Continuing milk and dairy products while dieting found to be beneficial

15/11/05 New research published in the October issue of Obesity Research, suggests that people shouldn't cut milk and other dairy products out of their diets when trying to lose weight.

In this year-long clinical trial conducted at the University of Vermont, overweight and obese adults consuming 3-4 servings of dairy a day as part of a reduced-calorie diet lost a significant amount of weight and body fat.

Researchers monitored the diet progress of 44 study participants, who were either on a high-dairy diet (3-4 servings of dairy/1200-1400 mg calcium) or lower dairy diet (about one serving/400-500 mg calcium). The daily energy deficit -- which is caloric restriction combined with exercise -- was approximately 500-650 calories per day, varying between subjects. After six months, adults on the high-dairy diet saw an average body fat decrease of 27.5 percent and after 12 months, they had lost an average of nearly 24 pounds.

Previously published clinical trials have found that overweight and obese adults who consumed 3 servings of dairy each day lost twice as much weight and fat as those on low-dairy diets (one serving or less), when the groups had similar reductions in calories. Additionally, numerous population-based studies show a connection between a diet adequate in calcium and lower body weight.

Because dairy products naturally contain calcium, protein and other essential nutrients, getting 3 servings each day improves the nutritional quality of the diet, whether you are dieting or not. However, most Americans are not consuming the recommended amounts of calcium and dairy foods. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002), 86 percent of American women and 76 percent of men do not meet the current dairy recommendations.

The American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council (ADA/NDC) is managed by Dairy Management, Inc., the nonprofit domestic and international planning and management organization responsible for increasing demand for U.S.- produced dairy products on behalf of America's dairy farmers.

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