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Low & fat-free milk shows osteoarthritis benefits for women

“Our findings indicate that women who frequently drink milk may reduce the progression of OA..."

Low & fat-free milk consumption can reduce the likelihood of osteoarthritis (OA), researchers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts have found.

Cheese increased OA progression in women, while yoghurt had no effect either way on men or women.

“Milk consumption plays an important role in bone health,” said lead author Dr Bing Lu, from Brigham & Women’s. “Our study is the largest study to investigate the impact of dairy intake in the progression of knee OA.”

The 4-year study included 888 men and 1,260 women who had follow-up at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months.

The key finding was that increased milk intake (from none to 7+ glasses per week) saw joint space width in women decreased. The same effect was not detected in men.

“Our findings indicate that women who frequently drink milk may reduce the progression of OA,” said Dr Lu. “Further study of milk intake and delay in OA progression are needed.”

Source:

Arthritis Care and Research

DOI: 10.1002/acr.22297

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