NIH Conference on Lactose Intolerance Leads to Important Conclusions
You may be surprised to learn that experts at the National Institutes of Health’s
Lactose Intolerance and Health Consensus Development Conference report that in
most cases, lactose-intolerant individuals
can incorporate
some dairy into their diets.
The independent panel of broad-based, multidisciplinary, lactose-intolerance experts noted that lactose-intolerant individuals who avoid dairy foods altogether don’t get enough calcium and vitamin D, which may increase their risk of osteoporosis, decreased bone accrual, and other health problems.
This led panelists to recommend the development of evidence-based dietary approaches (and supplementation strategies) that both
include and exclude dairy foods, and corresponding educational campaigns to inform healthcare providers, patients and the general public about this and other developments in the field.
For a look at all of the conclusions from the February 2010 conference on the current state of knowledge about lactose intolerance, visit
http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/lactosestatement.htm.
Milk Matters Materials Available through WE CAN! Collaboration
Milk Matters publications and materials are a part of WE CAN! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition), a national program designed as a one-stop resource for parents and caregivers interested in practical tools to help children 8-to-13-years-old stay at a healthy weight. Tips and fun activities focus on three critical behaviors: improved food choices, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time.
The program is a collaboration of four Institutes of the NIH, including the NICHD, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
For more information on WE CAN!, go to
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/.