Whole Milk Gets Another Chance

A 16-year study suggests full-fat dairy might not be so bad for heart health after all.

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By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editorial Director Today is the day research suggests it might be healthy to swap out the skim milk in your coffee for full-fledged cream. Sort of. Keep reading. Today's Top Story Full-Fat Dairy May Actually Be Healthy for Your Heart A 16-year study suggests full-fat dairy might not be so bad for heart health after all.   Researchers tracked over 4,000 Swedish adults, monitoring the fatty acid levels in their blood associated with dairy foods. Their findings show that the more fatty acids participants had in their blood or fat tissue, the lower their risk of heart attack or stroke. This held true even after accounting for lifestyle, demographics, and other factors that might make someone more predisposed to heart disease.   The findings also indicate that dairy type matters more than fat content. Cheese and yogurt might be more protective against cardiovascular disease than milk and butter.   Before you bring out the celebratory Brie, it's important to know that even the study authors don't think they have information yet to warrant any guideline changes. The American Heart Association says healthy adults should consume two to three servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy products per day, rather than full-fat dairy, like whole milk products.   "Diet and health can be complicated to study. And dairy and health might be even more complicated," study co-author Matti Marklund, PhD, tells Verywell. Marklund says heart health is dependent on more than just fat. The researchers have yet to look at how factors like the added sugars in flavored milks or the high sodium in cottage cheese can affect the heart. Know More The study was observational, meaning researchers looked at the effect of dairy without any type of intervention or placebo group. They say that more controlled experiments—called randomized control trials—are needed to see if full-fat dairy truly offers protective benefits against heart disease. Feel Better Yay, cheese! READ MORE This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, know your risk. People with mutated versions of tumor suppressor genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at higher than average risk of developing breast cancer. If breast cancer runs in your family, you may want to consider a blood test to help identify whether or not you carry this genetic mutation. The results can help determine any cancer-prevention strategies you could be taking. Need a Sick Day? Ask Your Smartwatch New research shows smartwatches may be able to detect cold and flu infection before you start showing any symptoms. By analyzing heart rate, skin temperature, movement, and electrical activity on the skin, a smart wristband identified the presence of H1N1 influenza with 92% accuracy, and the presence of rhinovirus (the common cold) with 88% accuracy. Knowing you're sick while you're pre-symptomatic can encourage you to stay home, helping to curb infection rates. READ MORE How Your Race Influences Breast Cancer Treatment Triple-negative breast cancer, BRCA gene mutations, and HR+/HER2- breast cancers are difficult to treat. They're also more common in Black women. What does this mean for treatment? Individualized targeted therapies are key. READ MORE   Do you ever feel like you're keeping something to yourself during a checkup? Ali Rodriguez, MD, also known as The Latina Doc, is encouraging you to speak up. I see a lot of patients who are embarrassed or scared to ask questions about their bodies when I see them in the office. There is no question too embarrassing to ask. I love when patients write down their questions and come prepared for their appointments. Ali Rodriguez, MD Arizona-based OB-GYN   Keep Reading   ■ Photos: Best Signs From the 2021 Chicago Marathon. Chicago Tribune     ■ U.S. Will Accept WHO-Approved COVID-19 Vaccines for International Visitors. Reuters     ■ How This Tattoo Artist Is Helping Breast Cancer Survivors Heal. Health More From Verywell Dealing With High Blood Sugar at Night READ MORE Is Your Psoriasis Hereditary? READ MORE How to Do a Thyroid Neck Check READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.       You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy