Drinking Enough Milk and Arthritis

Milk really could do a woman’s your body ‘good’ may help prevent arthritis.

Recent research has shown drinking low-fat or skim milk could slow the progression of arthritis in the knees. The effects do not seem the same with yoghurt or cheese.

While cow milk has its critics, its role in promoting healthy bone structure has long been established. New research provides additional support for milk, particularly for women at risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee. I'm not certain that milk was the primary reason for the slower arthritis progression and the effect was not seen in men. But the results add to evidence that nutrition may help to stave off arthritis.

The gender differences in the correlation of milk drinking and osteoarthritis progression are not completely understood. The sex differences in the prevalence, incidence and severity of arthritis have been noted for many years. There are some theories as to why.

Previous studies have shown that the thickness of cartilage at the end of the distal femur, or thigh bone, is already smaller in women compared to men. Other evidence also suggests that estrogens from outside sources may protect cartilage and affect the bones.

A chronic degenerative condition, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Seen most frequently in women over age 50, osteoarthritis causes sustained pain and swelling of the joints due to abnormal deterioration of cartilage and bone. In the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 27 million people suffer from osteoarthritis, and the knee is among the joints most commonly affected. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include advanced age, obesity, prior injury or repetitive use from some types of sports.

What about milk is good for us? How does it really improve our health? Experts share the makeup of milk and dive into the details that make this drink a dietary staple for millions of Americans.

According to the National Dairy Council, milk is filled with nine essential nutrients that benefit our health:

• • Calcium: Builds healthy bones and teeth; maintains bone mass
• • Protein: Serves as a source of energy; builds/repairs muscle tissue
• • Potassium: Helps maintain a healthy blood pressure
• • Phosphorus: Helps strengthen bones and generate energy
• • Vitamin D: Helps maintain bones
• • Vitamin B12: Maintains healthy red blood cells and nerve tissue
• • Vitamin A: Maintains the immune system; helps maintain normal vision and skin
• • Riboflavin (B2): Converts food into energy

Niacin: Metabolizes sugars and fatty acids

Among the other surprising benefits from milk:

• • Appetite Suppressant - Believe it or not, milk can work as an appetite suppressant. In a separate study in the AJCN, researchers found that 34 participants consumed lower calories at lunchtime because they felt fuller and more satisfied for longer after drinking milk in the morning.
• • Muscle Growth - As we age, we tend to get saggy skin. That’s because we are losing the muscle mass we had in our youth. A great way to combat the sag is to gain back that muscle thanks to the proteins, whey and casein, which promote muscle growth. Additionally, milk is a leading source of Vitamin D deficiency of the vitamin leads to poor muscle strength and weakness.

The two most common things doctors generally recommend for patients are to maintain a healthy weight and to remain as physically active as possible. But there's also growing evidence that nutritional factors beyond dieting to keep a healthy weight may affect the progression of arthritis.

Variation in hormone levels can have huge effects on how we feel, think, and function. Hormone levels in women begin to drop off as early as age 30 and plummet from there, with a woman’s testosterone levels being the first to fall. Menstruation becomes unpredictable, mood swings occur, signs of PMS develop, hair begins to thin, and weight gain starts to be a stubborn problem.

We recommend starting with the natural approach. Our experience shows the most thorough and lasting way to manage symptoms of hormonal imbalance is to listen to your body and build a strong foundation through lifestyle and nutrition.

Menopause and the symptoms associated with it can severely disrupt your quality of life.

A wonderful natural formula to help you live a longer, healthier life is Women’s Natural Balance (click here to view), a safe, and effective daily supplement that contains many of the top ingredients. This specially blended formula contains all natural substances that include black cohosh, soy isoflavones, red clover, Mexican yams and red raspberry extract.