Mailbag! Milk's Ugly Secret

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

You’ve got questions…

We’ve got answers!

Bone loss is a serious concern as we age.

So you do what you can — you work out and eat a healthy diet that includes calcium-rich dairy, all in hopes that you’ll have strong bones well into your golden years.

But it turns out eating all that dairy may not be the bone-strengthening secret the mainstream has made it out to be.

Unless you’re taking it with a certain vitamin, that is.

Let’s dive in…

Natalie,

I’ve been eating dairy for years because my doctor tells me it’s good for my bones. But just yesterday, my neighbor told me I have to take vitamin D with dairy or it’s not going to protect my bones as well. My doc has never mentioned this before. Is this true? And if so, isn’t there already vitamin D in milk? Should I be taking more?

Thanks,

Julie L.

Excellent question, Julie. Many folks have questions about the role dairy plays in bone health.

Yes, your neighbor is correct. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones because it helps your body absorb calcium and then directs it to your bones.

You see, many docs recommend milk and dairy products for bone health because they contain calcium, which can help strengthen your bones.

But they forget to tell you that calcium is pretty much useless to your bones if you’re not taking it with vitamin D.

For a new study, researchers looked at four years of the dietary and medical data on folks around age 75.

And what they found was shocking…

Dairy intake had zero effect on bone mineral density over the course of four years in folks not taking a vitamin D supplement. Meaning that no matter how much dairy they ate, it did not strengthen their bones.

On the other hand, folks who took vitamin D supplements with their calcium experienced increased bone mineral density (or stronger bones).

This means drinking milk, even when it’s fortified, won’t be enough to make your bones stronger. You really need to be getting as much vitamin D as possible to make sure the calcium actually makes it to your bones.

The type of vitamin D you should be taking is D3, which is the form naturally found in your body.

And there’s another important vitamin you should know about if you want to get the most out of your dairy — vitamin K2, which can keep calcium from getting into your arteries.

You see, when calcium enters the body, it needs helpers to get to your bones and not your arteries, where it can create dangerous blockages.

And that’s why taking vitamins D3 and K2 with any form of calcium is so important.

Taking this powerful nutrient combo can help keep your arteries clear and your bones strong, which makes it a no-brainer addition to a calcium-rich diet.

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.


Sources

[1] Dairy Plus Vitamin D Needed to Preserve Bone Density in the Old

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

The Surprising Link Between Jaw Tension and Anxiety

Ever catch yourself clenching your jaw when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for an important phone call? Well, it might tell you something important about what’s happening “upstairs.” Turns out, that jaw tension isn’t just annoying—it’s a direct hotline to your anxiety levels. And most of us don’t even realize we’re doing it. I’ve...

Read This

Could Poor Sleep Be Hurting Your Brain?

If you’ve ever woken up groggy, unable to shake the brain fog, or struggling to focus, it might be more than just a bad night’s sleep. Sleep apnea—a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep—affects nearly 936 million people globally. But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. New research shows...

Read This

Mailbag: Inflammation-Fighting Protocol Clears Clogged Arteries

“I’m 70 years young and I would like to know if there is a natural treatment for clean arteries to prevent heart attack and cardiac problems. Thanks for your reply!” -Change of Heart Dear Change, I love how proactive you’re being about your heart health! Nature offers powerful solutions for keeping arteries clear and healthy....

Read This

Why Your Tech Troubles Might SAVE Your Brain

Ever feel like your smartphone is too smart for you? Or maybe you’ve struggled to figure out that new streaming device your kids gave you? Well, take heart. Those technology headaches are saving your brain cells. A groundbreaking new study suggests that spending hours figuring out your gadgets could be your best defense against cognitive...

Read This

Study Reveals the Dark Side of Sleep Meds

I’m sure you know by now that quality sleep is crucial for good health. Poor sleep, on the other hand, is linked to all kinds of health hazards, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. It’s the primary reason people opt to take sleep medications. But what if the pills you’re taking to...

Read This

Ancient Food Eases Modern Digestive Woes

If you turn up your nose at the pungent aroma of sauerkraut, you might want to reconsider. Because that tangy, fermented cabbage could be exactly what your gut needs to fight off inflammation and heal digestive issues. Research reveals that this humble food, enjoyed for centuries across the world, contains potent compounds that could shield...

Read This

One-Third of Dementia Cases Linked to This Treatable Condition

Dementia is on the rise—and the number of cases is expected to double by 2060. Most people focus on common risk factors like diet, exercise, or genetics. But one of the biggest threats to your brain health is something most of us take for granted… Until it starts to fade away. Worse yet, research shows...

Read This

Medications That Don't Mix Well with Coffee

If you’re a regular Living Well Daily Reader (and I certainly hope you are), I probably don’t need to tell you I’m a coffee fan. I regularly share information on coffee’s many health benefits—from boosting metabolism to reducing disease risk. But many don’t realize that cup of Joe can interact with common medications, sometimes reducing...

Read This

Invisible Microplastics Trigger Serious Health Concerns

We often joke about living in a plastic-covered world these days. But the reality is far more concerning than most realize. Tiny plastic particles—or microplastics—have infiltrated nearly every corner of our environment, from the deepest ocean trenches to the air we breathe. And now, alarming research reveals these microscopic menaces aren’t just polluting our planet—they’re...

Read This

Mailbag: Discover What a Naturopathic Doctor Really Does

“What does the “ND” stand for? Is Dr. Olson a Medical Doctor?” —Inquiring Mind Hi Inquiring, Great question! “ND” stands for Naturopathic Doctor. While I’m not an MD or Medical Doctor, I am a licensed healthcare professional with extensive medical training. As an ND, I completed a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school after earning my...

Read This