JUNE is National Dairy Month

Month. National Dairy Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk.
This celebration is a great way to start the summer with nutrient-rich dairy foods. From calcium to potassium, dairy products like milk contain nine essential nutrients which may help to better manage your weight, reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers.
Whether it’s protein to help build and repair the muscle tissue of active bodies or vitamin A to help maintain healthy skin, dairy products are a natural nutrient powerhouse. Those are just a few of the reasons that you should celebrate dairy not just in June, but all year long.

DAIRY FACTS AND MYTHS
Myth: Only whole milk contains vitamin D
FACT: All milk, regardless of the fat content, is fortified with vitamin D. In fact, milk is the number one food source of calcium, potassium and vitamin D, which is critical for bone development and offers an economical source of protein. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommended 3 servings of Low Fat dairy for those 2 years of age and older.
Myth: Unpasteurized milk offers more health benefits than pasteurized milk.
FACT: Unpasteurized or raw milk, and foods made from it, can pose serious health risks, such as tuberculosis and exposure to listeria and salmonella. According to the Food and Drug Administration, there is no scientific evidence connecting raw milk consumption and disease prevention.
Myth: People who are sensitive to lactose should avoid milk and other dairy foods.
FACT: Lactose intolerance doesn’t mean dairy intolerance. Some people with lactose sensitivity can drink up to one cup of milk with a meal. Hard cheeses and cultured products like yogurt are also a good option because most lactose is removed.
Myth: Soy beverages are a healthful substitute for cow’s milk.
FACT: While soy beverages are a good source of plant protein, they do not offer the same nutrient profile of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin.
Myth: Organic milk is healthier than regular milk.
FACT: All milk is required to be tested to the same standards by the USDA and the FDA. There is no nutritional difference in organic milk and regular milk. Both varieties contain the same vitamins and minerals and taste great.
Myth: For the price, juice supplies more nutrients
FACT: At just 25 cents per eight-ounce glass, milk provides twice as many nutrients and vitamins as soft drinks and juices.

LET’S LOOK AT LACTOSE INTOLERANCE CLOSER
How is it diagnosed? The doctor may first recommend eliminating all milk and milk products from the person’s diet for a short time to see if the symptoms resolve. Two tests measure the digestion of lactose. The Hydrogen Breath Test and the Stool Acidity Test help medical professionals determine the levels of undigested lactose in the patient’s diets.

What are the symptoms?
People with lactose intolerance may feel uncomfortable 30 minutes to two hours after consuming milk and milk products. Symptoms range from mild to severe, based on the amount of lactose consumed and the amount a person can tolerate. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea.
What are the causes?
The cause of lactose intolerance is best explained by describing how a person develops lactase deficiency. Primary lactase deficiency develops over time and begins after about age 2 when the body begins to produce less lactase. Most children who have lactase deficiency do not experience symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood.

Who is at risk?
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that is more likely to occur in adulthood, with a higher incidence in older adults. Some ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans. The condition is least common among Americans of northern European descent.

How is it managed?
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can be managed with dietary changes. Most with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet. Gradually introducing small amounts of milk or milk products may help some people adapt with fewer symptoms. Often, people can better tolerate milk with meals.

What products contain lactose?
Milk and milk products are often added to processed foods—foods that have been altered to prolong their shelf life. Checking the ingredients on food labels is helpful in finding possible sources of lactose in food products. Lactose is used in some prescription medicines and over-the-counter products to treat stomach acid and gas.
For more information on this topic, contact your local LSU AgCenter Extension office.
Information provided by: Jennifer Duhon, MS, RD, LDN, Area Nutrition Agent, St. Landry Parish LSU AgCenter