Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!brl-adm!rutgers!clyde!cuae2!ihnp4!houxm!hropus!jin From: jin@hropus.UUCP (Jerry Natowitz) Newsgroups: sci.bio Subject: Re: Question about nutrition value of milk Message-ID: <839@hropus.UUCP> Date: Sun, 21-Dec-86 18:57:49 EST Article-I.D.: hropus.839 Posted: Sun Dec 21 18:57:49 1986 Date-Received: Mon, 22-Dec-86 05:37:35 EST References: <941@midas.UUCP> Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ Lines: 30 Low-fat milk is a rather nutrition dense food. That means that, for the calories, it provides a lot of nutrition. There are a few caveats to be attached to milk: 1) Many adults, and some children, are unable to easily digest the carbohydrate component of milk - lactose. This is refered to as lactase insufficiency, lactase being the enzyme that breaks lactose down to it's component simple sugars: glucose and galactose. The result is gas and diarrhea from the intestinal bacteria feasting on the unabsorbed lactose. Lact-Aid is either a product that can be added to milk or the milk itself with the product (don't remember which) that will "pre-digest" the lactose. 2) Cow's milk, of any fat content, is not a good substitute for human milk. If my memory serves me correctly cow's milk is too high in protein for human babies. 3) With the exception of skim milk all milk contains cholesterol and saturated fatty acids. Most authorities agree that adults should avoid these in their diet and many nutritionists feel that children should have a low intake of cholesterol and saturated fats. 4) Many teens drink excessive amounts of milk to the exclusion of other foods. This is probably better then loading up on candy and chips but can result in an unbalanced diet. -- Jerry Natowitz Bell Labs - HR 2A-214 201-615-5178 (CORNET 295-5178) ihnp4!hropus!jin