Milk intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and prostate cancer.
Milk intake is widely recommended for a healthy diet. Recent evidences suggest that milk/dairy products are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. On the other hand, high calcium intake has been associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. The calcium and vitamin D content in dairy foods could have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and renin/angiotensin system as well regulates body weight. The association between high dairy/calcium consumption and prostate cancer risk are related to the presence of estrogens and insulin like growth factor (IGF-I) in milk. Based on the current evidence, it is possible that milk/dairy products, when consumed in adequate amounts and mainly with reduced fat content, has a beneficial effect on the prevention of hypertension and diabetes. Its potential role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer is not well supported and requires additional study.
Martini
Ligia Araújo
LA
Departamento de Nutrição, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Imartini@usp.br
Wood
Richard James
RJ
D000818:Animals; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I