Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture - The American Dairy Science Association Sets January 20 - 23, 2002 in Pacific Grove, California as the dates for its rescheduled Discover Conference - The theme of the conference is "Milk, Dairy Ingredients and Dairy Foods for the New Decade" - In announcing the Conference, ADSA said: "Recent advances in our knowledge of the nutritional and functional performance of milk and milk components as ingredients in food and as part of a healthy diet have sparked renewed interest in the science and technology of milk. We may have only touched the surface of the true value of milk and its components. The food industry continues to demand functional milk components for more specific performance characteristics in a wide array of products. This DISCOVER Conference is designed to address the key questions facing the dairy industry about how science and technology will impact milk and milk components in the next decade ..."
http://www.adsa.org/discover

RESEARCH:

Milk basic protein promotes bone formation and suppresses bone resorption in healthy adult men - Toba Y, Takada Y, Matsuoka Y, Morita Y, Motouri M, Hirai T, Suguri T, Aoe S, Kawakami H, Kumegawa M, Takeuchi A, Itabashi A., Technology and Research Institute, Snow Brand Milk Products Co. Ltd., Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2001 Jun;65(6):1353-7.
Milk contains several components effective for bone health. In the previous in vitro and in vivo studies, we have shown that milk whey protein, especially its basic protein fraction (milk basic protein [MBP]), promoted bone formation and suppressed bone resorption. This present study examines the effect of MBP on the biochemical markers of bone metabolism in healthy adult men. Experimental beverages containing MBP (300 mg of MBP a day) were given to 30 normal healthy adult men for 16 days. The serum osteocalcin concentration had increased significantly after 16 days of ingesting the experimental beverage containing MBP. Urinary cross-linked N-teleopeptides of type-I collagen (NTx) excretion had decreased significantly after 16 days of ingesting MBP. The urinary NTx excretion was related to the serum osteocalcin concentration after 16 days of ingestion. These results suggest that MBP promoted bone formation and suppressed bone resorption, while maintaining the balance of bone remodeling.
Controlled trial of the effects of milk basic protein (MBP) supplementation on bone metabolism in healthy adult women - Aoe S, Toba Y, Yamamura J, Kawakami H, Yahiro M, Kumegawa M, Itabashi A, Takada Y., Product Planning Department, Snow Brand Milk Products Co. Ltd., Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2001 Apr;65(4):913-8.
Milk has more beneficial effects on bone health compared to other food sources. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies showed that milk whey protein, especially its basic protein fraction, contains several components capable of both promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption. However, the effects of milk basic protein (MBP) on bone metabolism of humans are not known. The object of this study was to examine the effects of MBP on bone metabolism of healthy adult women. Thirty-three normal healthy women were randomly assigned to treatment with either placebo or MBP (40 mg per day) for six months. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the left calcaneus of each subject was measured at the beginning of the study and after six months of treatment, by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum and urine indices of bone metabolism were measured at the base line, three-month intervals, and the end of the study. Daily intake of nutrients was monitored by a three-day food record made at three and six months. The mean (+/- SD) rate of left calcaneus BMD gain of women in the MBP group (3.42 +/- 2.05%) was significantly higher than that of women in the placebo group (2.01 +/- 1.75%, P = 0.042). As compared with the placebo group, urinary cross-linked N-teleopeptides of type-I collagen/creatinine and deoxypyridinoline/creatinine were significantly decreased in the MBP group (p < 0.05), while no significant differences between the two groups were observed in serum osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase concentrations. A daily MBP supplementation of 40 mg in healthy adult women can significantly increase their BMD independent of dietary intake of minerals and vitamins. This increase in BMD might be primarily mediated through inhibition of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption by the MBP supplementation.

Research Projects Funded by CDRF -
http://www.cdrf.org/research/

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Immune System Stimulation -
There is inadequate knowledge about the effect of bovine milk or its components on the human immune system, although immunocompetent cells of humans have receptors for milk proteins and peptides.
http://www.healthywhey.org/inside/immune.htm
Dairy on the Label Gets It on the Table -
"Finally -- perception is reality", said Bill Haines, vice president of business to business marketing for Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). "Dairy ingredients and dairy products are good for consumers."
http://209.39.167.6/pressroom\dairyonlabel.htm

Dairy Ingredients' Nutraceutical Qualities Perform in Multiply Ways -
Probiotic, Antioxidant, and Functional Characteristics found in Dairy Ingredients.
http://209.39.167.6/pressroom\nutrapress.htm

BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS OF WHEY AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH - Sharon K. Gerdes, S K Gerdes Consulting, Dr. W. James Harper, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Dr. G. Miller, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Nutrition and Scientific Affairs
National Dairy Council.
A growing body of scientific evidence reveals that U.S. whey contains various bioactive components that may have a positive effect on cardiovascular health. Certain bioactive peptides may protect against hypertension through angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and opioid-like activity. Bioactive whey peptides may also be involved in inhibiting platelet aggregation and lowering cholesterol levels. Other whey components such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, B-vitamins, and certain lipid fractions may also help reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular disease.
http://www.usdec.org/pdffiles/manuals/11CARDIOVASCULAR.pdf

U.S. WHEY PRODUCTS AND SPORTS NUTRITION - Dr. G. Pasin, Ph.D., Pasin Group, University of California-Davis, California, USA and Dr. S. L. Miller, Ph.D, National Dairy Council, Illinois, USA.
Recently U.S. whey products have become very popular ingredients in sports nutrition.
The past decade has seen increasing popular interest in healthy lifestyles based on regular exercise. This increase in the number of muscle and fitness enthusiasts has prompted a growing consumer demand for protein sports beverages, specialized nutritional drinks, nutritional snack bars and other products designed to optimize athletic performance.
A growing body of scientific evidence indicates whey proteins deliver important physiological benefits for consumers seeking superior physical performance and recovery.
http://www.asdec.org/pdffiles/manuals/9SportsNut.pdf

Nutrition-Rich Dairy Ingredients Power Up Food Fortification -
Consumers expect more than ever before from the foods they select as part of their daily diets. Food manufacturers are continually challenged for consumers demand for great taste combined with nutritional benefits.
http://209.39.167.6/pressroom\ift_2001_prodappl.htm

Our Greatest Opportunity and Our Greatest Threat Lie Within - Joseph O'Donnell.
In past columns I have raised the notion that the single purpose of milk is to nourish mammals. It is a message I have often repeated, and it also is the mantra of prominent University of California scientist Dr. Bruce German. German presented this concept at the meeting of the International Food Technologists (IFT) in June.
German's discussion of the topic was spellbinding. The ability to understand the full potential of milk in delivering health benefits has never been greater than today, and still there is much activity in this area of research as we learn more and more.
http://www.cdrf.org/newsletter/dbwin01/dbeat3.htm

Milk: Nature's Functional Food - Joe O'Donnel, California Dairy Research Foundation.
Milk is much more than calories, vitamins and minerals. Milk not only contains most of the essential nutrients, but a host of physiologically functional components - nutrients not officially classified as essential, but important in preventing disease nonetheless.
http://www.cdrf.org/newsletter/dbsum97/dbeat4.htm

Ditching dairy when dieting doesn't pay - Helen Bishop MacDonald
Sometimes it seems the Battle of the Bulge is being waged here in Canada, where three out of ten adults and one quarter of children are overweight, and more than one in ten is obese. But, recent research shows that milk products could prove a powerful weapon! Who knew?
It appears that while low calcium diets increase the body's efficiency at storing calories as fat, higher calcium diets increase the body's efficiency at burning calories.
http://www.dairyfarmers.org/engl/health/2_0.asp

Milk makes you fat: animal rights activists
Some parents are upset over a campaign by animal rights activists to persuade children from drinking milk. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has launched a Canada-wide anti-dairy program by handing out leaflets near schools. They tell the children that diary products are bad for their health and cows are abused.
http://www.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2001/
10/31/Consumers/milkchildren_011031