Is milk good for you?  Some experts say your intake should vary depending on your age.

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• 1,000 mg/day for those age 19-50
• 1,200 mg/day for those age 50 or over
• 1,000 mg/day for pregnant or lactating adult women

A British committee that is comparable to the NAS recommends only 700mg/day for men and women over the age of 19.

Milk is by far the greatest source of calcium per serving.  Other sources include green leafy vegetables and dried beans but the levels of calcium are much lower.

Another surprising source of calcium is our bones.  The body trys to maintain a balance of calcium in our bloodstream.  If our intake of calcium drops too low, the bloodstream borrows calcium from our bones.  If this condition persists, the risk of osteoporosis, or weakening of the bones, is increased.

Milk is also a great source of vitamin D.  Vitamin D is as important to bone health as calcium because it regulates the amount of calcium in the bloodsteam.  When calcium levels drop, vitamin D is converted into it's active form which increases absorption of calcium into the blood.  It also effects the kidneys by minimizing calcium loss though the urine.

Why Not Milk?

Milk is a source of saturated fat which can lead to heart disease.  Watching your fat intake can help keep you from falling prey to the #1 killer of Americans.

Lactose intorerance is a problem for many people and has been linked to genetic causes.  For example, 90% of Asians, 70% of blacks and Native Americans and 50% of Hispanics are lactose intolerant.  Compare that with only 15% of people of Northern European descent.

There are possible links between high milk intake and the risk of ovarian and prostate cancers.  A Harvard study shows that men who drank two or more glasses of milk a day were twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as those who drank no milk at all.

In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH).  This hormone is injected into milk cows and has a proven 20% increase in milk output.  An increased risk of cancer has been linked to the use of this hormone to the point that it's use is banned in Europe and Canada.  Milk labeled "NO rBGH" will not contain this hormone and is available in health food stores.

It Is Your Choice

When experts disagree or have inconclusive evidence, we are forced to choose for ourselves given what we believe.  A cold glass of milk and cookies may not be the best thing for you, but, as in all things, moderation is the key.