Lee Peipert wrote:
>
> All doctors recommend taking 1500 mgs of
> calcium if you are past menopause.  Does
> your information mean we should all take in
> ony 1400 or less?  Does it change with age?
> I always read that it did.   Rosalie

Dear Rosalie,

Call their number (1-800-WHY-MILK?) and they'll offer free information
regarding the virtues of calcium in dairy products.  I did just that and
they send me a (very expensive) pad containing calcium info. to
place in my office for my patients...a free handout.  This is how
doctors learn about nutrition.

Call my number (Monday-Friday--1-888-NOT-MILK) and I'll send you some
information containing the truth!

The RDA for calcium was recently raised from 1200 mg per day to 1500 mg
per day.  Does anybody (all those doctors) question why?  I'll tell you
why.  Find the committee members who recommended that change and you'll
find scientists and doctors paid by the National Fluid Milk Processors.
I did just that...this is no government agancy at work...it is a group
at the National Science Foundation, funded by you-know-who.

Breast cancer surgeon and researcher, Robert Kradjian recently wrote:

"Numerous studies have shown that the level of calcium ingestion and
especially calcium supplementation has no effect whatever on the
development of osteoporosis.  The most important such article appeared
recently in the British Journal of Medicine where the long arm of our
dairy industry can't reach.  Another study in the United States actually
showed a worsening in calcium balance in post-menopausal women given
three 8-ounce glasses of cow's milk per day (Am. Journal of Clin.
Nutrition, 1985)."

In 1994 University of Texas researchers published results of an
experiment indicating that supplemental calcium is ineffective in
preventing bone loss.  Within 5 years of the initial onset of menopause,
there is an accelerated rate of loss of bone, particularly from the
spine.

In December of 1994 another study, published in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition, revealed that skeletal size and bone mass are
genetically determined.  Optimal skeletal size is achieved through
adequate calcium intake in an individual's youth.

Science magazine, August 1, 1986, noted "The large body of evidence
indicates no relationship between calcium intake and bone density."

Neal Barnard, MD, founder of Physician's Committee for Responsible
Medicine (PCRM), an organization of 6,000 doctors, announced with Dr.
Spock (before Spock's death):

        1)  Breast feeding is the preferred method of infant feeding.
        2)  Parents should be alerted to the potential risk to their
            children from cow's milk use.
        3)  Cow's milk should not be required or recommended
            in government guidelines.
        4)  Government programs, such as school lunch programs
            should be consistent with these recommendations.

Robert Cohen