Health myths the truth about dairy
31 Mar 2010

Health myths: the truth about dairy

2 mins to read
Does dairy wreak havoc with your digestive system? Clinical and sports dietician Jonathan Segal has the real story.


Q: What are the major myths surrounding dairy?

Jonathan Segal - A: There are a lot of issues related to the stomach and intestine that people are unsure about it, particularly when it comes to irritable bowel syndrome or stomach bloating. There are various avenues that people try to pursue to correct these conditions, and many think dairy is the culprit. In most cases I just don't believe that is correct.

Q: Why do so many misconceptions exist about dairy?

Jonathan Segal – A: It's misinformation. People get the wrong advice, or they hear anecdotal evidence. People try and remedy A, B or C conditions, and that might include cutting out dairy. Quite often dairy wasn't the problem in the first place.

Q: What's the real story when it comes to dairy and digestion – is it easy for our bodies to process?

Jonathan Segal – A: Most people can handle the breakdown of lactose or the sugar in dairy. There are some people who do have lactase deficiency, but in a lot of cases, you get people almost wanting there to be an issue with dairy. 60 to 70 per cent of those who come and see me with a digestion issue say, ‘Look I think I'm lactose intolerant,' but aren't aware of what symptoms they'd be exhibiting if this were the case.

Q: What are those symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Jonathan Segal – A: You can get abdominal cramps, malabsorption, diarrhoea and bloating, and that can relate back to calcium intake. Marginal calcium intake can also lead to muscle twitching.

Q: In what ways does dairy benefit our bodies and affect our weight?

Jonathan Segal – A: As a calcium source, it's terrific. And as a protein source it's also useful. One of the things about dairy protein is that it does have the ability to help you feel fuller faster, so it can help lower calorie intake.

Q: What are good ways of weaving dairy into your diet?

Jonathan Segal – A: You can't go wrong with variety. If that means that it's milk, cheese, yoghurt or even low-fat custards, they're all good options. But for calcium, things like sardines, green leafy vegetables or Brazil nuts are good sources, too. A cup of spinach for example is likely to cover half your daily calcium requirements. When you follow a philosophy of having variety in your diet, it's more than likely you'll meet all your body's vitamin and mineral needs.



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