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Sacramento, CA - July 5, 2005 -- Researchers at Purdue University found that, in active women using oral contraceptives, consuming dairy products containing at least 1000 mg per day of calcium prevented hip and spine bone loss associated with oral contraceptive use. It’s estimated that 80% of women have used oral contraceptives, but taking the pill may prevent young women from reaching peak bone mass and increase their risk of osteoporosis later in life. This study was published this week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

In this year-long study, 154 women (aged 18-30 years old) were randomized to one of three diet intervention groups: control (<800mg calcium/day), medium dairy (1000-1100mg calcium/day), high dairy (1200-1300mg calcium/day). In all three diet groups, oral contraceptive users were compared to non-users. Bone mineral density measurements and 3-day food records were collected periodically throughout the year.

At the end of the year, women using oral contraceptives and following the medium or high dairy diet had significantly higher bone mineral density in their hips and spines, compared to the low dairy group. Oral contraceptive users consuming low calcium diets were more susceptible to bone loss than non-users.

"The results of our study suggest it is very important that young women taking oral contraceptives get the recommended level of calcium (1000 mg) in order to optimize the development of bone," said Dorothy Teegarden, Ph.D., associate professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University. The authors note that women using oral contraceptives could reduce their risk of osteoporosis by approximately 3-10 percent over one year by consuming adequate dairy foods.

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Dairy Council of California develops nutrition education programs that are designed to be personally relevant to each user. This customization allows consumers to make decisions considering their unique needs, resulting in healthy food choices and contributing to optimal health. Healthy Eating Made Easier.

Source:
Teegarden D, et al. Dietary calcium intake protects women consuming oral contraceptives from spine and hip bone loss. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2005.

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