Busting the myth

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Busting the myth

Tuesday, 21 February 2006

http://www.euroa-gazette.com.au/articles/3372.aspx

An ancient myth dating back to the 12th century linking dairy foods

with mucus-coated throats, clogged noses, annoying coughs and asthma

is not supported by scientific evidence, according to a

comprehensive review in the Journal of the American College of

Nutrition.

More than 2.2 million Australians have asthma. The prevalence in

Australia is relatively high by international standards. Asthma

affects one in four children, one in seven adolescents and one in

ten adults. In a survey of 135 adults with asthma, more than one in

three mistakenly blamed the consumption of dairy foods for asthma

symptoms. Another study found a similar number of Australians

believed the milk-mucus myth.

After analysing the available scientific research on the topic, the

authors concluded that milk intake was not associated with nose

symptoms, cough or congestion.

In one study, people drank either flavoured milk or a milk-free

drink disguised to look and taste like flavoured milk.

Interestingly, people who believed the milk-mucus myth tended to

report more symptoms than non-believers. However, there was no

difference in symptoms reported after the milk and the non-milk

drinks - showing milk was not the cause.

The review also concluded that milk does not seem to exacerbate the

symptoms of asthma. Commenting on the review, National Asthma

Council chief executive officer e Whorlow agreed, " It is very

rare for dairy foods to trigger asthma symptoms. "

Dairy Australia dietitian Maree Garside said, " Recent studies

suggest that regular consumption of dairy foods may actually help

protect children against asthma. A study in nearly 3000 pre-school-

aged children found those who consumed regular-fat dairy foods every

day had a significantly lower rate of asthma symptoms.

" This supports the findings from earlier research, that children who

consumed more than three serves of milk every day were two-and-a-

half times less likely to develop asthma than children with the

lowest intake of milk . "

Ms Garside said, " Parents who remove dairy foods from their child's

diet, due to fears that dairy will trigger asthma or produce mucus,

may inadvertently deprive their children of important nutrients such

as protein, calcium, riboflavin and niacin. "

Ms Whorlow said although the cause of asthma was not yet fully

understood, the major triggers for asthma symptoms are house dust

mites, pollens, mould spores, animal hair or fur, tobacco smoke,

viral infections and the common cold.

For more information and interviews contact Maree Garsideon 9694

3837, 0407 322 995 or mgarside@....