clipped from www.nutralegacy.com

The Evidence

Among the risk factors for osteoporosis has always been reduced calcium consumption. This is why the U. S. government has frequently increased the minimum standards for calcium intake over the years. However, some studies now suggest that at least some of the calcium sources may not be so beneficial after all.

Women in the United States have the highest risk of developing osteoporosis, but women in parts of the world with low milk and calcium intake actually have a much lower chance of developing this problem. In Japan, for example, dairy as part of the diet was almost non-existent until recently. And only now are the rates of osteoporosis among women increasing.

China has shown similar results. In that country, osteoporosis is still very uncommon, even though dairy products are not a part of the diet of most Chinese people.

you should carefully weigh all of the benefits and risks associated with calcium and with milk.