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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: cosmicforce who wrote (97425)	3/10/2005 2:10:19 AM
From: Grainne	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Researchers who find connections between milk and diseases quickly come up against the dairy interests and often soften their statements in reaction to their threats. I have no idea why--that doesn't seem to be good science. Monday morning I was watching CNN and Dr. Sanjay Gupta was interviewing Dr. Neal Barnard, of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Now Dr. Barnard is a vegetarian. During the interview Dr. Gupta and Dr. Barnard discussed Dr. Spock, the famous pediatrician who near the end of his life came out against children drinking any milk. Gupta was saying that no other animals drink another species' milk, and that several recent studies indicate that it is harmful--particularly that instead of strengthening our bones, milk actually weakens them (this makes sense because we have a huge rate of osteoporosis even though we are big milk drinkers). By that afternoon the dairy board had obviously flipped out, because there was a disclaimer that Dr. Barnard was a VEGETARIAN doctor. Does that change the results of these studies? No, not at all. Dr. Barnard's group did not even do the studies. The whole thing is rather bizarre. Shoutout CARL AZUZ, CNN REPORTER: Time for the Shoutout! Which of the following is not a health benefit of calcium? If you think you know it, shout it out! A) Helps strengthen teeth B) Helps bones develop C) Helps muscles contract D) Helps blood clot? You've got three seconds--GO! Trick question! All of your options are health benefits of calcium! That's your answer and that's your Shoutout! Need Milk ANNA HOVIND, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: No doubt you've been asked if you've "got milk" -- a common source of calcium. But do you need it, for strong bones? Doctor Sanjay Gupta explains why some experts say you should supplement with instant oats, tofu, or cooked kale for calcium. (begin video) CNN SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It's been ingrained in our minds since childhood: COMMERCIAL: Milk it does a body good. GUPTA: But does it really? The answer based on recent studies might shock you. DR. NEAL D. BARNARD, PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE: We looked at whether milk builds the bones and whether milk builds bone density. The answer is clear. Milk really doesn't help. We've grown up with a myth. GUPTA: Contrary to what our mothers told us growing up, an analysis of 58 dairy studies conducted by researchers from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, found that calcium from milk and other dairy products does not help bone development in children and teens. Kelly Ferrer drinks lowfat chocolate milk during lunch at her elementary school in Kissimmee, Florida. BARNARD: That kid who did not wanna drink the milk should stop being forced to do so. It's not gonna help their bones GUPTA: The news...shocking to most parents MOTHER: Very surprised and very reluctant to believe that... MOTHER: I've always thought since I grew up that milk is good for bones and for the teeth and for building strong bodies --That's what I've always said and always stressed to my kids. GUPTA: But should pediatricians start to tell parents they don't need to worry about getting their kids to drink milk? The American Academy of Pediatrics stands by its guidelines of 800 to 1300 mg of dietary calcium daily for children over two and teens MEL HEYMAN, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS: There is no evidence that giving calcium harms anybody. Milk has other nutrients that are important, such as added vitamin d, there is protein in milk. I would still encourage the intake of milk for both its calcium and nutrient content. GUPTA: Instead of dairy, the new analysis emphasize weight-bearing exercise as a better way to build and maintain strong bones, and sources like green leafy vegetables and fortified O-J as way to the minimal amount of calcium the body does need. The analysis supports a growing number of doctors who question the value of children drinking milk after they've stopped breastfeeding. Others cite cow's milk as a primary culprit behind some children's allergies, and say it's unnatural that humans are the only species who drink the milk of other mammals. In spite of the news, many parents are still holding onto their beliefs. MOTHER: I would definitely push the issue with milk because it's it's very good for your teeth and bones, so we would continue to drink it. (end video) Here's part of the interview: cnnstudentnews.cnn.com