Dairy Products and Heart Disease Prevention

Q: I recently read that milk is good for your heart. Is that true?

A: The newly revised American Heart Association Dietary Recommendations stress the importance of a healthy overall dietary pattern rather than seeking “super” foods for your heart or any other medical condition. Whole milk and dairy products contain saturated fats and trans fats, so these should be avoided because these fats are strongly associated with the development of heart disease. Instead, choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products.

It is important to remember that scientists are constantly conducting studies on many subjects such as milk. The results are contradictory. That’s why it is important to think about your whole dietary pattern, rather than focusing on a single nutrient. We know that an overall healthy eating plan is strongly associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., is director of nuclear cardiology and associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University. She’s also a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.