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| Pic. credit. mynutritiondegree.com |
When I was thinking of the next word challenge “M” the word Milk
appeared before me first.
Since it is a vital substance for the survival of a child
since its birth.
In my school days I used to say or learn a phrase like this,
indeed a lesson in the lower primary classes.
Amma yenikku kaachiya
paal tharum athu kudikkaanjaal amma കരയും ("അമ്മ എനിക്കു കാച്ചിയ പാല് തരും അതു കുടിക്കാഞ്ഞാല് അമ്മ കരയും")
That is in English “Mother gives me milk, if I do not drink
mother will cry”
Its shows the importance of milk drinking for the survival a
baby.
Yes, as it is said and known that “Milk is a complete
(whole) food.
It is very essential for a child’s (or for that matter any
species) growth for a certain period of time.
Human babies drink their mother’s milk and it contains all the nutrients—vitamins
and minerals—that is needed for a babe’s growth.
Another example, kittens live off strictly on their mothers
milk for 5 or 6 weeks and then the mother weans them and they start eating
solid foods. During the first 5-6 weeks of their life the milk provides all the
nutrients their bodies need to stay healthy.
The history of milk drinking started thousands of years
back. People have been drinking raw milk
of animals. Though it is known as raw
milk, the milk is now consumed only after cooking or boiling. But in the beginning the milk from animals
like cows, goats, sheep, camels, yak, buffalos, or horses, donkeys has been consumed raw.
The Health Benefits of Raw Milk
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| Credit, myindiapictures.com Source: John Britto |
Clean cow milk produced from grass fed cows was used as a
medicine in the early part of the last century.
From the time of Hippocrates to till just after World War II
Milk the ‘white blood” nourished and healed millions of people. It is no doubt a fully balanced food since it
contains essential Proteins, amino acids, Carbohydrates, Fats and other Enzymes. Recent
studies reveal that it has powerful antiviral properties as well.
The immunoglobulin also known as antibodies available in
milk helps to reduce the severity of asthma symptoms. Studies have shown significant loss of these
important disease fighters when milk is heated to normal processing
temperatures
In short, as the time passed by, humans have learned a lot
on how to make the most of milk. Milk supplies
many key nutrients a human wants to live.
These days’ milk packs come in with complete high quality protein, a
variety of Vitamin B including B12 and the minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorus,
zinc, iodine and selenium. In fact, from
your heart to your bones, milk can play an important role.
Gulping a glass of milk after exercise can help you build
your body muscles. It lowers the boom on
high blood pressure. A study says that
men who consumed more diary products tend to have lower blood pressure. Researchers say that more consumption of
diary products helps people with high blood pressure. A Harvard study too confirms that consuming
more diary foods, especially milk may helps to lower your blood pressure. It contains B12, a nutrient that may help
prevent cardiovascular diseases. Notice that
only low-fat diary products not high fat, diary does the trick.
Developing a habit of taking diary products specially milk
could slash your risk of certain cancers.
Studies conducted on women proved that getting more calcium from food
especially from milk products cut the risk of breast cancer. In another study milk and yogurt were linked
to lower rates of liver cancer.
Yet another report says: “The vitamin B12 found in milk
helps wage an anti-cancer campaign, too, this nutrient plays an important role
in preventing cancer. Particularly breast
cancer. Your body needs B12 to free
another vitamin folate, from food. Your
cells then use folate to build healthy DNA, your body’s genetic “blueprint,”
Getting too little B 12 leaves the folate trapped in food, unusable by your
body. This folate shortage, in turn
causes your body to build weak DNA that is more susceptible to cancer causing
changes. So think of milk as a triple
threat against cancer with its rich stores so calcium, vitamin D, and B12.”
Since milk supplies lots of calcium its intake helps to
build stronger bones. Fortified milk
gives you vitamin D; recent study suggests that meeting your needs for vitamin
D is more important than calcium for bone density. New evidence shows that milk proteins play a
big role in building bones, that is to say that milk may be better for bone
strength than other diary foods. This is especially important for women who are
above 50.
Yet another recent study found it reduced older women’s risk
of falling by 46 percent and less active women benefited even more with 65
percent less risk of falling. Experts
explain that vitamin D deficiencies contribute to muscle weakness a major risk
factor in falls. All this shows that you
need more of it as you get older to keep your muscles working well.
Milk is an ideal source of nutrients such as vitamin A &
B, calcium, carbohydrate, phosphorous, magnesium, protein, zinc and riboflavin. Milk deficiency can cause severe anemia,
osteoporosis and other related illnesses. Milk consumption is very essential to
maintain good health and doing normal activities. It is the best source of
calcium for all age groups.
Its calcium contents help the bones, and teeth healthy. Since milk contains a good quantity of water molecules
and is considered the best fluid for rehydration. It is good for dry skin, it can nourish and
smoothen your dry skin. The lactic acid
present in milk helps to remove the dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin. It also helps in reducing acidity. In fact a
glass of milk contains vitamin A & B for good eyesight and increasing RBC
count, carbohydrates for vitality and energy, potassium for proper nerve
function, magnesium for muscular function, phosphorous for energy release,
protein for body repair and growth.
In short milk is no doubt a wonder food and its moderate
consumption can do wonders in our life.
Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2054675
http://www.unpo.org/content/view/7920/125/
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/68/6/780?ck=
FC&A Medical Publishing
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