Getting your daily dose of milk and alternatives does more than just keep your bones healthy. Here are the many ways this one food group can benefit your health:

Healthy bones and teeth

Even as an adult, you recycle calcium in and out of your bones daily so that every 10 years your body rebuilds a whole new skeleton!

Weight loss

Research shows that calcium helps people lose weight. It causes fat cells to burn off stored fat and decreases your body's ability to store fat.

Blood pressure

The DASH diet (eating 8-10 servings of vegetables and fruit along with three servings from the milk and alternatives daily) helps lower blood pressure. This diet should be monitored closely by your physician and can be set up for you by a dietitian.

PMS

Research shows that 1200 mg of calcium daily helps ease symptoms of PMS including cramps, water retention, food cravings and mood changes. Got yogurt?

Cancer prevention

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a natural fat found in dairy products that lowers the risk of some types of cancer

Kidney stones

Research shows that a diet high in calcium reduces the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones, if the source of calcium is dairy products. Calcium supplements can actually increase kidney stone risk.

Probiotics

These 'friendly bacteria' found in yogurt may help boost your immune system and prevent some types of cancer.

Menopause

Many women are switching to soy products for the added benefits of phytoestrogens to help alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause.

For individual nutrition appointments call the Health Centre (SU 020) at 403-329-2484. All sessions are $20 for students and University employees.

Diane Britton is the on-campus registered dietitian