Sharon Gerdes
Sharon Gerdes is a certified food scientist and author who writes extensively about dairy’s role in health and wellness. Learn more at http://sharongerdes.com.

Hormonal changes associated with aging result in slower metabolism, loss of muscle mass, a propensity for weight gain, cognitive decline, and increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Age-related changes in physiology and metabolism also increase the risk of deficiencies for specific nutrients, including protein, calcium, potassium, and vitamins D and B12. Consuming three servings of dairy foods a day provides a natural, tasty, and highly bioavailable source of many nutrients often lacking in senior nutrition.

Dairy nutrient contributions

Dairy Foods: “We see emerging research showing the benefits of dairy foods for healthy aging, not only to prevent falls and fractures, but also for optimal cognitive functioning,” said Amy DeLisio, MPH, RDN, CEO of the Dairy Council of California. 

Older adults are at greater risk for health conditions related to bone and muscle mass loss, including osteoporosis and sarcopenia. A study, (“Effect of dietary sources of calcium and protein on hip fractures and falls in older adults in residential care...”) published in The British Medical Journal and supported by Dairy Council of California shows an increase in consumption of dairy foods such as cheese, milk and yogurt can help reduce the likelihood of fractures among older populations.

 The study found that nursing home residents who increased their intake of cheese, milk, and yogurt from an average of two servings per day to 3.5 servings per day demonstrated a 33% reduction in fractures after just six months, as well as a 46% reduction in hip fractures and an 11% reduction in falls. 

Additionally, newly published research (“Association between dairy intake and risk of incident dementia…”) investigated the association between dairy intake and risk of incident dementia in older adults and found that daily yogurt consumers had a reduced risk and that yogurt intake might be inversely associated with dementia risk.

Calcium: Dairy foods provide 54% of bone-building calcium in the diets of Americans over the age of two years. One cup of milk provides 25% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium, and is a good or excellent source of 12 other essential nutrients.

Protein: The 2020 study, (“Protein Intake and Functional Integrity in Aging: The Framingham Heart Study Offspring”), found that higher protein intake was associated with maintenance of physical function in middle-aged U.S. adults, especially in women. Study participants who consumed 92 grams of protein per day had lower risk of functional integrity than participants who consumed 64 grams of daily protein, the study found.

Vitamin D: Maintaining adequate muscle mass is crucial to preventing falls and fractures in seniors around the globe. A 2021 study from Thailand, (“Factors Associated with Unintentional Weight Loss Among Older Adults …”) found that three common causes of unintentional weight loss were reduced appetite (10.1%), dementia, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (13.7%), and medications (11.0%). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with unintentional weight loss. One cup of fortified milk provides roughly 25% of the DV for vitamin D.

Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 helps maintain a healthy immune, blood, and nervous system function, and this vitamin is often lacking in vegan diets. One cup of whole milk supplies 46% of the DV for vitamin B12 and cheese is also a rich source of vitamin B12.

Specialty ingredients

Lactoferrin: Milk Specialties Global (MSG), in its “Nutrition News,” recently highlighted the benefits of lactoferrin for healthy aging. “Lactoferrin consumption … is associated with several benefits for human health, including … control of glucose and fat metabolism, reduction of systemic inflammation, and regulation of iron absorption and balance.” Lactoferrin is also recommended as a long-term prophylaxis in the therapy for metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance/type II diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.” (Ianiro et al. Int J Mol Sci.).

Patented ingredients: Pep2Dia, a patented milk protein hydrolysate from Ingredia, hydrolyses polysaccharide into glucose, enabling blood sugar levels to be regulated. Taken before a meal, this ingredient significantly reduced postprandial blood sugar levels in prediabetic individuals.

International opportunities: “China is by far the largest market for dairy products targeting healthy aging, whether that’s for middle-aged or senior consumers, but we’re also seeing launches in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Singapore. The whole of the region has a lot of potential due to economic growth and demographic changes, but also because the region’s consumers have a long tradition of consuming enriched milk powders,” said Christian Fiil Nielsen, portfolio manager, advanced nutrition manufacturing, Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S.

“The majority of products that are currently available are powdered variants sold in large metal cans, but we also see potential in two new areas, stand-up pouches or bag-in-box packaging, and premium options like single-serving sachets that can stand out on the shelf,” Nielsen explained. In addition to their naturally occurring protein, vitamins, and minerals, dairy foods and milk powders are an ideal delivery vehicle for a wide range of ingredient that promote healthy aging including probiotics, and various micronutrients essential for the proper functioning of the body, brain, and immune system.