As a health professional, you understand the nutritional benefits of dairy foods and know that eating three servings of dairy every day will lead to healthier living. To effectively convey this message to your patients and clients, consider the following dairy facts:

Research has shown that increased consumption of dairy products, by both children and adults, improves bone density later in life and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Emerging research indicates that increased dairy consumption leads to weight loss. Specifically, drinking milk and eating cheese and yogurt can prevent the accumulation of excess body fat, whereas diets low in calcium and dairy may increase the risk of obesity.
Numerous studies have found that the nutrients found in dairy foods, including calcium, potassium and magnesium, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.
Several studies link the intake of dairy foods with decreased risk of colon and breast cancers.
Certain cheeses, such as Cheddar, Swiss, Blue, Monterey Jack and American, have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Also, help your patients and clients understand the nutritional benefits of milk. Just one 8-ounce serving delivers nine essential daily nutrients, including:

Calcium – 30% Daily Value (based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet)
Calcium helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth. It also plays an important role in nerve function, muscle contraction and blood clotting.

Vitamin D – 25% Daily Value
Vitamin D, available in fortified milk, helps promote the absorption of calcium and enhances bone mineralization. Milk is one of the few dietary sources of this important nutrient.

Riboflavin – 24% Daily Value
Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, helps convert food into energy, which is critical for exercise.

Phosphorus – 20% Daily Value
Phosphorus helps strengthen bones and generates energy in your body's cells.

Protein – 16% Daily Value
The protein in milk is "complete," which means it contains all the essential amino acids or "building blocks" of protein. Protein builds and repairs muscle tissue and serves as a source of energy.

Vitamin B12 – 13% Daily Value
Vitamin B12 helps build red blood cells, carry oxygen from the lungs to working muscles.

Potassium – 11% Daily Value
Potassium regulates the body's fluid balance and helps maintain normal blood pressure. It is also necessary for muscle activity and contraction. Milk contains more potassium than sports drinks.

Vitamin A – 10% Daily Value
Vitamin A helps maintain normal vision and skin. It also helps regulate cell growth and maintains the integrity of the immune system.

Niacin – 10% Daily Value
Niacin is critical for the normal function of many enzymes in the body, and is involved in the metabolism of sugars and fatty acids.

Visit the following sites for helpful information about the dietary importance of dairy:

Nutrition Guidelines for Better Health

After reading this CME Bulletin, you should be able to:

Describe the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommendations on fat, carbohydrates, and protein.

Communicate to patients the importance of adequate nutrient intake, including intake of fiber and nutrtients that are considered inadequate in the typical American diet, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E.

Use the food groups to encourage messages to educate patients about ways to build a healthy diet based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low- or nonfat milk or milk products.