Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

By Harlan Levy

Our dog Latke savors a daily chunk of cheese. So do I.

But is that healthy for Latke? I checked and found that, yes, dogs can eat cheese – in moderation, but too much may cause digestive issues due to lactose intolerance. Advice:

• Avoid cheeses that are toxic to dogs, like blue cheese. Low-fat, low-lactose options like mozzarella are safer choices.
• Cheese should be an occasional treat, making up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet.

Latke’s diet includes lots of chicken, dry kibble, Hill’s Adult (she’s 14 ½) and Hearty Vegetable & Tuna Stew (Mmm hmm good!), and a handful of Nutra Complete freeze-dried raw Premium Beef Recipe cubes.

Full-fat dairy 

Beside dogs, do you, like me, like a nice daily slab or slice or two of cheese? The good news, as reported in a new article in Sciencedaily.com: higher intake of full-fat cheese and cream was linked to a lower dementia risk in a large Swedish study.

The major long-term study from Sweden found that middle-aged and older adults who ate more full-fat cheese and cream had a lower risk of developing dementia.

The study tracked 27,670 people over a 25-year period. During that time, 3,208 participants were diagnosed with dementia. Among individuals without a known genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, those who consumed more than 50 grams of full-fat cheese per day showed a 13%-17% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Also, the study found that people who consumed more than 20 grams of full-fat cream per day also showed a lower risk of dementia overall, ranging from 16%-24%. No meaningful links were found for low-fat or high-fat milk, fermented or non-fermented milk, or low-fat cream.

The results contradict health guidance that has long encouraged people to choose low-fat dairy to protect heart health. This connection matters because cardiovascular disease and dementia share many underlying risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

The report said that when evidence from previous studies is combined, analyses suggest that cheese consumption may also be linked to a lower risk of heart disease, and that full-fat dairy does not necessarily increase cardiovascular risk.

In the Swedish study, people who consumed more full-fat cheese and cream were also more educated, less likely to be overweight and had lower rates of conditions linked to dementia, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. All of these factors independently reduce dementia risk.

Also, the study’s report said that full-fat cheese contains several nutrients relevant to brain health, including fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2, as well as vitamin B12, folate, iodine, zinc and selenium. “These nutrients play roles in neurological function and may help support cognitive health,” the authors said.

Egg prices

I received the following letter from a fellow consumer:

“Dear Mr. Levy:

“I do not have a problem for you to solve, but I have a set of circumstances you might want to explore? It has to do with the price of eggs.

“On July 1, at 1:10 PM, I checked out of Big Y at Bishops Corner with an order that included a dozen Vital Farms brand eggs. The charge was a hefty $9.19, but they are my favorite eggs, and I budget for them.

“Today, July 2, at 11:02 AM. I checked out of the Bishops Corner Target where I purchased 2 dozen Vital Farms brand eggs … with a charge of $6.69 per dozen!

“Now I do have a lot of eggs, but all three cartons are labeled identically ‘USE BY: JUL/22/26.’

“I was floored by the price differential between eggs in the case at Big Y, and eggs in the case at Target.

“I’m sure you can imagine where I will be buying my eggs from this point forward!

“And I thought you might want to investigate. Maybe there’s a reason for the price markup at Big Y? Or the price discount at Target?

“Best regards and good luck,

“Your fan, [N]”

N: Thanks for writing. I went to Target on Monday and found the organic Vital Farms eggs are still going for $6.69. The same eggs at Big Y are still $9.19. I also went to Whole Foods Monday night and found Organic Valley eggs priced at $9.99.

Why Target is so cheap? Target’s groceries are all incredibly cheap. Indeed you can buy cage-free large brown eggs at Target for $2.99.

So it goes.

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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