The European Milk Forum, which includes the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, together with the Global Dairy Platform and the French Dairy Council, CERIN, hosted a scientific symposium at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Milan, Italy on 25 March 2015.
Over 300 doctors, scientists and researchers attended the event which explored the scientific evidence on the relationship between dairy products and bone health.
Symposium chairman Professor Reginster, who is also Head of Bone Diseases at the University Hospital and Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Liege, Belgium said:
“This conference was an opportunity to make a serious scientific evaluation of the subject of osteoporosis, which is a real public health issue, both from a human and an economic stand
point”.
Professor Olivier Bruyère from the University of Leige, Belgium who gave an update on ‘dairy consumption, prevention of osteoporosis and fractures’ added:
“Dairy products are important for bone health because they are rich in essential nutrients including calcium and protein. It would be desirable to develop public health strategies to ensure that the recommended calcium intakes are achieved”
Professor Reginster confirmed that dairy foods are a good way to do this:
“We must always prioritise food, and dairy products
are among the best sources of calcium” he said.
The speakers and topics were:
Dr Tanis Fenton, University of Calgary, Canada - Dairy products and acid–base balance: hypothesis versus scientific evidence
Prof Olivier Bruyere, University of Leige, Belgium - Dairy consumption, prevention of osteoporosis and fractures: an update
Dr Jean–Jacques Body, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium - Dairy products: facts and fiction
Nutrition and Health Professionals can read about the latest bone health science here.
Find out more about the nutrients in milk and dairy foods.