Milk May Help Protect Women with Arthritis

Women who drink more milk may be able to fend off severe osteoarthritis longer, a new study suggests. The study included 1,260 women and almost 900 men with knee arthritis. They answered questions about what they ate. Researchers also X-rayed people’s knees at the start of the study and then each year for 4 years. Osteoarthritis grew worse more slowly in women who drank more low-fat or fat-free milk. But it got worse faster in women who ate more cheese. Eating yogurt had no effect. None of these links were seen in men. The study does not show that drinking milk actually prevented arthritis from getting worse. Researchers said more studies are needed. Experts interviewed by HealthDay News noted that milk contains calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients that have a role in bone health. They noted that estrogen also affects bone health.