29 Oct Does Milk Increase Bone Fractures?

Posted at 13:38h in Author Interviews, BMJ, Orthopedics by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Professor Karl Michaëlsson Professor in Medical Epidemiology, Senior Consultant in Orthopaedic Surgery Uppsala Clinical Research Institute
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Professor Karl Michaëlsson
Professor in Medical Epidemiology, Senior Consultant in Orthopaedic Surgery
Uppsala Clinical Research Institute

Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study?

Prof. Michaëlsson: A high milk intake is recommended for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures but milk is also the major dietary source of galactose intake. The addition of galactose by injection or in the diet is an established animal model of aging by induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. Previous research results regarding the importance of milk intake for the prevention of fractures and the influence on mortality rates are conflicting. High milk intake was in our study associated with higher mortality in one cohort of women and in another cohort of men, and with higher fracture incidence in women. In subsamples of two additional cohorts, one in males and one in females, a positive association was seen between milk intake and both urine 8-iso-PGF2α (a biomarker of oxidative stress) and serum interleukin 6 (a main inflammatory biomarker).


Medical Research: What was most surprising about the results?

Prof. Michaëlsson: Since milk is promoted to prevent fractures and build strong bones, our study results may be seen as surprising.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Prof. Michaëlsson: Our results may question the validity of recommendations to consume high amounts of milk to prevent fragility fractures. The results should, however, be interpreted cautiously given the observational design of our study. The findings merit independent replication before they can be used for dietary recommendations.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Prof. Michaëlsson: Our present investigation should not be evaluated in isolation and its merits should be judged in light of other study findings.

Citation:

Michaëlsson Karl, Wolk Alicja, Langenskiöld Sophie, Basu Samar, Warensjö Lemming Eva, Melhus Håkan et al. Milk intake and risk of mortality and fractures in women and men: cohort studies BMJ 2014; 349:g6015

Last Updated on October 29, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

365