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ObjectiveFoods can contain natural phosphorus (NP) and phosphate-containing food additives (AP). The main objective of the present study was to investigate whether NP and AP of habitual diets differ in their effects on markers of Ca metabolism. We also investigated the impact of total habitual dietary P intake on markers of Ca metabolism.DesignCross-sectional study. Fasting blood samples were collected and participants kept a 4 d food record, from which dietary intake of total P and the consumption of NP (milk and cheese, excluding processed cheese) and AP (processed cheese) sources were calculated. Participants were divided into groups according to their NP- and AP-containing food consumption and into quartiles according to their total P intake.SettingSouthern Finland.SubjectsOne hundred and forty-seven healthy premenopausal women aged 31–43 years.ResultsRelative to the lowest total dietary P quartile, mean serum parathyroid hormone (S-PTH) concentration was higher (P = 0·048, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)) and the mean serum ionized Ca concentration lower (P = 0·016, ANCOVA) in the highest P intake quartile. Mean S-PTH concentrations were higher among participants who consumed processed cheese (P = 0·027, ANCOVA) and less milk and other cheese than processed cheese (P = 0·030, ANCOVA).ConclusionsHigh total habitual dietary P intake affected S-PTH unfavourably. Furthermore, phosphate additives may have more harmful effects on bone than other P sources, as indicated by higher mean S-PTH concentration among participants who consumed AP-containing foods. Because of the high dietary P intake and current upward trend in consumption of processed foods in Western countries, these findings may have important public health implications.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the current status of dietary intakes in early pubertal girls with a special focus on milk products.DesignCross-sectional data using 3-day food records.SubjectsEight hundred and sixty girls, aged 10–12 years, at Tanner maturation stage I-III.ResultsThe mean consumption of milk products (620 g day−1) was similar to that of a Finnish study in the 1980s, while the consumption of non-milk drinks (403 gday−1) had increased. Twelve per cent of the girls had a dairy-restricted diet and consumed significantly less milk products than girls with a non-restricted diet (465 vs. 644 g day−1, PP−1. No major changes were found in the sources of nutrients. The shares of energy for nutrients were close to recommendations except for saturated fat (13.9 vs. 10% of energy) and carbohydrates (51.5 vs. 55–60% of energy). The mean calcium intake (1117 mg day−1) was above the recommendation, while the vitamin D intake (3.1 μg day−1) of 88% of the girls was below the recommendation.ConclusionsThe diet quality of early pubertal girls is close to the recommendations and has improved with respect to fat compared with the 1980s. Consumption of milk products is high although the consumption of non-milk drinks has increased. We found a subgroup of girls who compensate their low milk product consumption with a higher consumption of non-milk drinks. Following a dairy-restricted diet is the main reason for low consumption of milk products.

ObjectivesTo assess the vitamin D status of Irish postmenopausal women during wintertime, and to examine its relationship with serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and biochemical markers of bone turnover. In addition, the determinants of wintertime serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH–D) levels in these women were investigated.DesignA cross-sectional observational study.SettingCork City, Ireland (52°N).SubjectsNinety-five apparently healthy, free-living postmenopausal women (aged 51–75 years), not taking any medication and free from any condition likely to affect vitamin D status or calcium/bone metabolism.ResultsForty-eight per cent and 7% of women had serum 25OH–D levels −1and −1, respectively. 25OH–D levels in these women were positively associated with dietary calcium intake (P= 0.0002) and use of vitamin D-containing supplements (P= 0.031), and negatively associated with cigarette smoking (P= 0.027) and body mass index (BMI) (P= 0.030). Low serum 25OH-D levels (−1) were associated (P−1.ConclusionsA high proportion of Irish postmenopausal women had low vitamin D status (< 50 nmol l−1) during late wintertime, which appeared to lead to elevated levels of serum PTH but not of bone turnover markers. Use of regular low-dose supplemental vitamin D, meeting daily calcium recommendations, cessation of smoking and maintaining BMI in the normal range are important factors that could help maintain adequate vitamin D levels during wintertime in these women.