Does Whole Milk Reduce Obesity?

The second research paper that was included in many news articles that talked about the potential benefits of full-fat dairy products was a study from the Women’s Health Study (1); researchers collected dietary data and self-reported weight and height from over 39,000 women. The analysis included only about 18,000 middle-aged and older women who had a normal BMI when the study began. They analyzed the change in body weight over 11 years of follow-up.

All women gained weight over time. Contrary to expectations, those who consumed the highest number of high-fat dairy products gained less weight than those who used low- or no-fat dairy products. Of the 18,000 women with normal BMI in the beginning of the study, just over 8,000 became overweight or obese over the duration of the study.

Is it time to switch back to whole milk and cheese? I’ll give you the bottom line on Saturday.

The next webinar, Taking Back Your Muscle, Part 2: Protein, is on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. If you’ve ever had any questions about protein, amino acids, or creatine, this webinar is for you. I added one more topic that fits with protein and that’s the role of peptides, short chains of amino acids that are a hot topic today. Find out what they are, what do they do, and how much need by joining me Sunday at 1.p.m. Purchase your access to the webinar and/or replay today for $17.95; Insiders and Members get their usual discounts.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: Am J Clin Nutr 2016;103:979–88.