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Evidence based public health policy and practice: Peter C Elwood, Janet E Pickering, and Ann M Fehily Milk and dairy consumption, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome: the Caerphilly prospective study J Epidemiol Community Health 2007; 61: 695-698 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Should stroke patients be advised to increase their milk intake?

Tina Khosla   (29 February 2008)

Displaces Excess Carbohydrates

Charles R. Fred   (19 July 2007)

Should stroke patients be advised to increase their milk intake? 29 February 2008
Tina Khosla, Medical Student UMKC Send letter to journal: Re: Should stroke patients be advised to increase their milk intake? tknn8{at}umkc.edu Tina Khosla	Dear Editor A recent article in your journal from Caerphilly study demonstrates that increasing consumption of milk helps control metabolic syndrome, a known risk factor for ischemic cerebro vascular accident (CVA) [1]. Previous studies have demonstrated that milk also helps control hypertension, another major risk factor for ischemic CVA [2].A long term Japanese study of men between ages of 55-68 years demonstrated that men who consumed 16 ounces or more milk per day cut down their risk of stroke to half compared to the men who did not drink milk.[3]. This study also indicated that calcium from non-dairy intake did not reduce the risk of stroke. Another prospective study of 53000 Japanese men and women found that total calcium intake and calcium from dairy products were associated with reduced mortality from stroke.[4] Nurses’ health study of more than 85000 US women aged 35 to 59 years have indicated that women who consumed higher calcium, especially dairy calcium, lowered their risk of ischemic CVA. [5]The Caerphilly Cohort Study, which followed a group of 2403 men aged 45 to 59 years for 20 to 24 years, demonstrated that men who drank two cups or more milk per day had lower risk of ischemic CVA compared to the men who did not drink milk. [2] Milk reduced that risk even further in patients who already had known atherosclerotic disease [2]. Authors of this study pooled the data of 10 cohort studies on this subject and concluded that milk drinking may be associated with small but worthwhile reduction of stroke risk[2]. In spite of these studies, none of the dietary recommendation specifically asks general public or stroke patients to increase the consumption of milk to reduce their future risk of stroke. In light of these studies, consideration should be given to change those recommendations or at least carry out further studies to address that question. References 1. Elwood PC, Pickering JE, Fehily AM: Milk and dairy consumption, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome: the Caerphilly prospective study, J Epidemiol Community Health; , Aug; 61(8) 695-8,2007 2. Miller GD, Jarvis JK, McBean LD: Handbook of dairy foods and nutrition: CRC press Boca Raton 2007 page 99-139,75-78, 70 3. Abbot, RD et al; Effect of dietary calcium and milk consumption on risk of thromboembolic stroke in older middle aged men. The Honolulu Heart Program. Stroke, 27, 813,1996 4. Umesawa, M et al ; Dietary intake of calcium in relation to mortality from cardiovascular disease , the JACC study ,Stroke 37, 20, 2006 5. Iso, H et al, Prospective study of calcium, potassium and magnesium intake and risk of stroke in women, Sroke 30, 1772,1999
Displaces Excess Carbohydrates 19 July 2007
Charles R. Fred, Retired None Send letter to journal: Re: Displaces Excess Carbohydrates cfredc1{at}yahoo.com Charles R. Fred	Dear Editor This fine study (full version not accessible to me), like so many studies claiming similar virtues for fruits and vegetables, in fact reflects the displacement of dense, non-evolutionary, carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes, bread) by other macronutrients or by less dense carbs. All confirm the VLDL-generating (atherogenesis) and pancreas-straining (type2 diabetes) results of dietary carbohydrate in excess of human glycogen storage capacity and/or provoking excessive insulin responses.