Goat Milk

 

The alpha s1-casein is a protein polymorphism of goat milk, and is one found in all dairy goat breeds.

 

The a s1-casein is a protein polymorphism of goat milk first described in Europe, in the French Alpine and Saanen breeds, in the early nineteen eighties.

 

These polymorphisms have been found to affect cheese-making due to differences in protein content, renneting properties (faster coagulation and firmer curd) and a possible connection in relation to cheese flavor. Researched conducted on homozygous individuals for the various alleles confirmed the effects of genotype on the casein content in milk by showing the cheese-making yield observed in milk produced by those animals with strong alleles was 7 per cent higher in comparison with those with medium alleles and 15 per cent  higher than those with weak alleles. In addition, there have been studies that suggest that the genetic variation resulting in low or null levels could contribute to milk with a lesser antigenic burden and be of potential benefit to those with milk sensitivities.

 

Knowing the specific genetic polymorphism at goat casein loci on breeding stock would allow the breeder to set up breeding and selection programs targeted towards the improvement of cheese-making yield by selecting for high expression alleles, or selecting for animals with low levels which will be of benefit to those with milk or casein  sensitivities.

 

Fortunately, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at University of California, Davis, makes such testing possible in the United States.  The test would detect low level variants for casein – E, F, and N. High level variants for casein  – A or B, which represent several specific alleles. If you are interested in this testing for your does or buck you can approach ADGA.

 

However, the test is not designed to detect subvariants of A and B. The animal above (A/E), if a doe, would be expected to produce intermediate levels of the casein and pass on either the A or E to their offspring.  The animal above, if a buck, would have daughters that would inherit either the A (high level) or E (lower level).  The variant inherited from their dam would determine whether they were an intermediate or high level producer of casein.

 

Milk is a super drink for All! Packed with essential nutrients, milk is healthy for everyone from pregnant mums and seniors to teens, kids and newborn babies. Plus its rich, creamy flavor is undeniably delicious.

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, working individuals are prone to neglect proper diet or regular meals. High reliance on fast foods often results in high consumption of saturated fats, cholesterol, simple sugars and sodium. Those who skip meals are also certain to miss out on vital nutrients for their bodies.

A complete and balanced nutritional formula can help achieve a balanced and appropriate intake of necessary nutrients, especially when a meal itself is inadequate. Milk and diary products are rich sources of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and protein, which are all essential for healthy bone growth and development.

Our bones store calcium. When we do not get enough calcium from our daily meals, our body uses the calcium that is stored in our bones. Unfortunately, our bones start to lose calcium at a much greater rate when we reach our thirties. This causes our bones to weaken, thus increasing the risk of getting osteoporosis. By drinking goat milk regularly, we supply our body with the calcium it needs, therefore reducing the amount of calcium removed from our bones.

 

How much daily Calcium does your body need to maintain bone health?

Calcium Level Requirement To Take	Note :
19 to 50 years old	1,000mg a day (male and female)
51 to 70 years old	1,200mg a day (female) and 1,000mg a  day (male)
70 years above	1,200mg a day ( male and female)

How much Calcium do you get every day? Is it enough?

To get 100 percent daily Calcium requirements :

Fried chicken	x 71 pieces
Anchovies	x 690 pieces
Minced beef	x 28 cups
White bread	x 91 pieces
Cheese	x 11 slices
Soy bean milk	x 20 cups
Soy bean curd	x 6 pieces
Rice	x 200 bowls
Fresh goat milk	x 4 glasses

We lose calcium everyday. But, because we can’t see, or feel the damage being done to our bones, people often start taking preventive measures once it is already too late. Every day our bones are going through a natural process of breaking down and rebuilding. For that rebuilding we need Calcium.

 

In addition, our bodies are losing Calcium on a daily basis through our skin, nails, hair, sweat, urine and in other ways. As our bodies cannot produce Calcium, therefore it is vital to get adequate Calcium from the food we eat to protect our bone strength like milk, yogurt, cheese, certain green vegetables, bean curd, whole canned mackerel, canned sardines and salmon with soft edible bones. Fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna are also good food sources of vitamin D.

 

How Much Milk Do Kids Need?

From the age of 4 to 12 years old, kids are learning actively. They love to explore things around their environment. Therefore, they will need to have sufficient nutrients to support their rapid growth. Giving them goat milk helps support the 10 signs of good nutrition, which leads to a healthier child.

 

• 1 to 3 years old: 2 cups of milk each day
• 4 years old and older: 3 cups of milk each day

 

10 Signs of good nutrition:

1. 1. Right Weight For Their Height – Being overweight or underweight is not good for your kids. Give them a balanced diet for optimum growth.
   2. Clear Skin – Apart from Vitamin C, Vitamin A which is found in milk is important to maintain healthy skin.
   3. Good Muscle Development – Having sufficient exercise and nutrition encourage good muscle development, which enables kids to be stronger as they get more active.
   4. Good Eyesight – Good nutrition and good habits help maintain good eyesight. Ensure that your kids keep a good distance from the screen when watching television.
   5. Strong Bones and Teeth – Goat milk contains calcium and Vitamin D, two important nutrients for building stronger bones and teeth.
   6. Shiny and Lustrous Hair – On an average, a child’s hair grows 0.6 cm a month. Good nutrition can helps the hair look healthy.
   7. Good Appetite – Be more creative in how you serve milk to whet your kid’s appetite. For example, make them milkshakes and smoothies.
   8. Good Posture – Teach your kids to sit up straight. When lifting heavy things, do not bend over. Squat and lift instead.
   9. Alert and Cheerful – Encourage your kids to play games that stimulate their thinking, like puzzles, to help them develop a sharper and more alert mind.
   10. Sound Sleep – Apart from good nutrition, sleep is essential for growth. Ensure that your kid gets 10 – 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night.

 

Now we all know that milk is great for kids and also great for adults.  Let’s start drinking goat milk daily. Homemade Yogurt

 

 

 

 

Any milk product by an animal is considered dairy, but depending on the animal there can be differences in nutrition profile and composition. Actually, goat milk is closer to human milk than nut milk and other dairy milk.

 

As a complete food, milk is the sole food for infants and an important source of nutrients for children. However, when we hit adulthood, milk is often left out in our daily meals. More often then not, milk becomes an add-on to more adult beverages like tea or coffee. Contrary to what most people think, the fact is milk can play a role in contributing to your nutritional well-being, no matter how old you are and what lifestyle you subscribe to. To assume our bodies only required milk at the growing stages is wrong and this is a perception that needs to be addressed.

 

For Kids – Early childhood is a tremendous growth period across all areas of development. During this time, the body undergoes changes, both physically and mentally, Typically, the average child’s height doubles, and quadruplets in weight. To promote, encourage and sustain the growth, as well as to keep illnesses at bay, a growing child will required to be provided with all the essential nutrients.

Beyond just building a healthy body, it is also every parent’s concern whether their children are getting the right amount of nutrients to develop a healthy mind. Milk is an essential food source for toddlers, and young children, as it provides energy and nutrients for growth and brain development. Drinking milk at an early age also helps cultivate healthy habits as he or she will be more likely to continue drinking milk as teen and an adult.

 

For Teens – Boys and girls in this age group have high calcium needs that they cannot make up for later years in life. Calcium is a mineral that gives strength to our bones. It is also necessary for many of our body’s functions, including nerve, muscle and hormonal function. Unfortunately, peer pressure, the need to fit in and be popular amongst their peers often makes it ‘uncool’ to be seen sipping on a pack of milk.

During the teenage years, particularly from ages 11 to 15, your child’s bones are developing quickly and are storing calcium. Nearly half of all bones are formed during these years. It is therefore important that your teen gets plenty of calcium in his or her diet to prevent brittle bones later in life. Children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 18 should aim for 1,000 milligrams per day, which is about 3 servings of goat milk or other high-calcium food. This amount is almost twice as much as the amount required by younger children.

 

For Adults – In our adult years, calcium and dairy products play major roles in bone maintenance and may help with the prevention of chronic diseases. According to an extensive five year study on over 1,500 young adults, researchers reported that the subjects actually reduced their intake of calcium and dairy products as they enter their twenties. Since peak bone mass is not achieved until the third decade of life, it is crucial that young adults continue to consume adequate amounts of calcium, protein and vitamin D found in dairy products to support health and prevent osteoporosis later in life.

 

For individuals with a hectic lifestyle and irregular meals, goat milk can be a good supplement for sustenance. The fact is milk is a wholesome food, providing energy and all the essential nutrients. After a tiresome and exhausting day at work, drinking a warm glass of goat milk before sleep can help you relax and soothe your nerves.

Meyenberg Goat Milk Products Valley Goat Cheddar – Aged, 8-Ounce Packages (Pack of 5)

 

The following are all your questions about milk answered:

 

Milk is important for kids, but what about adults?

As I had mentioned earlier in my previous updates that Milk is important for your nutritional well-being, no matter how old you are and what lifestyle you lead. Milk as the richest source of calcium that can be readily absorbed, as well as other important nutrients, milk should always be considered as part of one’s daily diet across all ages. For toddlers and young children, milk is essential as it provides energy and nutrients for growth and development. During the teenage years kids need plenty of calcium as bones are developing quickly, while adults need calcium and dairy products for bone maintenance.

 

Can drinking milk give you more energy?

Not known to many, milk contains the same amount of energy as an energy drink. This is derived mostly from carbohydrate in the form of lactose. Besides providing energy for replenishment, the high protein content in milk contributes to the building and repair of muscles, therefore, improving muscle protein balance in active individuals.

 

Is is true that milk makes you fat?

An average glass of whole milk contains around 10 grams of fats, and goat milk  does not contain agglutinin. As a result, the fat globules in goat milk do not cluster together, making them easier to digest. And if you consume 2 – 3 servings of milk and other dairy products everyday as recommended by nutritionists, there is no need to avoid milk in order to stay in shape. In fact, no particular food product can make one fat. Instead, it is the total calorie intake a day that counts, whereby, if you consume more calories than you burn, weight gain will result.

 

How can milk last without the addition of preservatives?

To improve its shelf life without preservatives, milk is heat treated in various processing techniques that also kill harmful bacteria. The result is different types of milk like UHT, Pasteurized, Sterilized or Powdered Milk that can be stored for longer periods if left unopened.

 

What is the difference between UHT, Pasteurized, Sterilized Milk and Milk Powder?

The difference is in the way that it is processed, yet delivering all the same goodness of milk. How you choose depends on your preference for convenience, taste or storage choices.

UHT (Ultra High Temperature) is a process that uses temperatures no lower than 135° C to kill all bacteria in milk. This allows an unopened pack to be kept for as long as 10 months.

Pasteurized milk is processed at temperature not lower than 73° C for at least 30 seconds, followed by rapid cooling at which temperature it is stored. In goat milk, after pasteurization, it kills the pathogenic bacteria – those that make you sick, the harmless lactic acid bacteria survives, but if the goat milk is not kept cold, they multiply rapidly and cause it to turn sour. So it has to be kept refrigerated at all times – even if left unopened and its shelf life is short – approximately 4 weeks.

On the other hand, Sterilized Milk is treated with temperature of more than 100° C, and since it is packaged in bottles, additional treatment is required to ensure the sterile condition of the product. If unopened, sterilized milk can be kept for 8 months at room temperature.

Powdered Milk is manufactured by evaporating milk to dryness so that it can sustain a longer shelf life than liquid milk. It does not need to be refrigerated, due to its low moisture content.

 

How do I choose between Whole milk, Low fat milk and Skimmed milk?

The fat in milk is necessary for the body to develop hormones, structural components of cells and act as a transporter for vitamins. And since an average glass of whole milk contains  around 10 grams of fats, there is no real need to opt for milk with lower fat content to stay in shape. But for those who wish to limit their fat intake, they can choose skimmed milk where nearly all the fat has been removed or low fat milk which has a fat content of 1 – 2%. Generally, whole milk contains at least 3.25% of milk fat.

 

What is the difference between goat milk vs. nut milk benefits?

1. Goat milk has more protein – Although dairy-free milk alternatives like almond milk are completely vegan, they often have little to no protein at all. Goat milk packs a hearty 8 grams of protein per cup.
2. Goat milk is nut-free and soy-free – If you are unable to tolerate cow milk, the other options available on the market are soy or nut based. Goat milk is a better alternative to cow milk for you if you have a soy or nut allergy.
3. Goat milk is loaded with calcium and other minerals – Goat milk is naturally an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. In addition, goat milk contains the precursor to vitamin A in the milk fat which allows it to be readily bioavailable, and the bioavailability of minerals in goat milk is higher than that of cow milk.
4. Goat milk is creamy and comparable to cow milk: Nut milk can often have a very watery consistency and do not have the same properties as regular milk in certain recipes. Goat milk is creamy and has a similar consistency to cow milk, but with easier to digest properties. Besides, goat milk can be replaced 1:1 for milk products in any recipe. You can also add goat milk to overnight oats and creamy soups as well.

 

According to experts from  Meyenberg Goat Milk, goat milk is made up of very small fat particles which form a softer, smaller curd in the stomach, and these small, soft curds are more quickly broken down by stomach enzymes, making it easier for the stomach to digest as compared to nut milk and other dairy milk.

 

There is an inherent belief that chilled milk in the morning causes phlegm, how true is this?

Many people confuse the temporary, slight thickening of saliva after drinking milk with mucus. In actual fact, there is no scientific research that shows milk produces mucus in the airways or the throat.

 

Is goat milk Heaty?

No, it is not heaty! Goat milk contains good nutrients which helps to enhance growth, increase immune function and maintain bone density.

 

Is it suitable for kids who is lactose intolerant?

All milk from mammalian species contain lactose. However, sometimes cow milk protein intolerance (CMPI) is misdiagnosed as lactose intolerance. In cases of CMPI, Goat milk is an effective alternative.

 

What is CMPA?

Cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a reaction to cow’s milk that results from a hypersensitive immune response to one or more milk proteins. CMPA is the most common food allergy that affects babies and kids. Most kids outgrow the allergy when they reach adolescence.

CMPA shows up in a variety of forms. The sign can come on suddenly or over a period of hours to days after ingesting the milk. Symptoms of CMPA includes Respiratory Complaints; coughing and wheezing, Skin Reactions; rashes, eczema and hives, and Digestive Problems; vomiting, diarrhea, and colic. Most kids with CMPA may have more than one symptom. However, all theses symptoms are not specific to CMPA only because they are also symptoms of other medical problems. Therefore, if you suspect that your kid is allergic to cow’s milk protein, please do consult your physician immediately.

In cases of CMPA, Goat milk is a good alternative.

 

What is Goat Milk Colostrum?

Colostrum or first milk is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands of human, goat, cow and other mammals  in late pregnancy. Most species will generate colostrum within one day of giving birth.

 

Benefits of Colostrum:

Newborn babies have very small digestive systems, and human colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of the baby’s first stool, which is called meconium. This clears excess bilirubin, a waste product of dead red blood cells which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume reduction, from the infant’s body and helps prevent jaundice.

Chemically, human colostrum is very rich in proteins, vitamin A, and sodium chloride, but contains lower amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, and potassium than normal milk. The most pertinent bioactive components in colostrum are growth factors and antimicrobial factors. The antibodies in colostrum provide passive immunity while growth factors stimulate the development of the gut. They are passed to the neonate and provide the first protection against pathogens. The passive immunity from the mother gets transferred to the newborn.

Goat Milk Colostrum is unique because it is closest to human milk. Before the development of antibiotics, colostrum was the main source of immunoglobulins used to fight infections. Now interest is once again returning to natural alternatives to antibiotics, namely, colostrum. Study showed protective effects against influenza. Colostrum also has antioxidant components, such as lactotransferrin and hemopexin, which binds free heme in the body.

Goat milk colostrum also promote muscle growth, helps build bone, nerve tissue, connective tissue, skin collagen and epithelial growth factors to slow the aging process. Some athletes have used colostrum supplementation in an attempt to improve their performance, decrease recovery time, and prevent sickness during peak performance levels.

 

 

Tips on getting kids to drink goat milk

Here are ways parents and caregivers can use to ensure their kids get the required amount of goat milk each day.  It is not always easy to encourage kids to drink goat milk, but it is good for them. Therefore, try turning plain goat milk into flavored milk to get kids to drink more milk. It has the same ingredients as plain goat milk. If your kids do not like plain goat milk try the other alternatives listed below.

 

1. Serve goat milk chilled, the way kids like it. Pour it right before serving and promptly return the container to the refrigerator so the goat milk maintains its flavor.
2. Be a role model. When children see you drink goat milk, they are more likely to drink it, too
3. Serve goat milk at meals. Set expectations ahead of time that goat milk is the beverage of choice at meal times.
4. Serve flavored goat milk at home like the addition of fruits juice, coffee or tea. Kids love it, and gramme for gramme it has the same nutrients as unflavored milk. Coffee and tea flavored milk has gained substantial popularity among adults. The most common and equally popular practice is the addition of milk in coffee or tea.
5. Stock the fridge with single-serve containers of goat milk that can be packed easily for when they have outings or go to school.
6. Serve goat milk in special glasses and with a straw. Let older kids use mix-ins to create a new milk flavor.
7. Let children use a straw to drink the goat milk left in the bowl after finishing their cereal.
8. Order Goat Milk  or low-fat flavored milk in kid-friendly, single-serve containers instead of soda when eating out.
9. Remind children to drink milk with school lunch. Studies show that when children drink milk at lunch, they have higher intakes of several critical nutrients, including calcium, zinc and vitamin A.
10. Pack a milk carton along with their food for school recess.
11. Heat the goat milk. If your kids are having trouble sleeping, make them a cup of hot milk. People say a glass of warm milk will help anyone sleep, so pour out a cup of milk and either put it in the microwave for a minute or heat it in a saucepan on your stove.

 

With the increasing awareness on good health, many people are switching over to goat milk and coffee-flavoured goat milk. The calcium, casein and phosphorous in goat milk protect teeth against cavities.

 

Now that you have all your question about milk answered, go ahead and spread the goodness of goat milk!