Size Surprise in Milk Study

Thursday, August 29th 2002

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Children who avoid milk tend to be shorter and more fragile, Otago researchers find.

Children who do not drink milk are twice as likely to fracture bones and are likely to be shorter than children that do, a study has found.

The Otago University bone-density study examined 50 non-milk drinking children ages three to 10.

Almost half of the group, who had avoided cow's milk for at least four months, had already suffered one or more fractures.

Postgraduate human nutrition student Ruth Black, with research fellow professor Alisa Goulding, carried out the study, paid for by the Health Research Council and New Zealand Milk.

Other authors of the study, to be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this week, were Sheila Williams and Ian Jones.

"We were surprised by the severity of the low density in the children we studied, by the high number of young children we was who had already broken bones - and by the fact that many were short and overweight," said Professor Goulding.

Shortness was an unexpected finding.

"Milk does contain active peptides which favour bone gain, so it may be a property of milk-avoidance, not just calcium deprivation, which contributes to the shorter stature and small bones of children who avoid milk."

The study, described as a world-first, found that only 8 per cent of the group met daily calcium intake guidelines.

Half the children studied reported suffering from allergy-like symptoms if they drank milk.

The remainder said they either did not like it or it was unavailable at home.

Professor Goulding said parents needed to ensure their children received sufficient calcium through other means if they did not drink milk.

Source New Zealand Herald 24 August 2002

Ideal Health Calcium information

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. About 99% is deposited in the bones and teeth. The remaining 1% is involved in the soft tissues, intracellular fluids and blood. Calcium is used in the development and maintenance of bone structure and rigidity. It functions in the clotting process, nerve transmission and muscle stimulation, parathyroid hormone function and metabolism of Vitamin D. The major function of calcium is to act in cooperation with phosphorus to build and maintain bones and teeth. Another important function is the storage of the mineral in the bones for use by the body. The calcium state of the bones is constantly fluctuating according to the diet and to the body's needs. It is essential for healthy blood and eases insomnia and its delicate messenger ions help regulate the heartbeat. Along with calcium, magnesium is needed to properly maintain the cardiovascular system.

In addition, calcium assists in the process of blood clotting and helps prevent the accumulation of too much acid or too much alkali in the blood. It also plays a part in secretion of hormones. It affects neurotransmitters, nerve transmission, muscle growth and muscle contraction. The mineral acts as a messenger from the cell surface to the inside of the cell and helps regulate the passage of nutrients in and out of the cell walls. Calcium aids in the body's utilisation of iron and helps activate several digestive enzymes.

Calcium absorption is very inefficient: Only 20 to 30% of ingested calcium is absorbed. Women after menopause frequently absorb as little as 7%. About 100 to 200 milligrams are filtered through the blood and excreted in the urine. Another 125 to 180 mg are excreted in the faeces. Some is lost in sweat but only when there is illness or extreme physical activity in dry, hot environments. Absorption takes place in the duodenum and ceases in the lower part of the intestinal tract when food content becomes alkaline. It is more efficient to take calcium in smaller doses several times a day and at night before bedtime, which also promotes a sound sleep.

What symptoms can you get if you have a deficiency of calcium?

Calcium deficiencies are wide spread in human society with only 1/3 to of the necessary requirements being consumed. One of the first signs of a deficiency is a nervous affliction called tetany, which is characterised by muscle cramps, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. Another deficiency ailment is osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and fragile because calcium is withdrawn from the bones and other areas faster than it is deposited in them. All humans lose bone density starting between the ages of 30 and 40. Excessive bone loss affects over 20 million people, mostly women who are 45 and older. A good accumulation of calcium in the bones at early stags in life is the best prevention of age related bone loss and fractures. A deficiency may be due to a lack of vitamin D or abnormal concentrations of hormones that regulate the availability from the bones to the blood, not to a dietary inadequacy.

Low levels of calcium increase the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure. Calcium may counteract the effects of sodium in the development of hypertension. Severe deficiency can lead to abnormal heart beat, dementia and convulsions. When there is not enough calcium absorbed in the body, the output of estrogen decreases. As is the case with postmenopausal women, older men are often deficient in calcium. Other people who may be at risk for deficiencies are those who use antacids that contain aluminium; those who are alcohol drinkers; those on diets that are low calorie, high protein, or high fibre; those who are lactose intolerant; those who use cortisone; women who are pregnant and those who are basically inactive. Moderate cases of calcium deficiency may lead to cramps, joint pains, heart palpitations, increased cholesterol levels, slow pulse rates, insomnia, impaired growth, excessive irritability or nerves, muscle cramps, brittle nails, eczema and numbness of the arms and or legs.

The following products are all useful sources of calcium and will assist to increase bone density and mineral levels.

Complete Calcium
Calcium Magnesium Complex
Ethi Cal Bone Builder Vitamin D Powder
Ethi Cal Hi-Strength Tabs
Kids Bone
Mineral Power
Calcium Magnesium Complex
Super Calcium Complete

Find out more about the importance of Calcium here.

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

 

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