Health Concerns About Dairy (2024)

FAQs

Health Concerns About Dairy? ›

Milk and other dairy products are the top source of saturated fat in the American diet, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Studies have also linked dairy to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

Despite the established benefits for bone health, some people avoid dairy in their diet due to beliefs that dairy may be detrimental to health, especially in those with weight management issues, lactose intolerance, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or trying to avoid cardiovascular disease.

As with anything, however, dairy should be consumed in moderation. Consuming too much can cause digestive problems, not to mention that a high dairy diet can be very fattening if not balanced and coupled with physical activity. As Dr. Gingold says, “Dairy does have more fat than many other products.

Why is it important to eat or drink dairy? Eating or drinking dairy products offers health benefits, like building and maintaining strong bones. Dairy Group foods provide nutrients that are vital for the health and maintenance of the body. These nutrients include calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein.

You might consider removing dairy from your diet if you are lactose intolerant, have a milk allergy, and prefer non-dairy alternatives. Eliminating dairy may improve your skin health and reduce bloating. Dairy products have several essential nutrients that support your bone health.

Some people need to avoid dairy products and cows' milk because their bodies cannot digest lactose (lactose intolerance) or they have an allergy to cows' milk protein. There are a number of lactose-free dairy products available to buy that are suitable for people with lactose intolerance.

"Dairy isn't necessary in the diet for optimal health, but for many people, it is the easiest way to get the calcium, vitamin D, and protein they need to keep their heart, muscles, and bones healthy and functioning properly," says Vasanti Malik, nutrition research scientist with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public ...

Diets low in dairy have been shown to lower inflammation . Inflammation may promote the growth of unhealthy gut bacteria linked to some chronic diseases or conditions including leaky gut. Inflammation-causing foods — when they cause problems in the digestive tract — can lead to diarrhea, headaches, and fatigue.

You can get sick more easily

Explaining why, she says: "This may because you are lacking the important vitamin B12. B12 is commonly found in dairy products and assists in regulating the immune system and helping the body to fight bacteria.

Is dairy bad for your gut? ›

Although dairy can negatively affect gut health, it still contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, protein and vitamin D. If you have a dairy allergy or are lactose-intolerant, there are other excellent options to keep your gut healthy.

Drinking at least three servings of milk or eating dairy foods each day is a good way for seniors, like Doris, to get vitamin D and calcium, and protein.

Q: How much dairy per day is too much? A: It is important not to cross the recommended amount of dairy, which is 2-2.5 servings for children and 3 servings for adults per day. Taking too much milk can lead to digestive issues, skin problems, weight gain, and more. Dairy is also associated with some forms of cancer.

Eggs are often mistakenly categorized as dairy, but eggs are not dairy products. Eggs are laid by birds, which do not have mammary glands. Dairy products are items like yogurt, cheese and milk. You can eat eggs if you follow a dairy-free diet or if you have lactose intolerance.

The healthiest milk alternative is soy milk because it's nutritionally comparable to dairy milk, says registered dietitian Jamie Nadeau. Dairy milk is an important source of protein, calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients. It contains 8 grams of protein per cup while soy milk contains just over 6 grams per cup.

Dairy can contribute to a healthy diet, but you have to be mindful about the type and quantity of dairy that you consume. Dairy products offer protein, calcium, and many other nutrients, but they can also lead to digestive upset and contain high levels of saturated fat and sugar.

Milk and other dairy products are the top sources of artery-clogging saturated fat in the American diet. Milk products also contain cholesterol. Diets high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease, which remains America's top killer. For more information, see our Cholesterol page.

Negatives of dairy products

Saturated fats increases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – or “bad” – cholesterol levels. Higher LDL levels increase your risk for coronary heart disease. Some people have a lactose intolerance. Those who are lactose intolerant cannot properly digest lactose, which is the sugar found in milk.

It additionally has very high water content and neutral pH compared to other foods. Bacteria, the main culprits behind milk spoilage and poisoning, grow best in environments with high water content and neutral pH. You are more likely to encounter bacterial contamination in milk and soft cheeses.

People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in milk. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable.