OVER 50? can't lose?

We've got good news for anyone who loves cheese and wants to shed excess pounds: A recent multi-university study found that getting lots of yummy dairy foods not only protects the bones of postmenopausal dieters, it also doubles or even triples the speed at which we lose fat from our belly and hips.

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Turns out, dairy is crammed with nutrients that tip the scales in our favor. And while low-fat mozzarella or 1% yogurt is fine for those who prefer it, "full-fat cheese can be a secret weapon that helps you reach a healthy weight," says David S. Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D., a Harvard endocrinologist and researcher. A little skeptical? So was Jean Davila. As a vegetarian who eats dairy but no meat, she decided to try a 'lazy' keto plan. "I had yogurt or cheese at virtually every sitting, guilt-free," shares the Connecticut retiree, 60. "And I've lost 167 pounds." Keep reading to find out how to make dairy foods your new weight-loss buddy...

Before we go any further, let’s clear up a couple things. Yes, you can safely have full-fat dairy. According to Dr. Ludwig, large studies demonstrate the saturated fat in dairy doesn’t cause heart disease. And Swedish scientists have 12 years of evidence that shows full-fat dairy makes us slimmer, not heavier.

Also worth noting: Some diets suggest that whether we’re lactose intolerant or not, dairy causes cellular inflammation that drives weight gain and health problems. True or false? While it is possible to have a dairy sensitivity, most research shows dairy doesn’t cause inflammation. In one test, milk even led to “significant suppression of inflammatory markers,” says noted University of Tennessee dairy expert Michael Zemel, Ph.D.