Focus on bone health

With June being National Osteoporosis Month, The Dairy Council would like to highlight the importance of building and maintaining strong and healthy bones.

Sarah Leyland, Helpline Manager of the National Osteoporosis Society says: “It's important to tuck into bone friendly foods to provide the proper nourishment our skeleton needs. The best combination for protecting bones is an adequate calcium intake, as part of a well balanced diet, teamed with vitamin D and weight bearing exercise. “

Dr Judith Bryans, Director of the Dairy Council and Registered Nutritionist says: “Calcium is vital for bones and, as our bodies cannot produce it, a calcium rich diet is very important. Milk and dairy foods are some of the best sources of calcium in our diets, while also providing a whole host of other bone friendly nutrients including protein, phosphorous and magnesium.”

The Dairy Council recommends having 3 portions of dairy each day (3-A-Day) in order to meet calcium requirements.

The most recent diet and nutrition survey suggests that as many as one in eight boys and one in four girls aged 11 to 14 years, as well as one in ten boys and one in five girls aged 15-18 years, do not get enough calcium.

Calcium requirements are highest during the teenage years as the majority of our bones are formed during this period. So a low calcium intake means that these kids are missing out on an opportunity to build bones.

Making sure we get enough calcium in adulthood is also important for bone health, even after the age of 35, when we begin to lose bone rather than build it. Bone loss increases in women following the onset of the menopause and continues throughout life. Maintaining an adequate calcium intake with all the other nutrients provided by a balanced diet will help to keep bones strong.

• The National Osteoporosis Society runs a helpline staffed by specialist osteoporosis nurses 0845 450 0230.
• A semi-skimmed glass of milk (200ml), a pot of low-fat yogurt (150g) and a matchbox-size piece of cheese (30g) are enough to meet the daily calcium requirement of 700mg for an adult.

For further information relating to dairy research or for nutrition advice relating to dairy, please visit www.milk.co.uk, or contact The Dairy Council at info@dairycouncil.org.uk or on 020 7395 4030.

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