Jennifer Hudson Sings the Praises of Milk to Celebrate Black History Month, American Heart Month

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning actor, singer and new mom Jennifer Hudson joins the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign to spread the word that milk is naturally nutrient-rich like no other beverage and provides a unique mix of essential nutrients that families need.  In honor of Black History Month, the new ad will bring a message that's especially important for African American families who research suggests, may be less likely to put milk on the table.

"When you serve milk, you're doing something good for you and your family," says 28-year-old Hudson, who is best known for her award-winning performance as "Effie" in "Dreamgirls" and her chart-topping, self-titled debut album that spawned the hit "Spotlight."  "As a new mom, I'm trying to make the best choices for my family and me, which includes making sure milk is on our table everyday."

Hudson's ad will reinforce the importance of milk for her family.  Her message: "The taste of fame. Center stage, silver screen, joyful new mom. How do I keep this show on the road? Milk. Its wholesome goodness helps make my family strong at every stage. Talk about a powerful performance."

New mom to son David Daniel Otunga, Jr., who was born in August 2009, Hudson wants to remind all moms that milk is one simple way to add important nutrients to your family's diet.  Milk provides a valuable combination of key vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin D, potassium and magnesium, that are often lacking in American diets.

"For African American families, in particular, the gap between the recommendations and the reality for milk consumption is quite large," said Dr. Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian and pediatric nutrition expert.  "By skipping milk, families are missing out on tremendous benefits.  They could even be at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis and potentially heart disease."

Milk is the leading source of vitamin D in the American diet, yet less than seven percent of African Americans meet the three daily servings of milk recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.(1)  In fact, studies show that African American women are 10 times more likely to be vitamin D deficient than Caucasian women, and new research suggests low vitamin D levels may even help explain why African Americans are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases – affecting nearly half of all African American women.(2,3,4)

The Real Story on Lactose Intolerance and African Americans

New evidence suggests that significantly fewer African Americans are lactose intolerant than previously believed. Only about 24 percent of African Americans consider themselves to be lactose intolerant, according to a report by the National Medical Association, the nation's largest medical association representing African American physicians and their patients.(5,6)

"Not everyone with lactose intolerance has symptoms, but even for people who do, there are many ways they can still include milk in their diets," said Ayoob.  Experts suggest gradually increasing consumption of milk or milk products, drinking milk with food or opting for lactose-reduced or lactose free alternatives to help all families get the benefits of milk's nine essential nutrients.(7)

Whymilk.com: Exclusive Contest and Campaign Info

At www.whymilk.com, fans can check out Hudson's new Milk Mustache ad, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from her ad shoot and tell us how they build their strong family with milk for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to a Jennifer Hudson concert during the fall of 2010. In addition, fans can read Hudson's thoughts on becoming a new mother in the latest Building Strong Families column.

The site also features information designed to help you build a strong family, including research on the health benefits of milk and a "Milk for All Ages" tool that allows you to determine how milk helps you and your family be your best at any age.

About the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption.  The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, through MilkPEP, runs the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk.  For more information, go to www.whymilk.com.  Deutsch, A Lowe and Partners Company, is the creative agency for the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign.

References

1 Beydoun MA, Gary TL, Caballero BH, Lawrence RS, Cheskin LJ, Wang Y. Ethnic differences in dairy and related nutrient consumption among US adults and their association with obesity, central obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;87:1914-1925.

2 Nesby-O'Dell S, Scanlon KS, Cogswell ME, Gillespie C, Hollis BW, Looker AC, Allen C, Doughertly C, Gunter EW, Bowman BA. Hypovitaminosis D prevalence and determinants among African American and white women of reproductive age: third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2002;76:187-192.

3 Fiscella K, Franks P. Vitamin D, race, and cardiovascular mortality: Findings from a national US sample. Annals of Family Medicine. 2010;8:11-18.

4 Lloyd-Jones D, Adams RJ, Brown TM, Carnethon M, Dai S, De Simone G, Ferguson TB, Ford E, Furie K, Gillespie C, Go A, Greenlund K, Haase N, Hailpern S, Ho PM, Howard V, Kissela B, Kittner S, Lackland D, Lisabeth L, Marelli A, McDermott MM, Meigs J, Mozaffarian D, Mussolino M, Nichol G, Roger V, Rosamond W, Sacco R, Sorlie P, Stafford R, Thom T, Wasserthiel-Smoller S, Wong ND, Wylie-Rosett J; on behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics--2010 Update. A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2009. Epub ahead of print.

5 Byers KG, Savaiano DA. The myth of increased lactose intolerance in African-Americans. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2005;24:569S-5673S.

6 Wooten, WJ, Price W. Consensus report of the National Medical Association. The role of dairy and dairy nutrients in the diet of African-Americans. Journal of the National Medical Association 2005;96:1S-31S.

7 National Medical Association. Lactose intolerance and African Americans: implications for the consumption of appropriate intake levels of key nutrients. Journal of the National Medical Association. 2009; 101:5S-23S.

SOURCE Milk Processor Education Program