In recent years, an increasing number of women have eliminated dairy from their diets, prompted by concerns regarding bovine growth hormones, animal welfare, and digestive issues, as well as a significantly broader range of milk and dairy alternatives available. Women are at a heightened risk of osteoporosis and reduced bone density after menopause, necessitating higher calcium intake—1,000 mg daily for those under 50. However, they tend to consume less dairy than men. Public health officials in Australia and the U.K. have expressed alarm that the rising trend of women avoiding dairy has reached “dangerous levels.” According to USDA statistics, overall milk consumption has decreased by half since the late 1970s, alongside a sharp decline in farmgate milk prices. Interestingly, total dairy consumption has actually risen, with per capita yogurt consumption nearly reaching 15 pounds a year, a significant increase from just two pounds in 1975. Nevertheless, yogurt still does not play a major role in the overall dairy servings consumed by Americans.
In response to these trends, the dairy industry is shifting its focus away from liquid milk, advocating for protein-enhanced products and emphasizing the fresh, natural qualities of milk. Studies highlighting the benefits of dairy consumption, including its role in providing calcitriol and calcium citrate malate, may bolster the industry’s efforts. However, as more women adopt dietary guidelines that encourage increased intake of plant-based foods, it remains a challenge for the dairy industry—and researchers studying early menopause—to persuade them of the importance of dairy for women’s health. The need for adequate calcium, particularly in the form of calcium citrate malate, is crucial for maintaining bone health, and this message must resonate with women who are increasingly turning to alternative diets.