Idaho Dairy Council

Health Professionals - Nutrition Topics

Dairy Food and Cancer Prevention

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S. Both genetic and environmental factors influence cancer risk. Awareness of relationships between diet, specific foods including dairy products, and cancer has been heightened by the recent release of the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR)'s Second Expert Report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. More …

Health Benefits of Dairy Foods

Numerous studies published within the past year or so add to the accumulating body of evidence suggesting that dairy products may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and hypertension, achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, and have a beneficial role in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome (also called insulin resistance syndrome). More …

Making Nutrient-Rich Food Choices First: Key to a Healthful Diet

Concern that most Americans are overweight, yet undernourished, has refocused attention on the long-standing, underutilized concept of nutrient density (a ratio of nutrients to calories) to make healthier food choices. It is evident that advice focusing on calories alone or "nutrients to avoid" (e.g., fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugar) has not worked. More …

A Perspective on Sugar and Health

Nutritive or caloric sweeteners (sugars) increase the palatability of foods and add to the pleasure of eating. Sugars are present naturally in foods such as fructose in fruits and lactose in milk and are added to a variety of foods and beverages during processing or preparation. Added sugars typically include sucrose (table sugar) and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). More …

Modern Dairy Farming Practices & Milk Quality: Myths and Facts

Today's consumers can choose from a wide variety of cow's milks and milk products. Some consumers believe that specific dairy products such as organic milk and raw (unpasteurized) milk are healthier options than regular milk and pasteurized milk, respectively. These myths stem in part from failure to understand modern conventional dairy farming practices and the health importance of milk pasteurization. More …

A New Appreciation for Vitamin D

In the last decade, vitamin D has become a focus of renewed interest. This attention stems from the unexpected finding of widespread vitamin D deficiency in children and adults, emerging evidence of an expanding beneficial role for vitamin D in health, and growing support for increasing dietary recommendations for this fat-soluble vitamin. More …

Whey Nutrition Resources

Whey protein is a high-quality protein derived from cow's milk. Compared to many other proteins, on a gram-to-gram basis, whey protein delivers more essential amino acids to the body and is absorbed quickly and efficiently. More …

The Role of Dairy Foods in Weight Management

The cause of overweight and obesity is multifactorial and successful prevention or treatment depends on multiple actions. Although attention has focused primarily on reducing energy (calorie) intake and/or increasing energy expenditure (physical activity), a promising beneficial role for dietary calcium and dairy products in weight management has recently emerged. More…

Cow's Milk Allergy Versus Lactose Intolerance

Consumption of cow's milk and milk products is associated with overall diet quality and adequacy of intake of many essential nutrients including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D (if fortified), and B12, riboflavin, and niacin. Unfortunately, some individuals may avoid milk and milk products unnecessarily because of adverse reactions to these foods. More…

Emerging Health Benefits of Dairy Proteins

Cow's milk is an excellent source of high quality protein, providing all of the essential amino acids needed by humans. Emerging scientific findings indicate that milk proteins - casein and whey and their bioactive peptides and amino acids - provide a variety of health benefits not previously recognized. More…

Changing Perspectives on Fat, Saturated Fat & Heart Disease

The American Heat Association (AHA) acknowledges the value of milk and has awarded the heart check to fat-free and low-fat milk. That means that these products meet AHA's criteria for recommended levels of saturated fat and cholesterol fro healthy people over age two. The AHA recommends a nutritious diet, low in fat and sodium, rich in milk and dairy products for a healthy heart and long life. More…

Probiotics: Considerations for Human Health

Probiotics - living microorganisms that when consumed insufficient amounts provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition -a re emerging as important dietary ingredients in foods. In the U.S., food products containing these "friendly" probiotic bacteria are almost exclusively dairy products such as yogurt and cultured dairy drinks. More…

Dairy Foods' Contribution to Nutrient Dense Diets

With the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in the nation and the current calcium crisis, it is important that Americans minimize their intake of high-energy foods of low nutrient value, especially those high in added fats, added sugar, and slat, in favor naturally nutrient-dense foods. Milk and other dairy foods, vegetables, and fruit are moderate in energy and have a high nutrient-to-calories ratio. More…

Dairy's Beneficial Role in Women's Health

Women are at unique risk for various nutrition-related diseases and conditions because of their specific dietary needs. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 3 cups a day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products (i.e., yogurt, cheese). This advice is especially important for women. Women's low consumption of dairy foods reduces their intake of essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D and may contribute to their risk for various diseases or disorders that can affect the length and quality of their lives. More…

Dairy's Role in Children's Health & Wellness

Dairy products are not only important for children's growth and development, but these foods also have beneficial roles in a variety of chronic diseases. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 3 cups/day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products (e.g., cheese, yogurt) as part of a healthful diet for children 9 years of age and older and for some younger children who are physically active. More…