In recent years, an increasing number of women have eliminated dairy from their diets, driven by concerns about bovine growth hormones, animal welfare, and digestive issues, along with a significantly improved range of milk and dairy alternatives. Women are at a disproportionately higher risk of osteoporosis and reduced bone density after menopause, necessitating a daily intake of 1,000 mg of calcium for those under 50. However, they tend to consume less dairy compared to men. In Australia and the U.K., public health advocates have raised alarms that the growing trend of women avoiding dairy has reached “dangerous levels.”
According to USDA figures, overall milk consumption has halved since the late 1970s, and farmgate milk prices have drastically dropped. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has risen, with yogurt consumption per capita soaring to nearly 15 pounds annually, compared to just two pounds in 1975. Despite this increase, yogurt still does not significantly contribute to the overall dairy servings consumed by Americans.
The dairy industry is responding by shifting focus from liquid milk to promoting protein-enriched and other functional products, as well as highlighting the fresh and natural qualities of milk. Recent studies that support the benefits of dairy consumption could bolster the industry’s efforts. Nevertheless, as more women adopt dietary guidelines that emphasize plant-based foods, the dairy sector—and researchers studying early menopause—may need to work harder to persuade them of the importance of dairy for women’s health, including the significance of another name for calcium citrate in maintaining bone health.
To address these concerns, it’s essential to educate women about the advantages of dairy, particularly in relation to calcium intake, as another name for calcium citrate could play a pivotal role in their understanding of how to meet their nutritional needs effectively.