Association of low intake of milk and vitamin D during pregnancy with decreased birth weight

Is Milk Really Necessary for a Healthy Pregnancy?

The article about milk and decreased birth weight does not provide any significant clinical insight, but may serve to harm some patients by biasing physicians with its conclusions.

Though the women who restricted milk intake had babies that were about 120 grams lighter, was there any negative clinical result of this? Were any of the newborns underweight, and is there any evidence that they suffered any acute or chronic harm from the lesser weight? Furthermore, have you considered that there is concern about newborns being overweight, and the consequences thereof?

The study has many flaws. Only 54% of the mother restricting milk intake took supplementary vitamins, versus 97% of the mothers who did not restrict milk. Perhaps this alone could cause a significant difference in the health of newborns, nad also influence their weight. Among both groups, is there was no quantification of the amount of dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese.

The table on nutrient intake shows that both groups had good protein and caloric intake. Caloric intake was quite equivalent, whereas protein averaged at 106 g for the milk drinkers, and 95 g for those who restricted milk. Both are adequate protein intakes. Now one must ask, what are the reasons that milk would cause an increased weight in the newborns? Is it a mere 10 grams of protein? And how does one separate the effect of vitamin D from the intake of milk? There was no quantification of vitamin D levels via serum measures, which would be the only way objectively establish the combined intake of vitamin D form both diet and sunlight.

Scientifically, we must then ask, why would maternal increased milk intake affect birth weight of newborns of mothers that were equally nourished. Could it be the lack of vitamin supplements by the restricted group, or were the dietary surveys inaccurate and overestimate the protein and calorie intake of the restricted group? Perhaps it is the hormones that occur in bovine milk, or hormonally active pesticides that bio- accumulate in milk.

Please note that I come from a ethno-religions background of people who are virtually all lacto-vegetarians (people who consume some dairy products but eat no meat, poultry, fish, or eggs). I hear dozens of stories of physicians telling my family and friends that they were hurting their unborn babies, and their children, and themselves, and that they must consume meat. Many were very frightened by the admonishment. Now many of my background are becoming vegan, and are told the same thing. Of Course, a vegetarian or vegan diet that lacks the appropriate macro and micro nutrients will be unhealthy. However, physicians must understand that people will make such choices due to their religion, culture, philosophical beliefs, health, taste preference, digestive tolerance, etc.

Without good reason, this article will serve to bias physicians and perpetuate typical physician perceptions that bovine milk is necessary for human health. As physicians, our jobs should not be to alienate patients, who are becoming vegetarian and vegan I n increasing numbers. Rather, we should be able to take a basic diet history and to see if any diet contains adequate nutrition, and have some basic knowledge of vegetarian and vegan foods that provide protein and vitamin D, such as fortified soy beverage, which also contains B12. The nutrient quantities are equivalent to milk. There are also other such foods, and the knowledge is simple to learn and teach.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared