The link between calcium in dairy and good bone health has been well established by decades of research; milk and milk products play an important role in the diet, and children rarely get the calcium they need without them, says Greg Miller, Ph.D. of the National Dairy Council.

Bone health is an important issue for kids and teens who are in a critical stage of development regarding strong bones. A report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis by the 2004 Surgeon General in 2004, estimated that 34 million people are currently at risk from osteoporosis. The report stresses the importance of preventative measures such as including in the diet calcium and vitamin D-rich foods like milk, cheese and yogurt. New U.S. Dietary Guidelines also highlight calcium as a "nutrient of concern" among children and adolescents and recommends dairy, 3 servings a day of milk and milk products, to provide many of the key nutrients that Americans are lacking in their diet.

Many health and nutrition experts agree that milk and milk products are essential for healthy bones and recent research by prominent calcium and bone expert Robert P. Heaney, MD, of Creighton University in Omaha suggests that a diet devoid of milk and milk products could lead to bone fractures. Heaney's review of 139 studies exploring the relationship between bone health and calcium intake, which included more than 50 controlled interventions, is one of the most comprehensive analysis of the research on the connection between dairy and bone strength.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has run an extensive, publicly funded education program called "Milk Matters," which focuses on why milk is essential in the bone development of kids and teens.

Patients entered the study with LDL-cholesterol levels between 130 mg/dL and 250 mg/dL. More than half of the patients taking Lipitor at 10 mg doses achieved LDL-cholesterol levels of 100 mg/dL or lower.

TNT is an investigator-led trial coordinated by an independent steering committee and was funded by Pfizer. The study enrolled men and women between 35 and 75 years of age in 14 countries.

"In addition to providing outstanding benefits at the lowest and highest doses of Lipitor in the TNT study, it's important to note that patients achieved these benefits safely," Dr. Feczko said. "This is critical new information that potentially could have a significant impact on how physicians approach the treatment of heart disease."

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and the majority of Americans with elevated cholesterol, a leading risk factor for heart attacks, are not at their recommended goal levels. Updated guidelines issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program confirm the added benefit of prescribing cholesterol-lowering medication like Lipitor, along with diet modification and exercise, to patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition, the NCEP panel has recommended an LDL- cholesterol level of less than 100 mg/dL as the goal of therapy for patients at high risk of coronary heart disease.

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