On behalf of the European Milk Forum, which includes the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, Professor David J Armstrong interviewed Dr Sandra Iuliano about her landmark study on the effects on fractures and falls of providing extra dairy foods to older people in residential care.
Dr Iuliano is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne and Professor Armstrong is a Consultant Rheumatologist and Osteoporosis Lead at the WHSCT here in Northern Ireland and Visiting Chair at Ulster University.
Dr Iuliano and colleagues' study, published in the British Medical Journal, incorporated extra dairy foods into existing menus in ways that suited the care home residents and catering staff. For example, introducing cheese as a dessert option or snack, making a sauce with added milk powder or serving a milky pudding or drink. Improving dairy consumption from 2 to 3.5 (Australian) servings a day (equivalent to 3 to 4.5 servings in Northern Ireland) increased the calcium and protein intakes of the residents.
Nutrition and Health Professionals can find out more about the study and the effects on the residents' muscle and bone health, and watch the interview with Dr Iuliano and Professor Armstrong here in the 'Health Professionals' area of the website.