Check out this answer from Consensus:
The current body of evidence suggests that milk and dairy products can be beneficial for bone health, particularly in increasing BMD and BMC and reducing fracture risk in certain populations. However, the impact may vary based on age, ethnicity, and baseline calcium intake. More research is needed to fully understand the role of dairy in bone health across different demographics. For now, incorporating dairy products as part of a balanced diet appears to be a reasonable approach to support bone health.
The role of milk and dairy products in bone health has been a topic of considerable debate. While some studies suggest that dairy consumption is beneficial for bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), others raise concerns about potential adverse effects. This article aims to explore the scientific evidence on whether milk and dairy products are beneficial or detrimental to bone health.
The Benefits of Dairy for Bone Health
Several studies have highlighted the positive impact of dairy products on bone health. Dairy products are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and protein, which are crucial for bone development and maintenance.
Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content
Research indicates that dairy products can improve BMD and BMC, particularly in populations with low baseline calcium intake. For instance, a review found that plain or fortified dairy products increased total body BMC by 45-50 grams over one year in Caucasian and Chinese girls with a daily calcium intake below 750 mg1. Another study reported that milk supplementation resulted in a small but significant increase in BMD at the hip and lumbar spine in adults5.
Fracture Risk Reduction
In adult Caucasian women, daily intake of 200-250 ml of milk was associated with a reduction in fracture risk by 5% or higher1. Additionally, a systematic review assigned a “B” grade or “moderate” evidence for the effect of dairy on bone health in middle-aged to older adults, suggesting that dairy consumption may be associated with fewer fractures in this age group2.
Controversies and Mixed Evidence
Despite the benefits, some studies have raised questions about the efficacy of dairy products in promoting bone health. A systematic review found that 53% of the outcomes of dairy consumption on bone health were not significant, and 5% were unfavorable4. Another study concluded that neither increased consumption of dairy products nor total dietary calcium showed consistent benefits for bone health in children and young adults7.
Ethnic and Age Variations
The impact of dairy on bone health may vary across different ethnic groups and age categories. Most studies have focused on Caucasian and Chinese populations, with limited research on other ethnicities1 2. Additionally, the evidence for the effect of dairy on bone health in infants, toddlers, and young adults is insufficient, while moderate evidence exists for middle-aged to older adults2.
Potential Adverse Effects
Some concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of dairy products on bone health. For example, milk contains D-galactose, which might have unfavorable effects on bone health5. However, the overall evidence suggests that the benefits of dairy products, particularly when fortified with vitamin D, outweigh the potential risks.
Is milk and dairy bad for your bones?
Kasper Hettinga has answered Extremely Unlikely
An expert from Wageningen University and Research Centre in Food Science, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Immunology
As mentioned by other as well, milk contains all the nutrients that are required for healthy bone development. Especially in the life phase leading up to peak bone mass (say 0-30 years old), there is ample evidence of benefit of dairy.
Some epidemiological studies do not show the expected relations between dairy consumption and bone health. This could be because some studies focus on calcium only, whereas milk provide more bone health-related nutrients. It could also be related to not including an important variable next to nutrition for bone health: exercise. In the end, bones only develop well and stay well if the right nutrition is combined with sufficient exercise.
I wrote a more extensive blog post on this same topic, for those interesting in more details: https://dairyscienceblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/06/do-we-need-to-drink-milk-for-healthy-bones/
Is milk and dairy bad for your bones?
Kun Zhu has answered Extremely Unlikely
An expert from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Health, Osteology
Dairy foods are a good source of calcium and a range of nutrients important for bone health, including protein, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Most observational studies and randomized controlled trials have shown that higher dairy intake is associated with increased bone mineral accretion during childhood and adolescence, and reduced rate of bone loss and reduced risk for fracture in older adults.
Is milk and dairy bad for your bones?
Hassan Vatanparast has answered Unlikely
An expert from University of Saskatchewan in Epidemiology, Nutrition
Milk is neutral in terms of Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL). In north America, along with other nutrients, over 90% of dietary calcium comes from milk products and calcium is the most abundant nutrient in bone. Also with the mandatory and voluntary vitamin D fortification policies for milk, if we remove milk from the food basket of families, there will be no single food that has necessary nutrients for bone including Calcium, vitamin D, protein, potassium, magnesium etc.
Is milk and dairy bad for your bones?
Wafa Halasa has answered Unlikely
An expert from Ministry of Health of Jordan in Medicine
This is not right. The original article also came to the same conclusion.