Traditionally it has been believed that drinking cow's milk builds calcium in the bones. Is this correct?

Question

I have heard that milk does more to strip calcuim from bones than it does to build them up. I wonder what the truth of the matter is.

I heard from another source that calcium is required to digest protein. As milk has lots of protein, more calcium is used than is supplied. Only one answer came close to saying this.

Answer 1

Too much protein will actually strip out calcium. We don't need milk anymore after we are of a certain age.....around 5 or 6. We should be getting calcium elsewhere.....not from some other species milk that is designed for growing cows.

Answer 2

The countries with the highest dairy consumption also have the most osteoporosis. The Inuit have the highest calcium consumption of all at 2000mg/day and have osteoporosis by age 40 (they don't consume dairy, though.) Astronauts have osteoporosis when they do extended time in zero gravity. People need weight bearing exercise and predominantly plant based protein. There was a study done on older women by the dairy folks that measured bone density that you didn't hear about. They asked older women to add three glasses of skim milk a day to their diet. The results were that the additional milk was bad for bone density.

Answer 3

Dear Tricia
I am amazed,,,,whole milk stripping calcium away from our bones? That is nonsense.
Look, it is true that whole milk is richer that modified, non fatty milks in calcium and other nutrients.
However, drinking whole milk, will bring more fat to your stomach, (cows milk contains lots of protein lijke cassein, and non saturated fats).
In actual times, a woman starts lo lose calcium by age 35 onwards,
It is advised to eat lean cheese, (non fat cheese) two portions per day and or cottage cheese.( 2 sounces, at least)= 64,4 grams per day minumum.
If you feel that you are more inclined to "low fat milks", well that is OK.- however your body will need calcium suplement, in order to prevent osteoporosis, I mean, two tablets per day with breakfast of calcium carbonate that makes 1,2 grams (generic name), together with avoiding tobacco,(tobacco and ostheoporosis goes hand with hand in osteoporiosis) and performing daily a high impact exercise, at least for one hour (such as jogging), in order to help your bones to fixate the calcium.
If you feel constipated at the begining with calcium tablets, reduce to one the first 3 weeks and back gain to 2, that will solve the problem
They are absorbd batter with an empty stomach.

Answer 4

It does build calcium. The only way you can strip the calcium is if you overdo it with your calcium intake. Too much calcium intake will strip you of the stuff you have.

Answer 5

It don't build calcium, but it does give your body "supplies" to build.

Answer 6

Carbonation (from pop) can decalcify your bones, but milk has calcium, so it strengthens your bones.

Answer 7

trust the tradition..in this case, its the truth