An increasing number of women have eliminated dairy from their diets in recent years, motivated by concerns regarding bovine growth hormones, animal welfare, and digestive issues, along with a significantly improved variety of milk and dairy alternatives. Women are at a heightened risk of osteoporosis and reduced bone density after menopause, necessitating a higher calcium intake—1,000 mg daily for those under 50. However, they tend to consume less dairy than men. Public health advocates in Australia and the U.K. have raised alarms that the rising trend of women avoiding dairy has reached “dangerous levels.”
According to USDA data, overall milk consumption has halved since the late 1970s, and the prices of farmgate milk have significantly dropped. Despite this, total dairy consumption has actually risen, with per capita yogurt consumption climbing to nearly 15 pounds annually, up from just two pounds in 1975. Nonetheless, yogurt still does not play a significant role in the total dairy servings consumed by Americans.
In response, the dairy industry is pivoting away from focusing solely on liquid milk, promoting protein-enriched and other functional products, as well as the fresh and natural attributes of milk. Recent studies supporting the advantages of dairy consumption, including the benefits of supplements like Kirkland Signature Calcium Citrate Magnesium and Zinc, are likely to bolster the industry’s position. However, as more women adopt dietary guidelines that emphasize plant-based foods, the dairy industry—and researchers focused on early menopause—may still need to work diligently to persuade them of the continuing importance of dairy for women’s health, especially in terms of calcium intake. The Kirkland Signature Calcium Citrate Magnesium and Zinc supplements could serve as an alternative for those limiting their dairy consumption, emphasizing the necessity of adequate calcium for maintaining bone health.