Most people have major problems of milk as a source of vitamin D
Highlights from New York Times blog on Milk July 2012
By Bittman, author of book: Food Matters
US Department of Agriculture, encouraged by the Dairy lobby, had recommended 2 lbs of milk per day ( four 8 ounce glasses)
We do not consume 2 lbs of anything else per day
- Even the per-capita consumption of soda is only 1 lb per day
Now they have reduced the recommendation to 3 cups = 1.5 lbs per day
But, 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant
- 90% of Asian-Americans
- 75% of African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Jews
- Note: 100 IU of vitamin D in one 8 ounce glass of milk, so 3 glasses per day = a paltry 300 IU
Highlights from NIH
Premature babies sometimes have lactose intolerance.
Approximately 30 million American adults have some amount of lactose intolerance by age 20.
Highlights from Wikipedia
- Most mammals normally become lactose intolerant after weaning, but some human populations have developed
- lactase persistence , in which lactase production continues into adulthood.
It is estimated that 75% of adults worldwide show some decrease in lactase activity during adulthood
It has now been shown that lactase persistence is caused by several independently occurring mutations.
- Hmm! Having problems with lactose is the norm for all animals, tolerance is the mutation in some humans
| Dairy product | Serving size | % Lactose |
| Milk, regular | 250 ml | 4.8% |
| Milk, reduced fat | 250 ml | 5.2% |
| Yogurt, plain, regular | 200 g | 4.5% |
| Yogurt, plain, low-fat | 200 g | 6.0% |
| Ice cream | 50 g | 6.0% |
| Butter | 1 tsp (5.9ml) | 0.5% |
| Cottage cheese | 30 g | 0.3% |
| Cheddar cheese | 30 g | 0.07% |
Calcium bioavailability highlights from LiveStrong
< 5 % spinach, rhubarb and Swiss chard is absorbed, due to oxalates
20% almonds, sesame seeds, sweet potatoes and pinto beans
30 % milk, cheese and yogurt {Note: probably varies with vitamin D fortification and fat content}
50% Brussels sprouts, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower
Speculation by Vitamin D Life
Back when milk was fortified with vitamin D perhaps 85% of Americans could drink milk
Now it appears only about 63% of American can drink milk.
Wonder when alternate foods will be fortified with vitamin D - in the US and around the world?
See also Vitamin D Life
Vitamin D can fortify a variety of food and drinks – even beer – March 2012
Vitamin D history back to Egyptians and fortification - Aug 2011
Suppliers surmounting vitamin D fortification challenges – March 2010
Food fortified by 440 IU increased vitamin D levels by 8 ng – meta-analysis April 2012
Fortification with Vitamin D
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Bread Fortification appears to be far better than milk fortification
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