as one might generally assume with high milk consumption. On the contrary: women who drank three or more glasses of milk a day (average 680 ml) had more broken bones than women who consumed less than one glass (average 60 ml) daily. The researchers did not find this connection in the male study participants.

Acquittal for cheese & Co.

For dairy products such as yoghurt or cheese, however, the researchers led by Prof. Karl Michaëlsson from Uppsala University were able to give the all-clear - their consumption is not associated with premature death or more bone fractures. The possible reason: Dairy products contain less galactose - also known as slimy sugar.

Previous animal experiments had shown that the sugar can trigger stress and inflammatory reactions in cells. “We also found a connection between milk consumption and biological markers for oxidative stress and inflammation,” write Michaëlsson and his team. However, whether this is an explanation for broken bones and an increased risk of death in humans remains unclear. It is also conceivable that a previously unknown common factor is behind the phenomenon.

Risky milk consumption

The researchers had evaluated the data from more than 60,000 women and more than 45,000 men aged 39 to 79 years. The participants were asked about their eating and drinking habits, among other things. In addition, her bone health has been documented over the years.

In an observation period of around 20 years, more than 17,000 of the women suffered a bone fracture, and more than 15,500 of them died. The men were observed for an average of eleven years. Of them, over 5000 had a fracture and more than 10,000 died.

Tips for healthy bones

The results raise doubts as to whether a lot of milk should continue to be recommended for bone fracture prevention.

However, the other lifestyle rules for bone health still apply. The German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery has drawn up a 3-point plan for this.

First, a healthy, calcium-rich diet. There is plenty of calcium not only in dairy products, but also in calcium-rich mineral water, various vegetables such as broccoli, fennel and kale, herbs such as chives and parsley, and in some nuts such as para and hazelnuts. Phosphorus-rich foods such as cola, chocolate or roasted peanuts, on the other hand, are harmful to the bones.

Second: daylight and vitamin D. With the help of the sun's rays, the body produces vitamin D, which in turn helps the body to absorb and use calcium. In the darker months of the year in particular, you should make sure to go out into the fresh air regularly.

Third: exercise and fitness. Sport stimulates the bone metabolism. This means that more calcium is transported and stored. Exercise also strengthens the muscles and can relieve endangered bones. Strength training, gymnastics, swimming, walking, hiking - all kinds of exercise are healthy for the bones. (vv)

Sources:

Michaëlsson K, Wolk Alicja, Langenskiöld S, et al. Milk intake and risk of mortality and fractures in women and men: cohort studies. BMJ. 2014.

How anyone can strengthen their bones with a 3-point plan and counteract bone loss, press release from the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery. V. Brittle bones due to osteoporosis, October 29, 2014

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