Dairy Intake Research Articles

The Dairy and Cancer Controversy: Milking the Evidence.

Cancer risk reduction remains a significant concern for both individuals with a cancer diagnosis and those aiming to prevent it. Dairy products, a source of beneficial dietary nutrients, have sparked controversy regarding their impact on cancer risk. Evidence indicates that dairy consumption, particularly milk, can decrease colorectal cancer risk. However, cow's milk, a key dairy product, exposes individuals to growth hormones, notably insulin-like growth factor-1, potentially elevating cancer risk. Extensive research supports the link between dairy intake and heightened prostate cancer risk. Nonetheless, investigations into dairy's association with breast, ovarian, and other cancers yield mixed results. The overall data on dairy and cancer remains inconclusive. Available data suggests that a diet emphasizing fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, while restricting milk and dairy intake-similar to the Mediterranean dietary pattern-might mitigate cancer incidence. However, further research is crucial to elucidate the precise role of dairy products in overall cancer risk.

Dietary insulin index, dietary insulin load and dietary patterns and the risk of metabolic syndrome in Hoveyzeh Cohort Study

Postprandial insulin secretion has been associated with metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to explore the relationship between dietary insulin indices and dietary pattern with the risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The participants of the present cross-sectional study were included among the individuals who participated in the Hoveyzeh Cohort Study (HCS). A total of 3905 Iranian adults, aged 35–70 years, are included in the current analysis. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) is used to calculate the dietary Insulin Index (DII), Insulin Load (DIL), and dietary pattern. Dietary pattern was derived using Reduced-Rank Regression (RRR) based on intake of protein (g/day), fiber (g/day), fat (g/day), magnesium (mg/day), and dietary insulin index were considered as response variables. The Generalized Linear Model was used to obtain the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for MetS based on gender, while considering quartiles of DIL, DII scores, and dietary pattern, adjusted for potential confounders. The mean ± SD of age and BMI of the participants in the top quartile of DIL were 45.72 ± 8.05 years and 28.25 ± 5.02 kg/m2, respectively. The mean ± SD of DII was 40.53 ± 4.06 and the mean ± SD of DIL was 117,986.1 ± 30,714.06. A significant positive association was observed between DIL and MetS in women after adjusting for confounding factors (OR: 1.51; 95% CI 1.16; 1.96). No significant association was seen between DIL, DII, and MetS among men. A derived dietary pattern characterized by high intakes of fruits, sugar, sweet deserts, Whole Grains, and dairy was associated with an increased risk of MetS in adjusted model2 among women (OR: 1.41; 95% CI 1.13; 1.75) and men in the same model (OR: 2.09; 95% CI 1.35; 3.21).However, the final model was significant just for men (OR: 2.08; 95% CI 1.35; 3.21) and not for women (OR: 1.24; 95% CI 0.96; 1.60). Our findings showed that adherence to a diet with a high insulin load can increase the risk of MetS in women. In addition, a derived dietary pattern by RRR indicated that a diet rich in fruits, sugar, sweet deserts, whole Grains, and dairy is related to increased risk of MetS in both men and women.

Dietary behaviors of rural residents in northeastern China: implications for designing intervention information and targeting high-risk population.

Dietary behavior is a pivotal modifiable determinant in reducing the occurrence of obesity/overweight and chronic non-communicable diseases. Improving the dietary behavior of rural residents in China is imminent due to the poor performance of their dietary behavior. Nutrition knowledge and health literacy are considered as elements that are linked intimately to healthy dietary behaviors but lack research in the Chinese setting. The study is designed to explore the relationship between nutritional knowledge, health literacy and dietary behaviors and to analyze the performance under different demographic characteristics. A face-to-face survey of 400 rural residents on their nutrition knowledge, functional health literacy and dietary intake of five food categories consisting of 32 items was conducted based on a validated questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, difference test including ANOVA, t-test and non-parametric test, and multivariate linear regression were used for data analysis. The results indicate that declarative nutrition knowledge, individuals' information application capacity, and dietary behaviors, especially the intake of fruits, dairy and beans, and vegetable are not ideal and requires improvement. Male, elder, low-income, unmarried, and low-education populations performed significantly worse and were the high-risk group. Procedural nutrition knowledge, information access capacity, information understanding capacity, and information application capacity have remarkable effects on better dietary behavior. This study provides evidence-based guidance for prioritizing information and populations for healthy dietary interventions.

Relationship between dietary characteristics and heel quantitative ultrasound parameters in postmenopausal women from the OsteoLaus cohort

The role of dietary patterns in the development of osteoporosis is unclear. The heel quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a potential alternative to Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry. Nutrients, foods, dietary patterns and compliance to dietary guidelines were compared between the lowest and the highest tertiles of QUS parameters [Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA), Speed of Sound (SOS), Stiffness Index (SI)], using data from the OsteoLaus cohort. Participants in the highest tertiles of QUS parameters (385 for BUA, 397 for SOS, 386 for SI) were younger, of higher body weight, and had less major osteoporotic fractures. Women in the highest tertiles of SI and BUA consumed more fat (35.1 ± 0.4 vs 33.9 ± 0.4 and 34.9 ± 0.4 vs 33.8 ± 0.4 gr/day for SI and BUA, respectively, p < 0.05), and complied less frequently with dairy intake guidelines [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.70 (0.53–0.92) and 0.72 (0.55–0.95) for SI and BUA, respectively, p < 0.05] than women in the lowest tertile. No differences were found regarding dietary patterns, healthy dietary scores, or compliance to dietary guidelines. Postmenopausal women in the highest QUS tertiles were younger, of higher weight and BMI, consumed more monounsaturated fatty acids and less dairy and calcium than women in the lowest tertiles. No differences were found between QUS tertiles regarding dietary patterns.

The protective association of dairy intake and the adverse impact of iron on gestational diabetes risk.

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a pregnancy-related glucose intolerance with significant implications for maternal and fetal health. Calcium is essential for insulin secretion and metabolism, while iron intake may also impact GDM. This case-control study was conducted to investigate the relationship between calcium and iron intake with the risk of GDM. Methods: GDM was defined as Fasting Blood Sugar>92mg/dL or 75g Oral-Glucose-Tolerance-Test 120-minutes>153mg/dL. A 168-Item food-frequency-questionnaire was used to collect dietary calcium and iron intake from 24-40 weeks of gestation. The impact of total iron, red, processed/unprocessed meat consumption, calcium, and dairy intake on GDM were investigated. Results: A total of 229 GDM and 205 non-GDM women (18-45 years) participated. GDM group had higher pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain, and pre-pregnancy BMI. Across all models, GDM risk significantly increased in the third and fourth quartiles of iron intake. The fourth quartile had an Odds Ratio (OR) of 2.68 (CI 95%, 4.89-1.56; P<0.001) compared to the reference. Heme-iron consumption in the fourth quartiles increased GDM risk. In the second calcium intake model, ORs for the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 0.51 (CI 95%, 0.91-0.25), 0.43 (CI 95%, 0.77-0.24), and 0.35 (CI 95%, 0.63-0.19), respectively (P<0.001 all), reducing GDM risk by 50-65% compared to the first quartile. Dairy consumption in all quartiles of the first and second models was associated with lower GDM risk. Conclusions: Consumption of heme-iron through red and processed meat associated with an increased chance of developing GDM. Dairy intake reduces the chances of developing GDM in pregnant women.

Metabolic effects of milk fatty acids: A literature review.

Milk and dairy products are known to have a significant role in human development and tissue maintenance due to their high nutritional value. With the higher incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases, nutrition and public health authorities have recommended the intake of fat-free or low-fat dairy due to the saturated fatty acid content of whole-fat products and their effect on serum cholesterol levels. However, recent studies have questioned the association between milk fat consumption and cardiometabolic risk. This literature review aims to compile the scientific evidence of the metabolic effects of milk fatty acids in clinical and basic research studies, as well as their relationship with metabolic disorders and gut microbiota composition. Research shows that various milk fatty acids exert effects on metabolic alterations (obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) by modifying glucose homeostasis, inflammation and lipid profile-related factors. Additionally, recent studies have associated the consumption of milk fatty acids with the production of metabolites and the promotion of healthy gut microbiota. From mainly observational studies, evidence suggests that milk and dairy fatty acids are not directly linked to cardiometabolic risk, but further controlled research is necessary to clarify such findings and to assess whether dietary recommendations to choose low-fat dairy foods are necessary for the population for the prevention of obesity and cardiometabolic disease.

Plant-Based Milk Consumption and Growth in Children 1–10 Years of Age

BackgroundThe effects of plant-based milk consumption on the growth of children are unclear. ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the relationship between plant-based milk consumption and BMI in childhood. Secondary objectives were to examine the association with height and whether these relationships are mediated by dairy milk intake and modified by age or the type of plant-based milk consumed. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted in healthy children aged 1–10 y through the TARGet Kids! primary care research network in Toronto, Canada. Linear mixed-effect modeling and logistic generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between plant-based milk consumption (number of 250 mL cups/d) and BMI. A mediation analysis was conducted to examine whether dairy milk intake mediated these relationships. Effect modification by age and type of plant-based milk was explored. ResultsAmong 7195 children (mean age: 3.1 y; 52.3% male), higher plant-based milk consumption was associated with lower BMI (P = 0.0002) and height (P = 0.005). No association was found with BMI categories. Lower dairy milk intake partially mediated these relationships. A child aged 5 y who consumed 3 cups of plant-based milk compared with 3 cups of dairy milk had a lower weight of 0.5 kg and lower height of 0.8 cm. Associations did not change over time and were similar for children who consumed soy milk compared with other plant-based milks. ConclusionsPlant-based milk consumption was associated with lower BMI and height, but both were within the normal range on average. Future longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these associations persist over time.

Effect of high in comparison to low dairy intake intervention on markers of bone and cartilage remodeling and phosphate metabolism in healthy adults with overweight.

In the ageing population, issues with bone and joint health are highly prevalent. Both beneficial and potential risks of dairy products on bone and joint health are reported in epidemiological studies. Furthermore, the phosphorus (P) load from dairy could potentially lead to unfavorable changes in P metabolism. To investigate the effect of dairy intake on markers of bone and joint metabolism and P metabolism in an intervention study with high and low dairy intake. In a post hoc analysis of a randomized cross-over trial with overweight adults, the effect of a standardized high dairy intake [HDI (5-6 dairy portions per day) versus low dairy intake (LDI, ≤ 1 dairy portion/day)] for 6weeks on markers of bone and joint health was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. Markers indicative for cartilage breakdown, including urinary CTX-II, serum COMP and 4-hydroxyproline, and markers indicative for bone remodeling, such as serum CTX-I, PTH, 25(OH)D, osteocalcin, P1NP and FGF23, were investigated using linear mixed models. Furthermore, changes in P metabolism, including the main phosphate-regulating hormone FGF23 were explored. This study was completed by 46 adults (57% female, age 59 ± 4 years, BMI 28 ± 2kg/m2). Following HDI, markers such as urinary CTX-II excretion, COMP, 25(OH)D, PTH and CTX-I were significantly lower after HDI, as compared to LDI. For example, CTX-II excretion was 1688ng/24h at HDI, while it was 2050ng/24h at LDI (p < 0.001). Concurrently, P intake was higher at HDI than at LDI (2090 vs 1313mg/day, p < 0.001). While plasma P levels did not differ (1.03 vs 1.04mmol/L in LDI, p = 0.36), urinary P excretion was higher at HDI than at LDI (31 vs 28mmol/L, p = 0.04). FGF23 levels tended to be higher at HDI than at LDI (76.3 vs. 72.9 RU/mL, p = 0.07). HDI, as compared to LDI, reduced markers that are indicative for joint and bone resorption and bone turnover. No changes in P metabolism were observed. This trial was registered at https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR4899 as NTR4899.

A case-control study of evaluating oral squamous cell carcinoma (scc) risk factors in the Iranian population

Purpose: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the 6th most prevalent cancer worldwide. The global increase in frequency and mortality of oral SCC has been shown. There are few studies about the risk factors for oral SCC in Iran. This study is based on finding a possible relationship between oral SCC and some lifestyle factors in the Iranian population.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Iran Cancer Institute in Tehran. The controls were matched to the cases by age and gender and socio-economic status. A number of 204 individuals (102 cases and 102 controls) were interviewed by using a structured questionnaire to obtain data regarding oral hygiene, dietary factors, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and lifestyle risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Results were analyzed by chi-square and Fisher exact test. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.&#x0D; Results: The mean age of cases at diagnosis was 60.03 years and 52.9% were male. The analysis showed that poor oral hygiene, low intake of fruits and vegetables (P&lt;0.001), low intake of dairy (P=0.029), alcohol consumption (P=0.015), cigarette smoking (P=0.002) in years and pack per year of smoking (P&lt;0.001) are independent risk factors for oral SCC.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study provided strong evidence that poor oral hygiene, poor dietary factors, smoking habits and alcohol consumption play an etiological role for oral SCC in the Iranian population.

Dairy Intake and All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Risk in A Large Japanese Population: A 12-Year Follow-Up of the J-MICC Study.

We examined the association between dairy intake and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality in a cohort of the general population followed up for 12 years across Japan. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 79,715 participants from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study (57.2% women, mean age 54.7 years old). The amount of dairy (milk and yogurt) intake was determined using a validated short-food frequency questionnaire. The hazard ratio for mortality according to sex-specific tertile of dairy intake was calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models with adjustment for potential confounding factors and dietary factors by sex. During the follow-up period (932,738 person-years), 3,723 participants died, including 2,088 cancer and 530 cardiovascular disease deaths. The highest tertile of total dairy intake (versus the lowest tertile) was associated with a 19% lower all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio=0.81, 95% confidence interval: 0.70-0.92; P for trend=0.001) in women. Similarly, we observed inverse associations between milk intake and all-cause and cancer mortality risk in women, yogurt intake and cardiovascular disease risk in women, and yogurt intake and all-cause mortality risk in both sexes. A higher total dairy and milk intakes in women and yogurt intake in both sexes were associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in the general population across Japan during the 12-year follow-up period.

The association between dairy intake in adolescents on inflammation and risk markers of type 2 diabetes during young adulthood: results of the DONALD study.

The aim of this analysis was to investigate whether habitual intake of total dairy (TD) or different dairy types (liquid, solid, fermented, non-fermented, low-fat, high-fat, low-sugar and high-sugar dairy) during adolescence is associated with biomarkers of low-grade inflammation as well as risk factors of type 2 diabetes in young adulthood. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to investigate prospective associations between estimated TD intake as well as intake of different types of dairy and a pro-inflammatory score, based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-18, leptin and adiponectin, and insulin resistance assessed as Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance in an open-cohort study. Dortmund, Germany. Data from participants (n 375) of the DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) study were included, for whom at least two 3-d weighed dietary records during adolescence (median age: 11 years) and one blood sample in young adulthood (>18 years) were available. There was no statistically significant association between TD intake or intake of any dairy type and the pro-inflammatory score (all P > 0·05). TD intake as well as each dairy type intake and insulin resistance also showed no association (all P > 0·05). The habitual intake of dairy or individual types of dairy during adolescence does not seem to have a major impact on low-grade systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in the long term. There was no indication regarding a restriction of dairy intake for healthy children and adolescents in terms of diabetes risk reduction.

Risk Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity Among Females of Reproductive Age Residing in Damak Municipality

The study was intended to assess risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among females residing in Damak municipality. A cross-sectional quantitative study was performed on 202 females of reproductive age (15–49 years) with a structured questionnaire. Measurements like weight, height, and waist and hip circumference were used to determine indicators of overweight and obesity. General obesity was analyzed using the WHO BMI classification, while Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) analyzed abdominal obesity based on International Diabetes Federation – IDF, and WHO criteria, respectively. Microsoft Office 16 and SPSS Statistics version 20 were used to analyze data. The Chi-square test was used to establish an association between the variables under study.&#x0D; The study revealed that 31.7% of respondents were overweight, 8.4% were obese, 63.4% were abdominally obese by WC, and 71.8% by WHR. Here, the mean BMI was 25.36±4.56 kg/m2, and the mean WC was 89.69±12.47 cm, with a mean WHR of 0.91±0.09. Age, marital status, family size, parity, sleeping hours, eating pattern, protein intake, and consumption of dairy, eggs, and whole cereals were significantly associated (p&lt;0.05) with overweight and obesity; while age, marital status, education, occupation, family size, parity, and contraceptive use were common factors associated with abdominal obesity (WC and WHR). However, family history, protein intake, and consumption of wheat and eggs were associated (p&lt;0.05) only with WC. The study showed a high prevalence of increased weight among reproductive-aged females in Damak. Thus, being overweight or obese should be viewed as a critical issue. The population should be made aware of the risk factors of obesity.

Assessing the Impact of Multilevel Comprehensive Programming on SNAP-Ed Participant Behaviors.

To examine differences in dietary, physical activity, and food selection behaviors of Utah SNAP-Ed participants who had varied breadth of engagement with various components of multilevel programming. SNAP-Ed participants received a survey approximately 1 year after participating in nutrition classes. The survey measured diet, physical activity, and food selection behaviors and breadth of engagement with components of SNAP-Ed programming. Components of programming included nutrition education for adults and youth, nudge programs in food pantries and corner stores, farmers' market booths, social marketing campaign materials, and social media platforms. Kruskal-Wallis tests assessed differences in behaviors between varying breadths of program engagement. Among the 124 respondents, certain dietary behaviors improved with increased breadth of program engagement including intake of vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Food selection behaviors including using MyPlate and preparing healthy foods on a budget, also improved with increased engagement. Physical activity was not impacted by additional breadth of exposure. Findings suggest that multilevel comprehensive programming may enhance the impact of SNAP-Ed education for certain behaviors. Additional research is warranted on the impact of SNAP-Ed multilevel programming on targeted behaviors and health outcomes.

The association of the healthy food diversity index with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among the adult population

Dietary diversity index is a useful evaluation index for examining the role of dietary pattern in predicting chronic diseases risk, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). In the present study, we aimed to examine the possible association of dietary diversity using US Healthy Food Diversity(US HFD) index and the NAFLD risk in Iranian adults. A total of 675 individuals (225 patients with NAFLD and 450 controls) aged 20-60 years were recruited for the current case-control study. Data on dietary intakes were determined using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary diversity was calculated using the US HFD index. In patients with NAFLD, an ultrasound scan of the liver was used to detect NAFLD. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios(ORs) and 95% confidence interval(CI) of NAFLD across tertiles of the US HFD index. Mean±SD age of the study population were 38.13±8.85 years. The median (interquartile) score of the US HFD index in patients with NAFLD and healthy subjects was 0.08(0.07-0.09) and 0.09(0.08-0.10), respectively. In the age and sex-adjusted model, the odds of NAFLD were considerably reduced across tertiles of the US HFD index (OR:0.48; 95%CI:0.32-0.72, Ptrend<0.001). Also, in the final model, after adjusting for age, sex, waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, physical activity, marital status, socioeconomic status, and energy intake, the odds of NAFLD were significantly reduced across tertiles US HFD index (OR:0.55; 95%CI:0.31-0.97, Ptrend<0.001). Furthermore, for each SD increase in the US HFD index, the odds of NAFLD are reduced by 23% (OR:0.77;95%CI:0.60-0.97,P-Value<0.001). Our findings revealed that greater adherence to dietary pattern with a high US HFD score, defined by higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, low-fat dairy, seeds, soya products, and plant oils may be related to reducing the odds of NAFLD.

Sociocultural Determinants of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Intake Among Women Experienced 40-days of Postpartum in Indonesia

Food intake among postpartum women is still a concern due to taboo among cultural people. This study aimed to examine the impact of sociocultural factors on Omega-3 fatty acids intake among women who experienced 40-days postpartum. The data used Indonesia Family Life Survey with total sample 11,135 women. The dependent variables are Omega-3 fatty acids intake which derived from the intake of eggs, fish, meat, and dairy by following the Mediterranean Diet Foundation. The result of this study revealed that only 5% out of total respondents who had adequate Omega-3 fatty acids intake. Based on the multivariate analysis above, the most significant predictors of having adequate Omega-3 fatty acids intake are graduated from undergraduate. Other variables that are significantly related are graduated from junior high school, senior high school, vocational, and others, were Catholic, Protestant, Buddha, Konghucu, from Sunda and other ethnic groups. There is a need for post-natal education to improve eating habits after delivery besides having graduated from university.

Ուսանողների սննդային վարքագիծը և սպիտակուցային սննդատեսակների օգտագործումը

Food is a vital and indispensable component of a healthy lifestyle. Consumption of food is a basic necessity for ensuring the full vitality of a person. The aim of our research is to study the eating behaviour and nutrition culture of students, as well as the characteristics and preferences for the consumption of protein products. The research was conducted among students of current undergraduate education system of the Faculty of Food Technologies of ANAU for the 2019-2021 academic years. The survey was conducted using a specially designed "Lifestyle Research Card" before and after completing the "Nutrition" course. Out of 309 students of the faculty, 135 (43,7%) took part in the survey. The nature of nutrition and improvements were examined through initial feedback observations. Observations of manifestations of eating behaviour were carried out according to the following indicators: appetite assessment, frequency and regularity of food intake during the day, casual meals and time of the last meal. The use of nutritional culture elements allowed students to improve the character of nutrition: the rate of improvement in appetite increased by 9,1%, the proportion of students eating 4 times a day increased by 25,2% and the proportion of those eating regularly increased by 31,9%. Significant positive changes were noted in preferences, consumption, as well as in regulating the frequency of intake of protein products, in particular, meat, dairy, fish and vegetables. The proportion of sausage lovers decreased by 18,5%, and 8,1% of students completely excluded them from the main diet. Analysis of the results of two-year observations showed that students not only gained knowledge, but also improved their diet, became more educated, literate in eating, realized the role and importance of nutrition as the main factor affecting health and life.

Dietary Consumption With Vitamin D Status Among Pregnant Women: A Descriptive-Analytic Study.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and diet between pregnant and non-pregnant women who attended a Maternity Teaching Hospital (MTH) in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. A descriptive-analytic (cross-sectional) study was conducted at the MTH in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Data was collectedfrom January to October 2022, including demographics, obstetric information, and dietary data. Vitamin D levels were measured using the Roche Elecsys assay (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States). The non-pregnant group consisted of women who were not pregnant at the time of this study, and the pregnant group had women with second trimester pregnancy at the time of enrollment. The study revealed a significant prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women. In the study, pregnant participants (56.0% aged 30-39) and non-pregnant participants (54.3% aged 20-29) had similar ages (p>0.05). Both groups mostly had overweight individuals, with pregnant participants having a slightly higher mean body mass index (BMI).While vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among pregnant women, the differences were not statistically significant. Notably, higher dairy intake was positively associated with higher vitamin D levels. Urban residency was common in both groups. Dietary habits were mostly similar, except for tea consumption (p<0.05), with non-tea drinkers having higher vitamin D levels. However, dietary patterns did not strongly correlate with vitamin D levels in the non-pregnant group. This study reveals a significant prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, although the differences between pregnant and non-pregnant groups were not statistically significant. The positive association between higher dairy intake and increased vitamin D levels underscores the potential impact of dietary choices on vitamin D status during pregnancy.However, the study also suggests that dietary patterns alone may not strongly correlate with vitamin D levels in non-pregnant women. Overall, this highlights the importance of addressing vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and underscores the need for personalized dietary guidance, taking into account individual preferences and habits to promote better maternal health.

Maternal dietary patterns and placental outcomes among pregnant women in Los Angeles

IntroductionEpidemiological studies have linked prenatal maternal diet to fetal growth, but whether diet affects placental outcomes is poorly understood. MethodsWe collected past month dietary intake from 148 women in mid-pregnancy enrolled at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) antenatal clinics from 2016 to 2019. We employed the food frequency Diet History Questionnaire II and generated the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), the Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P), and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED). We conducted T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mid-pregnancy (1st during 14–17 and 2nd during 19–24 gestational weeks) to evaluate placental volume (cm3) and we measured placenta weight (g) at delivery. We estimated change and 95 % confidence interval (CI) in placental volume and associations of placenta weight with all dietary index scores and diet items using linear regression models. ResultsPlacental volume in mid-pregnancy was associated with an 18.9 cm3 (95 % CI 5.1, 32.8) increase per 100 gestational days in women with a higher HEI-2015 (≥median), with stronger results for placentas of male fetuses. We estimated positive associations between placental volume at the 1st and 2nd MRI and higher intake of vegetables, high-fat fish, dairy, and dietary intake of B vitamins. A higher aMED (≥median) score was associated with a 40.5 g (95 % CI 8.5, 72.5) increase in placenta weight at delivery, which was mainly related to protein intake. DiscussionPlacental growth represented by volume in mid-pregnancy and weight at birth is influenced by the quality and content of the maternal diet.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of total dairy intake and dairy subtypes with body composition in children

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of total dairy intake and dairy subtypes with body composition in children

Lifetime dairy product consumption and breast cancer risk: a prospective cohort study by tumor subtypes

BackgroundPrevious literature on dairy products and risk of breast cancer is inconsistent, and the relationship may depend on the life-period of dietary assessment. ObjectiveWe examined dairy consumption from adolescence through later adulthood and incidence of breast cancer by menopausal status and tumor molecular subtypes in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), a prospective cohort study. MethodsWe analyzed data from 63,847 females in the NHS collected from 1980 to 2018. Average intake of dairy products during adulthood was assessed by validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires throughout follow-up. Participants recalled adolescent dietary intake in 1986. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) relating dairy product consumption to breast cancer risk overall, by menopausal status, and by subtypes. ResultsWe documented 5733 incident cases of invasive breast cancer during 32 y of follow-up (n = 5298 postmenopausal). Lifetime, adolescent, adulthood, and postmenopausal total dairy and milk intakes were not associated with overall breast cancer risk (nonsignificant HRs comparing highest with lowest quintile range = 0.97–1.08), although there was a suggestive positive association between adolescent milk intake and breast cancer risk (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.18). Higher lifetime and premenopausal cheese intakes were associated with modestly lower risks of breast cancer (comparing highest with lowest quintile, HR for lifetime cheese intake: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82, 0.98; HR for premenopausal cheese intake: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.00). Results varied by tumor subtype and some evidence for heterogeneity was observed for an association between premenopausal milk intake and breast cancer (HR for estrogen receptor [ER]-positive: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.99; ER-negative: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.84; P heterogeneity = 0.04). ConclusionsThese findings suggest that overall dairy consumption was not associated with risk of breast cancer. However, heterogeneity was observed for type of dairy food, period of life, and tumor subtypes.