I’ve often thought that low-fat and no-fat dairy products should be cheaper than whole fat options. I mean, after all, you’re getting a lot less of the nutritional content. And, well, it just doesn’t taste as good.
A new study suggests that whole fat dairy may be more protective of cardiovascular disease and stroke
A new study supports my grocery store musing, and actually suggests that whole fat dairy may be more protective of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Hmmmmmm. . . that’s quite the twist.
Whole-fat dairy is more beneficial for the heart
The study is from Lancet, and shows that perhaps whole-fat dairy is more beneficial for the heart.
Researchers in Canada looked at 136,384 people from 21 different countries
Researchers from McMaster University in Canada looked at 136,384 people from 21 different countries between the ages of 35 and 70 years. Participants were followed for 9 years. Everyone’s daily intake of milk and dairy products was recorded over this time period. Overall health was also recorded. The data is part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study.
On assessing the dairy consumption habits of participants, they were put into 4 categories:
- Those who ate no dairy at all
- Those who had less than one serving per day
- Those who had one to two servings per day
- Those who consumed more than two servings per day
One serving is equal to 244g glass of milk or yogurt or a teaspoon of butter (5g) or a 15g slice of cheese.
The findings
The findings showed that individuals who consumed roughly three servings of dairy daily had a lower risk of death and reduced cardiovascular disease risk as well as stroke compared to the group that did not consume dairy products at all. Additionally, those who consumed three servings of whole fat dairy were at less of a risk of heart disease compared to those who consumed half a serving of whole-fat dairy daily. The study also showed milk and yogurt to be healthier options than butter and cheese.
This study refutes advice that states low-fat dairy is good for the heart
According to lead author Dr Mahshid Dehghan, a senior research associate in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University, this study refutes advice that states low-fat dairy is good for the heart. She said that people have been focusing on low-fat dairy “predominantly based on the assumption that saturated fat increases LDL cholesterol.” She went on to explain that milk and dairy contain other healthy components also. This includes vitamin K1, K2, calcium, magnesium, potassium, unsaturated fats and amino acids. These can also improve heart health. She said milk and dairy can be fermented to have probiotics which are healthy as well. She added that it is wrong to focus only on a single nutrient – namely fat.
Razi Berry is the founder and publisher of the journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review that has been in print since 2005 and the premier consumer-faced website of naturopathic medicine, NaturalPath. She is the host of The Natural Cancer Prevention Summit and The Heart Revolution-Heal, Empower and Follow Your Heart, and the popular 10 week Sugar Free Summer program. From a near death experience as a young girl that healed her failing heart, to later overcoming infertility and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia through naturopathic medicine, Razi has lived the mind/body healing paradigm. Her projects uniquely capture the tradition and philosophy of naturopathy: The healing power of nature, the vital life force in every living thing and the undeniable role that science and mind/body medicine have in creating health and overcoming dis-ease. Follow Razi on Facebook at Razi Berry and join us at Love is Medicine to explore the convergence of love and health.