Give Kids Dairy 3 Times a Day, Experts Advise

February 7, 2006 08:42:08 PM PST

"The AAP recommends children eat three servings of milk, flavored milk, cheese or yogurt a day," Dr. Frank Greer, chairman of the AAP Committee on Nutrition, said in a prepared statement. Dairy products help build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life, the AAP explained.

Seven out of 10 teenage boys, and nine out of 10 teenage girls in the United States are not getting the calcium they need, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Calcium is important for the development of peak bone mass.

The report also emphasizes physical activity for children and the importance of parents being healthy role models. It also calls on pediatricians to monitor whether their patients are getting enough calcium.

"While there's no cure for osteoporosis, eating 3-4 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods will help children get the calcium they need to build strong bones, which will benefit them throughout life," Greer said.

"We know that children's healthy eating habits are established early in life, and the primary role models are parents," Rebecca Reeves, president of the American Dietetic Association, said in a prepared statement. "Parents can encourage their kids to make healthful food choices by including three servings of low-fat dairy foods in their own diet every day."

More information

The Nemours Foundation has more about children and calcium.

Health Tip: My Dentist Wants Me to Take an Antibiotic

February 7, 2006 08:42:08 PM PST

Brushing and flossing can remove some of this plaque, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. But what remains can harden and form tartar, which brushing probably won't remove.

The longer plaque and tartar are on the teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria can cause the gums to bleed and swell -- a condition called "gingivitis."

If gingivitis is not treated, it can lead to periodontal disease, causing pockets of infection and the gums to pull away from the teeth. This can lead to tooth loss.

An antibiotic gel can ward off the infection and help save your pearly whites.

Health Tip: Women Have Different Heart Attack Symptoms

Almost 50 percent of women who die of a heart attack have no clinical symptoms, according to a U.S. National Institutes of Health study.

Women heart attack victims often are not treated as aggressively as men with the same symptoms and more often die, the agency says.

Some women experience nausea, a cold sweat, or light-headedness when having a heart attack.

Doctors strongly advise that even if you're not sure if it's a heart attack, get checked out immediately.