The National Medical Association (NMA) is the oldest and largest organization representing physicians of African descent in the United States and the Caribbean. It was founded in 1895 and is recognized as the collective voice of more than 30,00 physicians and the patients they serve. It is every bit the equal of the American Medical Association (AMA), in fact many NMA physicians, if not all, are members of the AMA.

Recently the NMA reported on the role of dairy and dairy nutrients as they affect the diet of African Americans. Below are some of the report’s findings.

• Eighty-six percent of African Americans get just more than half of the daily recommended amount of calcium, and only half consume one or more servings of dairy a day. Of particular concern, 83% of African-American children 2-17 years of age are not getting enough calcium.

• New data show that many who consider themselves to be lactose intolerant may not be (more on this later)

• Based on the evidence in the literature, NMA supports the recommendation that African Americans should get three-to-four servings of low-fat dairy a day along with a balance diet and regular moderate physical activity to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Intriguing isn’t it? Many of us have been lactose intolerant for years and now a study reports that we must increase our calcium intake.

The next article will go into more detail about how we can increase our calcium intake without experiencing nauseating side effects that accompany it.

Stay tuned.

Source: Wooten, W. & Price. Consensus Report of the National Medical Association. The Role of Dairy and Dairy Nutrients in the Diet of African Americans. Journal of the National Medical Associaion. December 2004, Vol. 96, No.12. pp. 13-14.

George T. Rowan, Ph.D. is a professor in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Michigan State University and chairperson of the Ingham Board of Health. He is also state president of AARP.