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Consumption of low-fat dairy products will save you from osteoporosis
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
It has long been known that milk and dairy products contain an abundance of nutrients necessary for human health. Recently, scientists from Harvard University came to a conclusion that will undoubtedly please older people and people suffering from excess weight. As a result of research into the effect of dairy products on the human body, doctors have determined that the most useful products are those with a low fat content.
Elderly people are advised to eat low-fat foods (up to 5%) every day. Adding these foods to your diet will help strengthen bone tissue, which is especially important in the winter when icy conditions make emergency rooms overcrowded. Doctors say that fatty dairy products do not have such a beneficial effect.
In people over 50, bone tissue becomes weakened, which causes frequent damage. During the study, British scientists noted that people who daily consume at least 300 grams of any low-fat dairy product have bone tissue that is more resistant to external irritants. The study included a sociological survey involving more than 3,000 people. Participants answered questions in detail about their daily diet and were also examined. The results showed that people who consume low-fat dairy products every day have significantly more vitamin D and calcium than those who ignore dairy products. Another positive aspect is that dairy consumption does not affect the amount of fat in the body, and fatty dairy products such as cream, ice cream, and cottage cheese do not have a positive effect on the body.
Doctors assure that the consumption of low-fat dairy products can prevent such a disease as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease, which is characterized by weakening of bone tissue, increased fragility of bones and a decrease in their density. The disease can be fought with a special diet aimed at the intake of substances such as calcium, animal protein and vitamin D. Since the disease mainly affects elderly and old people, doctors approach the prescription of these substances with caution: too much vitamin D can cause atherosclerosis, and the amount of calcium should not exceed 1300-1500 mg / day.
Doctors recommend consuming calcium in soluble form (the best option is fermented milk products), and the ratio of fat to calcium should be 1:10, otherwise calcium is not absorbed well by the body. Doctors call regular consumption of low-fat liquid dairy products the best prevention of osteoporosis. Several glasses of milk or kefir daily can protect people over 50-60 years old from weakening of bone tissue and the development of diseases associated with insufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D in the body.