Review Article
Year: 2016 | Month: February | Volume: 3 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 96-102
Importance of Milk
Anil Batta
Professor, Dept. of Medical Biochemistry, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences/GGS Medical College, Faridkot Punjab, India.
ABSTRACT
A diet high in saturated fat content, heredity, and various metabolic conditions such as type II diabetes, influences an individual’s level of cholesterol. It’s a serious condition that increases the risk for heart disease. Most cholesterol in the body is made by the liver from a wide variety of foods, but especially from saturated fats, such as those found in animal products. It has been classified to LDL & HDL cholesterol. Ideally one should aim for total cholesterol of under 200 mg/dL and LDL under 100 mg/ dL. The optimal LDL and HDL ratio is 4:1 (or less). HDL can be raised naturally without the use of medications. Other authentic ways of increasing HDL cholesterol are exercise and selective foods in diet. “HDL cholesterol is a scavenger that cleans up bad cholesterol. Having high levels of HDL cholesterol (at least 60 mg/dL) helps protect against CAD. Milk is a widely consumed beverage that is essential to the diet of several millions of people worldwide because it provides important macro- and micronutrients. Milk is recognized as being useful during childhood and adolescence because of its composition; however, its relatively high saturated fat proportion raises issues of potential detrimental effects, namely on the cardiovascular system. Buffalo is playing a leading role in the national economy by producing milk, meat and draught power. Out of total milk produced in the country, buffalo contributes about 56 %, followed by cattle (34%) and sheep/goat/camel (9%). Due to high fat contents of buffalo milk, it is the most preferred species in India. Buffaloes not only fulfill the protein requirements of the human population by milk and meat, but are also have a great share in providing the traction power for various agricultural purposes. This review evaluates the most recent literature on dairy and human health, framed within epidemiologic, experimental, and biochemical evidence. As an example, the effects of milk (notably skimmed milk) on body weight appear to be well documented, and the conclusions of the vast majority of published studies indicate that dairy consumption does not increase cardiovascular risk or the incidence of some cancers. Even though the available evidence is not conclusive, some studies suggest that milk and its derivatives might actually be beneficial to some population segments. Although future studies will help elucidate the role of milk and dairy products in human health, their use within a balanced diet should be considered in the absence of clear contraindications. The aim of this review paper is to point out the production performance of Pakistani buffaloes with a little touch to exotic buffaloes and the suggestions/recommendations to improve their performance to produce more.
Key words: Cholesterol, milk, saturated fatty acids, LDL, HDL, Buffalo, problems.