Effect of Milk Beneficial on Bone Health?

Introduction

Breast milk is the first beverage drank by an infant, hence he or she obtains many nutrients in addition to antibodies from maternal side. Additional benefits for instance cardiovascular diseases, obesity, leukemia et cetera health jeopardies being lowered are offered (National Health Service, 2018). Infants will be fed cow’s milk gradually as time passes, which is essential for bone strength and growth due to calcium, carbohydrates, as well as protein (BabyCenter, 2016). Cow’s milk is still consumed by every age group, where according to the International Dairy Association (2017), amount of this beverage drank per capita in the world in 2016 is 111.1 kg. Hence, many people globally choose to drink this beverage to reap the benefits contained in it. According to Ware (2017), muscle mass, cardiovascular along with bone strength are supported via potassium, protein, calcium as well as Vitamin D present in milk. But studies show milk may bring disadvantages to bone density negatively, thus, this paper aims to investigate into advantages versus detriment of milk towards strength in bones.

Effect of Amount of Milk Drank and Age Group

Children and Adolescents

Firstly, this particular drink plays a significant role in bone health due to presence of calcium mineral at high amount. According to University of California (2018), per cup, calcium is present at 300mg, which is higher than the content in cheese, soy milk, fish, nuts, as well as grains. Inability to achieve amount recommended leads to a deficiency in this mineral is hypocalcemia, which may cause harmful effects to well-being such as osteoporosis, heartbeat abnormality in addition to eye damage (Khan and Gotter, 2018). Likewise, analysis states the existence of a link amid reducing the risk of fracture and milk ingested during puberty and infant by avoiding hypocalcemia. In a study led by Closa-Monasterolo et al. (2018), they found that in children with topnotch well-being, their compactness of bone marrow increases with the micronutrient included at adequate amounts in their diet. After monitoring for 3 years, children whose bone density levels lowered in areas such as bone marrow, as well as lumbar spine had an ingestion of calcium less than 95% daily. Du et al. (2004) support the evidence given by Closa-Monasterolo et al.. Throughout their two-year study, Du et al. found out that by consuming a high quantity of milk, it not only strengthens the bone, but it also led to rising in height in a majority of the girls. On the other hand, some researchers point out that due to the short length of research time, the quantity suggested to adolescents and children may have exceeded the limit (Ludwig and Willett, 2013). According to their analysis, the result stated that through overestimating the limit, 3 cups of milk per day may bring harmful effects.

Adults

A common occurrence of bone disease, osteoporosis in adults as a result of the decrease of tissue along with mass of the bone (Sahni et al., 2014). According to Tian et al. (2017), the recorded number of patients with osteoporosis was 200 million globally during 2000, thus, the Institute of Medicine (2011) advises intake of the mineral to be at a maximum of 1200 mg and minimum 1000 mg daily for adults. According to Sahni et al. (2014), their research states milk drank at a maximum of 7 cups per week, chance of hip breakage occurring in adults’ lowers. Also, throughout eleven-years, the density of bone increased. Therefore, risk of obtaining osteoporosis decreases by raising the density of bone (Guise, 2006). Feskanich, Meyer, Fung, Ferrari and Willett (2017) supported them with their positive results. After 32 years, percentage of hip breakage occurrence decreases by 8% with 1 cup of milk drank every day in 123906 adults of both genders. Khan et al. (2015) agree with Sahni et al. as their study reported the same result. On the other hand, Michaëlsson et al. (2014) disagree with evidence given. This is because their study results showed that breakage of bone risk rises when an individual drink more milk. They hypothesise inflammation, in addition to oxidation, was the causation of upsurge in bone breakage. Cumming et al. (1997) agree with Michaëlsson et al. as their study reported no evidence between bone breakage and amount of milk drank.

Conclusion

Overall, prevention of bone breakage in all age groups is beneficial with large amount of milk drank despite a handful of investigations opposing the conventional idea of osteoporosis jeopardy being lowered through high consumption of milk. Therefore, further studies should be done to prove how much milk should an adult, youth and children consume. In addition, reliability of the study can be increased by considering other factors which affect bone compactness such as exercise, phosphorus along with vitamin D levels in the body. The micronutrients affects concentration of calcium as well as density of bone (Levine, Rodríguez, Felsenfeld, 2014).