Madam, - We join Brendan Bradshaw (November 18th) in urging caution to readers considering the advice of Jane Plant, featured in Katie Donovan's article of November 10th ("Is the cow the culprit").
One in three women over 50 suffer from osteoporosis. Unfortunately, following the low protein, dairy-free diet advocated by Jane Plant would only increase the risk of brittle bones. While her theories do not stand up to scientific scrutiny, research has long established the benefits of dairy products for bone health.
The Department of Health recommends three servings of milk, cheese or yoghurt daily. Worryingly, Irish women consume just one-and-a-half servings a day according to the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey. - Yours, etc.,
DR LEÁN O'FLAHERTY, Manager, Nutrition Department, The National Dairy Council, Westland Square, Dublin 2.