According to a new study from European researchers, boosting the amount of dairy food in your diet could improve your bone wellness to the point of a reduced risk of osteoporosis fracture.
Based on data from the Netherlands, France and Sweden, which are countries that have varying levels of dairy products intake in the population, the researchers calculated how many DALYS or disability-adjusted life years were lost due to hip fractures associated with low nutritional calcium intake. They also calculated the number of hip fractures that could potentially be prevented each year by adding dairy products to your diet.
The results were that France won out with 2023 prevented hip fractures, followed by Sweden (455) and the Netherlands (132). Not only does this mean ensuring the wellbeing of each nation’s physical health, but also of their money as this represents a substantial health cost saving of approximately 129 million, 34 million and 6 million Euros in these countries, respectively.
According to study co-author Professor René Rizzoli, who is the Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Bone Disease at the University Hospitals of Geneva, ‘Despite the fact that the effects of foods on health are recognized, there are no accepted and proven methodologies to assess the health-economic impacts of foods on the general population. Although this model may be further refined, it does provide a straightforward and easy-to-use method to assess the health-economic impact of food products on health, well-being and costs.’
Rizzoli even went on to suggest the study underestimated ‘the potential cost savings of increased dietary calcium in that it relies on existing figures for the senior population and does not take into account the long-term benefits to the younger generation’. He concluded ‘Adequate nutritional intake and regular exercise during childhood and adolescence, both necessary for the development of peak bone mass, may contribute to bone strength and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life.’
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