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AMERICAN CALCIUM CRISIS

AMERICA IS IN A CALCIUM CRISIS Dairy Supplements Are No Substitute for Milk, Cheese and Yogurt

CABOT, VT (October 13, 2006) – America is in a Calcium Crisis: nine out of 10 women, seven out of 10 men, and three out of four teenagers do not get enough calcium. After the age of 11, no age group achieves even 75% of the calcium it needs. Calcium deficiency is a chronic public health problem that begins early in life. Low calcium intake is one of the most significant nutrient deficiencies identified in the federal government's Healthy People 2010.

When there's not enough calcium in the bloodstream, the body attempts to pull calcium from the bones, which thins and weakens them. This causes osteoporosis, which leads to breaks and fractures. Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans, mostly women. An additional 18 million Americans already have low bone mass, osteopenia, which places them at high risk.

By the age of 20, the average young person has acquired roughly 98% of his/her skeletal mass . Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence is the best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life. Yet, nine out of 10 girls and seven out of 10 boys fail to meet the current calcium recommendations .

According to Cabot Creamery spokesperson Roberta McDonald, “the dairy health message is particularly important for teens and pre-teens. In addition to the epidemic of childhood obesity, America is in a calcium crisis. Children’s bones are like a bank account where they can deposit and save calcium to help them avoid osteoporosis and other problems later in life, yet 75% of children do not get enough calcium in their diet,” McDonald said


Parents, by serving as role models, can shape their children's food and beverage choices and calcium intake to help reduce future risk of osteoporosis. Four to five servings of key dairy products, in addition to other calcium-rich foods such as broccoli, salmon and almonds, will help parents and children meet the American Dietetic Association recommended amounts of calcium intake per day:

AGE and CALCIUM (per day)
1-3 years: 500mg
4-8 years: 800mg
9-18 years: 1,300mg
19-50 years: 1,000mg
51 years and older: 1,200mg

An 8oz. serving of milk, for example, contains 300mg of calcium. Other dairy products are also high in calcium; a 1oz. serving of Cabot Cheddar Cheese – roughly the size of four dice - contains 200mg, an 8oz. serving of yogurt contains 250mg and a 4oz. serving of cottage cheese contains 100mg.

And for those who think a daily regiment of supplements can replace the benefits of dairy foods, research suggests that calcium from dairy has a longer lasting bone health benefit than calcium supplements. Relying on supplements means you're probably skimping on other nutrients that help the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D, for example, helps carry calcium into the bones and increases absorption in the bloodstream - you'll get both from a glass of milk, but not a supplement. Dairy calcium also provides protein, Vitamins A and B12, Riboflavin, Phosphorus, Niacin, and Potassium. In addition, encouraging dairy consumption during childhood and adolescence many help form well balanced eating habits in adulthood.


ABOUT CABOT CHEESE
Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919 and makes a full line of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese and butter. Best known as makers of “The World’s Best Cheddar,” Cabot is owned by the dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast’s premier dairy cooperative. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, visit www.cabotcheese.com.