Consumption of Non-cow's Milk and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Early Childhood

Non cow’s milk includes goat’s milk and plant-based milk beverages. Vitamin D fortification of non-cow’s milk is voluntary in North America. The effect of non-cow’s milk on serum 25-hydrxovytamin D levels is unclear. Through two studies, I aimed to determine the association between non-cow’s milk consumption (both animal and plant based) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels in early childhood. Children ages 1-6 years were recruited through the TARGet Kids! practice based research network between 2008 and 2013. Non-cow’s milk consumption, 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels and clinically relevant covariates were collected. In study 1, I identified a dose dependent association between higher non-cow’s milk consumption and lower 25-hydroxyvitmian D levels. In study 2, I demonstrated that consumption of plant-based milk beverages was associated with lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D; the magnitude of this association was both smaller and in the opposite direction to the relationship of both cow’s milk and goat’s milk and 25-hydroxyvitamin D.M.Sc.2017-12-01 00:00:0