Do dairy products improve bone density in adolescent girls?

Abstract

Previous studied have shown that when calcium is supplemented in adolescents who normally consume less than 1000 mg calcium, bone mineral accretion improves between 1 and 5%. This increment in bone accretion is improved up to 10% when dairy products are used as a source of supplemental calcium in adolescent girls. Because the addition of dairy foods is a simple, inexpensive intervention that carries no risk and because it substantially increases bone accretion with potential long-term benefits, adolescents should be encouraged to include dairy products in their diet.