Idaho Dairy Council

Health Professionals - Reducing Disease Risk

Stronger Bones

No matter what your age, the calcium that comes from milk and dairy products is an essential part of promoting good health as well as good bone development and maintenance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends three servings of milk and dairy products a day as part of a healthy diet. More…

Weight Management

Enjoying three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt as part of a nutrient-rich, balanced diet may help to maintain a healthy weight. Nutrient-rich dairy foods are a core part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Enjoying three cups of milk or milk products every day as part of a healthy diet as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines improves the overall nutritional quality of the diet, whether you are dieting or not. More…

Cancer

Some studies have shown that dairy foods may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast and colon. Preliminary research suggests that several components of dairy foods may have anti-cancer properties, including calcium, vitamin D, sphinglolipids, and a type of fatty acid known as CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). More…

Dental Health

Studies suggest that cheese can protect teeth against cavities. More…

Diabetes

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Associaiton found that higher dairy consumption among overweight young adults may protect against the development of obesity and insulin resistance syndrome, and may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. More…

New Report Projects More than $200 Billion in Healthcare Cost Savings from Simple Diet Change

Increasing dairy intake each day could lead to a reduction in chronic disease risk and treatment costs. A recently published report suggests that eating 3 - 4 servings of dairy each day as part of a healthy diet could lead to healthcare cost savings of more than $200 billion over five years, and $26 billion in the first year alone. The report, which takes into account approximately 100 studies spanning two decades, is one of the first to analyze how small diet changes may contribute to significant healthcare cost savings and a healthier population. More…