GOAT’S MILK

Many babies experience allergic reactions if weaned onto cow’s milk too early, and it has also been seen to interfere with absorption from the gut, causing increased lead uptake, and inhibited absorption of magnesium and manganese. Therefore goat’s milk has been identified as a useful alternative for sensitive children and adults alike.

The Problem with Drinking Milk

Humans are the only animals who consume the milk of another animal, therefore it is not surprising that some people are unable to digest cow’s milk effectively. Human milk is really the only suitable food for babies, but circumstances often dictate that mothers cannot breast-feed all of the time. Cow’s milk, however, forms large, indigestible curds in the stomach, and promotes detrimental mucus production in the intestines (see below). In addition, many youngsters develop eczema when weaned onto cow’s milk, and intolerances to cow’s milk proteins and lactose are not uncommon at that age. These problems then persist into adulthood and can be a causative factor in many other food intolerances and allergic reactions, due to the build-up of foreign particles and mucus in the body.

The Benefits of Goat’s Milk

Quite simply, goat’s milk is closer to human milk in composition than cow’s milk, therefore it is more easily digested. The curds formed in the stomach during digestion of goat’s milk are made up of softer, finer particles than those formed by cow’s milk, therefore they pass through the digestive system far more easily.

In addition to this, goat’s milk is less likely to cause excessive mucus production, which blocks the intestines as a result of dairy consumption. Not only does this mucus interfere with the passage of food through the intestine, it coats the walls of the gut so preventing efficient absorption of nutrients and contributing to deficiencies and allergies.

Goat’s Milk and Children

Pure goat’s milk cannot be given to babies as its protein content is too high (as is that of cow’s milk). The benefits of goat’s milk have, however, been captured in formula feeds, which are adjusted to be more suitable nutritionally. Substituting goat’s milk for cow’s milk has been seen to alleviate severe eczema in young children. Some youngsters are so sensitive to cow’s milk that they react to its presence in breast-milk when their mothers consume dairy foods.

Introducing cow’s milk at a young age can cause several problems at a later age, and goat’s milk is therefore a good food if breast-feeding is impracticable. Soya-based formula milks are often used in such cases, but they contain added sugars and can lead to tooth decay, therefore again goat’s milk formulas are often preferable.

Goat’s Milk in Adulthood

Many adults choose to convert to goat’s milk simply because they find it easier to digest, and it alleviates uncomfortable bloating. Some migraine sufferers, too, find their symptoms subside if they remove dairy products from their diet.

Of course, the benefits seen in children can also be experienced by adults. Less mucus in the intestines promotes effective nutrient uptake, and thus enhances well-being. Persistent catarrh can also be a reaction to cow’s milk, which clears when dairy products are eliminated from the diet. In such cases it may be wise to avoid milk altogether, but if milk is desired in the diet, goat’s milk is a softer option that the body may better tolerate.

A Comparison of Human / Sheep / Soya / Cow / Goat

and Nanny Goat Milk Composition

Ref: McCance and Widdowson 5th Ed.

The high level of protein in cow's and goat’s milk would stress an infant's liver to de-aminate the surplus amino acids and stress the kidneys to excrete the urea.

Goat’s milk contains no gamma casein. Goat’s milk casein has only half the curd tension of cows and the flocculent particles are fine in contrast to the typically coarse particles of cow’s milk curd.