Bos taurus, cattle

Milk

Brief facts

• Milk is a white liquid secreted by the mammary glands. It contains proteins, sugar, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.
• Cow milk and dairy products have long tradition in human nutrition. Significance of cow milk is emphasized in northern European mythology where primeval cow Audhumla (in old German her name means "dark void") evolved from melting ice before the beginning of the world and was the first creature. Her milk made up four rivers that nourished the frost giant Ymir who was the first primodial deity. Ymir was killed by the Aesir, and his body was turned into the world, the oceans, and the sky.
• Milk contains the nutrients needed for growth and development of the calf. Unprocessed milk not only contains various fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals but also immunoglobulins, hormones, growth factors, cytokines, emzymes and other bioactive components. Milk composition depends on stage of lactation, age, breed, and nutritional and health status of the animal.

Components of whole milk (3.25% fat) without added vitamin A and vitamin D and their health effects

Nutrient	Units	1.00 X 1 cup ------- 244g	Dietary reference intake (RI) for 31-50 years old adults (female/male)	Health effects
Major constituents
Water	g	215.04	varied	hydration
Energy	kcal	149	Average 2,000-2,500 kcal	~6% of total energy requirement
Protein (80% caseins)	g	7.69	500/625	not a significant source of protein
Total lipid (fat)	g	7.98	20-35	~30% of DRI; necessary for brain, bones, lungs, liver, and other organs as well as immune system
Ash	g	1.63
Fiber, total dietary	g	0.0	25-38	not a significant source of fiber
Sugars
Lactose	g	12.32	45-65	can cause maldigestion, galactosemia (negative)
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	276	800	contributes 35% of DRI; necessary for bones, teeth, weight control
Iron, Fe	mg	0.07	8.1/6	~1% of DRI; no significant health effect
Magnesium, Mg	mg	24	265/350	~1% of DRI; no significant health effect
Phosphorus, P	mg	205	580	~35% of DRI; important for bones, energy production (ATP), DNA synthesis, cell membranes, buffering
Potassium, K	mg	322	4,700	~7% of DRI; protects against hypertension, important for muscle and body growth, electrical activity in the heart, others
Sodium, Na	mg	105	2,400	~4% of DRI; in these amounts doesn't contribute to hypertension
Zinc, Zn	mg	0.90	6.8/9.4	~11% of DRI; important for immune system; healthy skin, nails and hair; normal growth and sexual development
Copper, Cu	mg	0.061	700	no significant health effects in these amounts
Manganese, Mn	mg	0.010	2.3	~.4% of DRI; no significant health effects in these amounts
Selenium, Se	μg	9.0	45	~20% of DRI; protects from cancer, allergy, coronary heart disease
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	g	0.0	60/75	does not have health benefits
Thiamin	mg	0.112	0.9/1	~10%; essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, nervous system and metabolism of carbohydrates
Riboflavin (B2)	mg	0.412	0.9/1.1	~40% of DRI; important for body growth and red blood cell production and helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates
Niacin (B3)	mg	0.217	11/12	1.8%; does not have significant health effects in these amounts
Pantothenic acid	mg	0.910	~5	~18% of DRI; necessary for healthy metabolism; important for treating dietary deficiencies, acne, alcoholism, allergies, baldness, asthma, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, burning feet syndrome, yeast infections, heart failure, carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory disorders, celiac disease, colitis, conjunctivitis, convulsions, and cystitis
Vitamin B6	mg	0.088	1.1	~8% of DRI; important for immune system, normal nerve function, synthesis of hemoglobin, normoglycemia
Folate, total	μg	12	320	~3-4%; does not have significant health effects in these amounts
Choline, total	mg	34.9	425	~8% of adequate intake; important for structural integrity of cell membranes, cholinergic neurotransmission (acetylcholine synthesis), and a major source for methyl groups
Vitamin B12	μg	1.10	2	~50% of DRI; important for metabolism, formation of red blood cells and in the maintenance of the central nervous system
Vitamin A, IU	μg	118.5	500/625	~2%; does not have significant health effects in these amounts
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	mg	0.17	12	~1.4%; does not have significant health effects in these amounts
Vitamin D (D2 + D3)	μg	0.2	10	~2%; does not have significant health effects in these amounts
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	μg	0.7	90/120	does not have significant health effects in these amounts
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	g	4.551	not necessary, synthesized in the body	increase HDL, small dense LDL, and total cholesterol (negative)
Fatty acids, total unsaturated	g	2.933, oleic acid (18:1c) contributes 1.981	25-35	reduces risk of coronary heart disease, important for cell membranes
3-Omega acids	g	0.000	1.1/1.6	does not contribute to health benefits
cholesterol	mg	24	requirement is not set because it's synthesized by organism; typical daily consumption for adults is ~200-300 mg	excess of dietary cholesterol can cause coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, increased risk of stroke (negative)

Milk also contains all essential (indispesable) amino acids: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine & cysteine, phenylalanine & tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. The building blocks of all proteins in the body and some hormones. These nine amino acids must be provided in the diet and thus are termed indispensable amino acids. The body can make the other amino acids needed to synthesize specific structures from other amino acids and carbohydrate precursors.

In conclusion, most of milk's major constituents have positive effect on human health by providing essential nutrients in adequate amounts. However, high contents of saturated fatty acids and lactose can be of concern for people that consume considerable quantities of milk by contributing to obesity and risk of coronary heart disease and for people with lactose intolerance and allergic reaction on various milk components.

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Cow's milk allergy vs. cow's milk intolerance

Cow's milk allergy and cow's milk intolerance are two different concepts that are used interchangeably. The former is an immunologically mediated reaction to the milk's contents, not unlike to any other allergic reactions, for example, to eggs, corn, nuts, etc. The latter is non-immunologic reaction to the cow's milk, the most common cause of which is deficiency of lactase - the enzyme that breaks down one of the main nutrients of the milk - lactose.

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References

• Haug A, Høstmark AT, Harstad OM. Bovine milk in human nutrition--a review. Lipids Health Dis. 2007 Sep 25;6:25.
• USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23 (2010)
• Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Estimated Average Requirements (Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, National Academies)

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More about cattle at GeoChemBio

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Prints, posters, mugs and other drinkware as well as various bags and even throw pillows with portraits of beautiful cows are available at GeoChemBio shop

Mix and match to create your drinkware sets, to decorate your room or to make an original gift!

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