That's the latest question in the ongoing diabetes debate. It seems counterintuitive to me that anything that unhealthy--all fat and hormones--could have a positive effect on diabetes, but I suppose I don't know everything, so who knows? What do you think?

Anyhow, here's more
information.

A recent study found a correlation between consumption of dairy products and a lowered risk of diabetes: those women who consumed dairy seemed to experience diabetes 21% less than those who consumed no or little dairy products. It seems, though, that it is the calcium having the positive effect, not the dairy itself, and there are far healthier sources of calcium than dairy. (Think leafy greens!) A study is underway that attempts to separate the effects of calcium and Vitamin D from the effects of the 'dairy' on diabetes.

Although a series of recent studies suggests that a high level of dairy foods in the diet may lower the risk of being overweight or developing insulin resistance syndrome, studies that have examined the link between these factors and diabetes risk are sparse, Dr. Simin Liu, from the University of California Los Angeles School of Public Health and colleagues note.

The apparent anti-diabetes effect of a low-fat dairy-packed diet seen in the current study of women mirrors that shown previously in men.

However, Liu and colleagues caution that further studies are needed to confirm their observations "before public health measures to increase dairy consumption can be recommended for prevention of type 2 diabetes."

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