Dairy Affects Puberty

A new study published in Pediatrics says that early puberty, a risk factor linked to breast cancer, is more likely to affect girls who consume more meat and dairy products. Girls who consumed the highest amount of animal products at age 7 were 75 percent more likely to begin menstruating by age 12 than those who consumed the least amount of meat. In addition to the higher cancer risk among those who experience early puberty, younger children might not be mature enough to deal with the emotionally taxing experience of puberty. Joel Fuhrman, M.D., urges parents to help slow down their children’s development by feeding them a plant-based diet.