22 Oct Vitamin D Levels Lower In Children Who Drink Non-Cow’s Milk

MedicalResearch.com: Interview with:
Jonathon Maguire MD MSc FRCPC
Pediatrician and Scientist  Department of Pediatrics
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute
St. Michael’s Hospital University of Toronto

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Maguire: One of the main health benefits of cow’s milk is vitamin D.  We were interested to know if non-cow’s milk supports children’s vitamin D blood levels as well as cow’s milk.

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

Dr. Maguire: It appears that children drinking non-cow’s milk have lower vitamin D levels than children drinking cow’s milk.

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

Dr. Maguire: Identify strategies for children who consume non-cow’s milk to have the same vitamin D levels as children who consume cow’s milk.

Citation:

Consumption of non–cow’s milk beverages and serum vitamin D levels in early childhood
Grace J. Lee, Catherine S. Birken, Patricia C. Parkin, Gerald Lebovic ,Yang Chen, Mary R. L’Abbé, Jonathon L. Maguire, and for the TARGet Kids! Collaboration
CMAJ cmaj.140555; published ahead of print October 20, 2014, doi:10.1503/cmaj.140555

Last Updated on October 22, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD