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Background: Whether a causal relationship exists between milk intake and reduced risk of fractures is unclear.Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that genetically determined milk intake reduces the risk of fractures and increases bone mineral density (BMD).Methods: We investigated the association between milk intake, LCT-13910 C/T (rs4988235), which is associated with lactase persistence (TT/TC) in Northern Europeans, and hip fractures in three Danish prospective studies (N = 97 811, age ≥20 years). We added meta-analyses of LCT-13910 and fractures and BMD from five published Northern European population studies.Results: In the Danish studies, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture per one glass per week higher milk intake was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99-1.01). The per T-allele milk intake was 0.58 (0.49-0.68) glasses per week, but HR was 1.01 (0.94-1.09) for hip fracture. In meta-analyses of Danish studies with published Northern European population studies, the random effects odds ratio for any fracture was 0.86 (0.61-1.21; I2 = 73%) for TT vs. CC and 0.90 (0.68-1.21; I2 = 63%) for TC vs. CC. The standardized mean difference in femoral neck BMD was 0.10 (0.02-0.18; I2 = 0%) g cm-2 for TT vs. CC and 0.06 (-0.04 to 0.17; I2 = 17%) g cm-2 for TC vs. CC. There were no differences in lumbar spine or total hip BMD comparing TT or TC with CC.Conclusion: Genetically lifelong lactase persistence with high milk intake was not associated with hip fracture in Danish population-based cohorts. A meta-analysis combining Danish studies with published Northern European population studies also showed that lactase persistence was not associated with fracture risk. Genetic lactase persistence was associated with a higher femoral neck BMD, but not lumbar spine or total hip BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most common micronutrient deficiencies in Ecuadorian schoolchildren are vitamin A (VA), zinc, and iron. The objective of the present study was to test the efficacy of cow's milk as a vehicle for VA, zinc, and iron supplementation.Methods: Three hundred twenty-eight children aged 6-10 years were included in a randomized, double blind controlled study; 173 children received 480 mL of whole milk (300 Kcals; G1) daily and 155 children received fortified milk (300 Kcals; G2) daily for 23 weeks. Participants had a nutritional evaluation before and after supplementation. Both treatment groups were comparable for gender, age, weight and height at the beginning of the study.Results: Both types of milk were well accepted by the participating children. Data showed that serum concentrations of VA, zinc, and iron significantly increased within both treatment groups. The increase in serum concentrations of the indicated micronutrients was significantly greater in children with deficiencies than in non-deficient ones. There were not significant differences in serum concentrations of VA, zinc, and iron between groups after supplementation. Data also showed that there was an increase in the percentage of children with normal BMI at the expense of a decrease of the percentage of children with excess weight at the end of the treatment period in G1 whereas in G2 it remained unchanged. Blood lipid profiles were normal before and after milk supplementation in both treatment groups.Conclusions: These data indicated that fortified and non-fortified milk are excellent options to increase serum VA, zinc, and iron concentration in schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study analysed the effect of frequency of intake and amount of fluoride in milk on the remineralisation of artificial enamel and dentine caries lesions ex vivo/in situ. Materials and methods: Pre-demineralised bovine enamel and dentine slabs were randomly allocated into 5 groups and fixed in removable appliances used by subjects for 7 days in each phase. Each treatment comprised milk containing 2.5 ppm fluoride daily (T1), or every other day (T2), 5.0 ppm F daily (T3), or every other day (T4) or no treatment (T5). Results: Enamel alterations were quantified by surface hardness recovery (%SHR) and transversal microradiography (TMR), and in dentine by TMR only. Data were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). For enamel, the highest %SHR was found for T1 and T3 compared to control, without significant differences between them. All groups showed positive values of ΔΔZ - T1 (247.3 ± 198.5); T2 (110.9 ± 303.2); T3 (226.0 ± 299.2); T5 (5.0 ± 288.0), except T4 (-274.5 ± 407.3). For dentine, the only group that presented remineralisation was T2 (350.0 ± 657.5). Conclusions: Fluoridated milk daily seems to have higher remineralising effect on enamel than its use every other day. Dentine, does not seem to benefit from daily use of fluoridated milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Folic acid (400 μg/d) taken during the periconceptional period reduces neural tube defect (NTD) risk by >75%. Achieving red cell folate (RCF) or plasma folate (PF) >905 nmol/L and >35 nmol/L, respectively, has been associated with a low risk of NTDs. We determined whether daily consumption of folic acid fortified milk increases blood folate concentrations to levels associated with a low risk of NTDs in Singaporean women of childbearing age.Methods and Study Design: In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 70 non-pregnant women (21-35 y) were randomly assigned to receive fortified milk (FM) powder providing 400 μg folic acid per day or unfortified placebo milk (PM) powder for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks.Results: At 12 weeks, mean (95% CI) RCF and PF concentrations were 376 (240, 512) and 39 (26, 51) nmol/L higher in the FM group compared with the PM group (p<0.001). Of the women receiving FM, 71% (n=25) and 86% (n=30) achieved a RCF and PF associated with a very low risk of NTDs, respectively.Conclusion: Folic acid fortified milk increased blood folate concentrations in women of childbearing age to levels associated with a reduced risk of an NTD-affected pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Prenatal vitamin-D deficiency may be associated with increased risk of obesity later in life. Using two national vitamin-D fortification programs as the setting for a societal experiment, we investigated whether exposure to vitamin-D from fortified margarine and low-fat milk during foetal life was associated with body size at 7 years of age.Subjects/methods: Vitamin-D fortification of margarine was mandatory in Denmark from 1961 to 1985, and voluntary fortification of low-fat milk was permitted from 1972 to 1976. Using information on body mass index (BMI) Z-score at the age of 7 years of 54,270 children, who were measured during the mandatory Copenhagen School Health examination, we compared children according to whether the mothers were pregnant during the fortification programs or not. The comparisons were performed for children born just before and after initiation or termination of margarine and milk fortification periods, respectively. In total four sets of analyses were performed.Results: We observed no difference in mean BMI Z-score between children exposed to vitamin-D fortification in utero and non-exposed children. Similar results were observed for overweight and obesity.Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to vitamin-D from fortification of margarine and low-fat milk showed no association with body size at 7 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatidylserine (PS) has received interest for its ability to improve cognitive abilities and behaviors. A new method for determining PS in milk-based nutritional products has been developed. The method includes a quick and simple sample preparation procedure, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fluorescence detection (FLD) with an on-line 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) derivatization. The method allows PS to be determined in raw materials, milk powder and liquid milk products. The day-to-day ( n = 3 days) average recovery of over spike-in (at 100% PS content level) was 100%, and the method quantification limit is 53 mg per kg milk powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Asymptomatic Indian lacto vegetarians, who make up more than half of the Indian population in different geographic regions, have distinctly low vitamin B-12 concentrations than non-vegetarians. Vegetarians consume milk but it seems that the amount is not enough to improve vitamin B-12 status or vitamin B-12 concentration in milk itself may be low. The aim of this study was to determine if daily milk consumption can improve vitamin B-12 status. Methods Fifteen male and 36 female, young healthy post-graduate volunteers participated. Blood from ten participants (4 males and 6 females) was collected (day-1). They continued their regular diet for next fourteen days and on day-15, blood of all 51 participants was collected, plasma vitamin B-12 concentration was measured and were divided into two groups; Normal (vitamin B-12 >148 pmol/L, n = 22) and Vitamin B-12 deficient (<148 pmol/L, n = 29), the remaining plasma was stored. All participants consumed 600 ml. of non-enriched buffalo milk (200 x 3) during the day along with their usual diet. Next day blood was collected for plasma holotranscobalamin II measurement. Subjects from deficient group continued to drink 400 ml of milk daily for next 14 days and blood was collected on day-30. Plasma holotranscoabalamin II (day-1, 15, 16, 30), vitamin B-12, folate, total homocysteine, creatinine and hematoloical parameters (day-1, 15, 30), and milk vitamin B-12 concentrations (day-15, 16, 30) were measured. Results Fifty seven per cent of the participants were vitamin B-12 deficient and 65% were hyperhomocysteinemic. No significant difference in biomarkers was observed when there was no intervention. Plasma holotranscobalamin II concentration increased from 19.6 to 22.27 pmol/L (p < 0.0001) 24 hrs after milk load in the whole group. Plasma vitamin B-12 increased from 92.5 to 122 pmol/L and tHcy concentrations decreased from 31.9 to 24.9 µ mol/L (p < 0.0001 for both) 14 days after regular milk intake in vitamin B-12 deficient subjects. Conclusions Regular intake of milk improved vitamin B-12 status of vitamin B-12 deficient vegetarians indicating a potential dietary strategy to improve the vitamin status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In Italy, rigorous studies obtained with specific and validated questionnaires that explore the impact of exclusion diets on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with food allergies are lacking. In this cross-sectional study, we wished to validate the Italian version of a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire, and assess the impact of exclusion diets on the HRQoL in a cohort of Italian children with IgE-mediated food allergies. Methods Children on an exclusion diet for ≥1 food were enrolled consecutively, and their parents completed the validated Italian version of the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire– Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF) and Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM). Results Ninety-six parents of children aged 0–12 years answered the FAQLQ–PF. The validity of the construct of the questionnaire was assessed by correlation between the FAQLQ–PF and FAIM–PF (r = 0.85). The Italian version of the FAQLQ had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α >0.70). Factors that mainly influenced the HRQoL were older age, severity of food allergy, and the duration of the cow milk-exclusion diet. Conclusions The FAQLQ–PF, validated in Italian, is a reliable instrument. Worse QoL scores were observed among older children, those with severe systemic reactions, and those with a prolonged cow milk-free diet. It is very important to consider the QoL assessment as an integral part of food-allergy management. These results emphasize the need to administer exclusion diets only for the necessary time and the importance of assessment of the HRQoL in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of animal-source foods on toddler growth.DesignA 5-month comparison feeding intervention study with one of three millet-based porridges randomized to eighteen feeding stations serving 303 children aged 11–40 months. Feeding stations served plain millet porridge (Plain group), porridge with milk (Milk group) or porridge with beef (Meat group). Anthropometry, morbidity and food intake were measured at baseline and regular intervals. Longitudinal mixed models were used to analyse growth.SettingEmbu, Kenya.SubjectsTwo hundred and seventy-four children were included in final analyses.ResultsLinear growth was significantly greater for the Milk group than the Meat group (P = 0·0025). Slope of growth of mid-arm muscle area of the Plain group was significantly greater than in the Meat group (P = 0·0046), while the Milk group's mid-upper arm circumference growth rate was significantly greater than the Meat group's (P = 0·0418). The Milk and Plain groups’ measures did not differ.ConclusionsMilk and meat porridges did not have a significantly greater effect on growth than plain porridge in this undernourished population. Linear growth was influenced by more than energy intakes, as the Plain group's total body weight-adjusted energy intakes were significantly greater than the Meat group's, although linear growth did not differ. Energy intakes may be more important for growth in arm muscle. The diverse age distribution in the study makes interpretation difficult. A longer study period, larger sample size and more focused age group would improve clarity of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence underlines the role of Western diet in the pathogenesis of acne. Acne is absent in populations consuming Palaeolithic diets with low glycaemic load and no consumption of milk or dairy products. Two randomized controlled studies, one of which is presented in this issue of Acta Dermato-Venereologica, have provided evidence for the beneficial therapeutic effects of low glycaemic load diets in acne. Epidemiological evidence confirms that milk consumption has an acne-promoting or acne-aggravating effect. Recent progress in understanding the nutrient-sensitive kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORCl) allows a new view of nutrient signalling in acne by both high glycaemic load and increased insulin-, IGF-1-, and leucine signalling due to milk protein consumption. Acne should be regarded as an mTORCl-driven disease of civilization, like obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer induced by Western diet. Early dietary counselling of teenage acne patients is thus a great opportunity for dermatology, which will not only help to improve acne but may reduce the long-term adverse effects of Western diet on more serious mTORCldriven diseases of civilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is the first stage of atherosclerosis, this has been associated with changes in the lifestyle of our population as is the consumption of processed foods rich in carbohydrates and saturated fats. Objective: To evaluate the effect on endothelial function of donuts and milk industrialized in young medical students from the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. Patients and method: We included 31 young volunteers from the Medicine School of Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo in a transversal and prospective study, 17 women and 14 men, aged 21.6 ± 1.8 years, with a mean weight of 18.0 ± 70.2 kg and height of 1.6 ± 0.08 m were assessed. Subjects underwent clinical evaluation of endothelial function before and after 2 and 4 hours of eating four donuts and 250 ml of processed milk. The evaluation measured the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the radial artery with a semiautomatic Omron Hem-601, a control measurement of baseline and at 2, 5 and 7 minutes after arterial occlusion and flow-dependent dilation of the brachial artery. We assessed concentrations of triglycerides and glucose (glucose) levels of fasting and at 2 and 4 h after breakfast experimental. Results: There was a decrease in endothelial function at two and especially at 4 hours of eating breakfast. The glucose and triglycerides concentrations were stable in blood at fasting and 2 and 4 hours after breakfast, without reaching hypertriglyceridemia or hyperglycemia. Conclusions: The consumption of industrial milk and donuts for breakfast causes a decrease in endothelial function the first step of atherosclerosis, without any significant elevation in the levels of glucose and triglycerides, suggesting that other component, probably the type of fat of these foods leads to endothelial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Calcium demand is increased during pregnancy. However, few randomized controlled trials examined the effects of calcium supplementation on bone mass during pregnancy. This study determined effects of calcium and milk supplementation on maternal bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in pregnant Chinese women with habitual low calcium intake. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 36 Chinese pregnant women (24-31 years, 18 gestational weeks) were randomly assigned to the following three arms (12 each): I, usual diet; II, 'I' + 45 g milk powder (containing 350 mg calcium); or III, 'II' + 600 mg calcium/day from gestational age of 20 weeks to 6 weeks post-partum (PP). BMD was measured post-treatment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary intakes, 24-h urinary calcium, bone resorption (urinary hydroxyproline) and formation (serum osteocalcin) biomarkers were examined at the gestational age of 20 and 34 weeks, and 6 weeks PP. Results: A dose-dependent relationship was observed between calcium intake and BMDs. The BMD values were significantly higher in subjects with calcium and milk supplementation than those in the controls at the whole body and spine ( p < 0.05) but not at the hip sites. We found significant decreases in changes of urinary hydroxyproline, and significant increases in serum osteocalcin during the intervention period in the calcium/milk intervention groups than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Calcium/milk supplementation during pregnancy is associated with greater BMD at the spine and whole body and suppresses bone resorption in Chinese women with habitual low calcium intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine milk is associated with improved health and reduced risk of several diseases, among them cancer. Milk is a complex mixture of known and unknown components. The components and the mechanisms that contribute to the cancer-preventive effects are largely unknown. We set out to find new peptides in milk and identified ubiquitin (Ub) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and Western blot. Using quantitative Western blot, we estimated the Ub concentration to be about 0.003 μmol/L in milk. We then decided to investigate the effect of treating human colon cancer CaCo-2 cells with Ub, using higher concentrations than in milk. CaCo-2 cells treated with 0.02 to 2.0 μmol/L Ub showed significantly decreased proliferation compared with untreated control cells. A higher growth inhibitory effect than in CaCo-2 cells was found in the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y treated with 0.02 to 0.2 μmol/L Ub. A bromodeoxyuridine DNA flow cytometric method was used to study cell cycle kinetics in Ub-treated CaCo-2 cells. The data point toward a prolongation of the G1 phase. The levels of several cell cycle regulatory proteins were affected. Our data point to Ub possibly being one of the components in milk reducing the risk of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Describe and evaluate a media campaign to encourage 1 % or nonfat milk consumption. Design. Uncontrolled pre/post test. Setting. One largely rural (Santa Paula) and one urban (East Los Angeles) California community. Subjects. Community residents and milk vendors in primarily low-income Latino/Hispanic communities. Intervention. The "1 % or Less" milk campaign, which promotes substitution of 2% fat or whole milk with 1 % or less fat milk was adapted and implemented. Measures. Companson of post-campaign milk sales with pre-campaign sales. Analysis. Chi-square tests of independence used to compare precampaign and post campaign sales. Results. There were decreases in the proportion of whole milk sold and increases in the proportion of reduced-fat, low-fat, and nonfat milk sold in the weeks following each campaign (Santa Paula: p = .0165; East Los Angeles: p < .0001). However, follow-up data from East Los Angeles suggest that these changes were not sustained. The proportions of the different units of milk sold also changed in the weeks following each campaign (p < .0001). Sales of whole milk gallon units decreased from 36.3% to 28.4% in Santa Paula, and from 43.5% to 10.2% in East Los Angeles. Conclusion. Highly focused campaigns to promote substitution of high-fat milk with low-fat or nonfat milk can show dramatic initial changes in sales patterns. However, whether such campaigns can have a sustained impact in largely Latino/Hispanic communities is not evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the factors that affect the severity of anaphylaxis, a cow's milk which is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity manifestation that can cause death. It mentions that 30% of disastrous anaphylaxis were due to foods. It notes that the relationship between the severity, demographic, and clinical features of anaphylaxis were assessed and examined using the Correlation-Coefficient and mann-Whitney Tests. It suggests to give several information on avoidance of causative allergen to protect patients against anaphylaxis.

The article reports that drinking at least three servings of milk everyday seemed to improve the body's ability to utilize folate contained in other foods, according to researchers at the Pennsylvania State University. Folate has been known to help prevent heart disease and stroke and to reduce the risk of birth defects in women of childbearing age.

Summary: Background and aims: To clarify the effects of milk intake on bone mineral density (BMD) ，bone mineral content (BMC) and bone metabolism markers. Methods: We identified randomized controlled trials related to urinary N-telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen (NTx), serum osteocalcin, BMD and BMC listed on MEDLINE (January 1966–November 2010), Science Citation Index and PUBMED (updated till November 2010), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1979–November 2010) etc. Results: Eleven studies with a total of 2397 subjects were selected for meta-analysis. The osteocalcin in subjects who consumed milk decreased by 5.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.23, 4.57) ng/ml in comparison to that in control treatment. Milk intake vs control treatment significantly decreased urine NTx by 5.41 (95% CI 10.35, 0.47) nmol/mmol. Moreover, the total body BMC in subjects who consumed milk increased significantly by 40.32 (95% CI 17.58, 63.05) g in comparison to that in control treatment. Milk intake vs control treatment increased total body BMD by 0.01 (95% CI -0.02, 0.03) g/cm2 with borderline significance. Conclusions: Milk intervention significantly attenuates bone loss through inhibiting bone metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]