2010-04-21

Dairy and Health - Positive Correlation


Lipids DOI 10.1007/s11745-010-3412-5 (pre-print)
The Consumption of Milk and Dairy Foods and the Incidence of Vascular Disease and Diabetes: An Overview of the Evidence
http://springerlink.com/content/k2475344067821um/?p=3556e9a1e78d4708919a3420b95f18df&pi=1

Here is an meta-analysis which hits at the heart of intermediate markers vs evidence based outcomes.
People avoid dairy because of high fat content and cholesterol, but the evidence actually points the other way.
High (full fat) dairy consumption is actually correlated with lower rates of all-cause deaths, ischaemic heart disease, stroke and for incident diabetes.

I am not a big fan of meta-analysis, but in cases like this it provides the best/only data.
Milk is such a complex substance that it is likely the beneficial effects of milk peptides, etc. might overwhelm any negative effects.

Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States



The Institute of Medicine (IOM, National Academy of Sciences) released a report which has gotten a lot of news coverage.
Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Strategies-to-Reduce-Sodium-Intake-in-the-United-States.aspx

This report proposes intervention by the FDA.

Washington Post article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/19/AR2010041905049_pf.html
USA Today article
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-04-20-fda-salt-cutback_N.htm?

The FDA hurriedly replied that it has no plans to regulate salt at this time.
They are no doubt reluctant to take the lead.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm209155.htm

I don't know how it could be done fairly to all those concerned, but I feel strongly this would be the only way to reduce salt levels.
No food company wants to go at it alone, because customers will just buy an alternative.

There is a strong sentiment in the US against any "big brother" measures, so this will not be easy by any means.