A major global study has revealed concerning trends about the rise of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases in regions with low milk consumption. The research, published in The Journal of Dairy Science, sheds light on the relationship between milk intake and the increasing burden of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. This study highlights the importance of understanding the role of milk in reducing cancer risks and why a balanced milk intake might be more crucial than previously recognized.
Milk’s Role in Preventing Chronic Diseases
Milk is widely recognized for its nutritional value, being rich in calcium, vitamin D, protein, and phosphorus. These nutrients play a key role in supporting bone health, immunity, and overall well-being. Previous research has shown that adequate milk intake is linked to a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), osteoporosis, and some cancers. However, excessive milk consumption may have negative effects, such as promoting inflammation and oxidative stress.
In this recent study, researchers explored the impact of a diet low in milk and its connection to the rising burden of certain cancers, including prostate and colorectal cancer. The study used data from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2021, covering 204 countries and territories to estimate deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021 due to low milk consumption.
Understanding the Study Methodology
The research team evaluated the disease burden attributed to low milk diets by analyzing age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and age-standardized DALY rates (ASDRs) for prostate and colorectal cancer. The study defined “low milk intake” as consumption below the optimal daily range of 280–340 grams for males and 500–610 grams for females. This definition excluded plant-based milk alternatives, cheese, and fermented milk products.
The study’s primary focus was on the impact of a low-milk diet on colorectal cancer and prostate cancer, with findings revealing a growing burden of colorectal cancer in low-milk-consuming regions.
Key Findings: Rising Colorectal Cancer Rates
Between 1990 and 2021, global colorectal cancer-associated age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) showed a slight decrease, from 2.22 to 1.87 per 100,000 people. Similarly, colorectal cancer disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) decreased from 51.52 to 42.9 per 100,000 people, indicating a general decline in the global CRC burden.
However, the study also found that global deaths due to colorectal cancer attributable to a low-milk diet rose from 81,405 in 1990 to 157,563 in 2021. DALYs also increased during this period, from 2.07 million to 3.7 million. This increase highlights the negative impact of low milk intake on colorectal cancer risk, especially in females and older populations. The burden of colorectal cancer was highest in Southern Latin America, followed by the Caribbean, while Central Asia had the lowest mortality and disability-adjusted rates.
Interestingly, while women experienced a higher overall burden of colorectal cancer, their ASMRs and ASDRs declined more rapidly than those of men. The study projected that by 2050, the burden of colorectal cancer will continue to decrease, particularly among women, although males are expected to continue facing higher age-standardized rates.
Prostate Cancer and Regional Variations
In contrast to colorectal cancer, prostate cancer mortality and DALYs showed slower changes. The global prostate cancer mortality rate and DALYs remained relatively stable between 1990 and 2021. However, the study found that regions such as Western Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest rates of prostate cancer, while East Asia recorded the highest number of prostate cancer deaths and DALYs in 2021.
The research indicated that cancer burden trends varied depending on the development level of a country. Nations with higher Human Development Index (HDI) scores generally saw sharper declines in colorectal cancer burden, while prostate cancer exhibited a U-shaped trend, suggesting that the burden was higher in countries with both low and high development scores, but lower in middle-income nations.
The Socioeconomic Context: Development and Diet
The study’s findings emphasize the socioeconomic and cultural context in which cancer burden trends occur. The global relationship between national development and cancer burden for colorectal cancer appeared S-shaped, indicating that countries in the middle-income range experienced the greatest reduction in colorectal cancer. In contrast, prostate cancer burden showed a U-shaped curve, indicating varied trends depending on the country’s development level.
As nations with lower HDI scores often have limited access to milk and dairy products, these regions are at higher risk for colorectal cancer. In contrast, developed countries, where milk consumption is typically higher, have seen a more substantial reduction in CRC rates.
Implications for Public Health
The study’s findings underscore the need for public health policies aimed at improving milk intake in regions with low consumption. With increasing evidence linking low milk intake to the rise in colorectal cancer, encouraging optimal milk consumption, particularly in developing countries, could significantly reduce cancer risks and improve public health outcomes.
The study also calls for continued research into the optimal amount of milk needed for cancer prevention and highlights the importance of dietary guidelines that consider both the quantity and quality of milk consumption.
Conclusion: A Growing Health Concern
As colorectal cancer continues to rise in regions with low milk consumption, the study makes it clear that adequate milk intake may play a crucial role in reducing the risk of this deadly disease. By understanding the link between diet and cancer, particularly in low-milk-consuming regions, public health initiatives can be developed to combat this growing global health challenge.
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