calcium absorption in milk

[ian dieudonne]

I was told by a friend that the process Homogonised milk goes through interfers with the calcium in the milk. It makes it less able to be absrbed by the body. Is this true?

Also we freeze our milk..does this also interfere with or damage the nutritional value of milk? That is calcium, protein, fat etc.


:confused: ian dieudonne

[Ice Wolf]

Homogenisation reduces the size of fat molecules in milk, and makes sure they are spread throughout the liquid, and can't rise to the top.

It's interesting, though, how many health and organic-fods sites out there declare that homogenisation interferes with calcium intake by the body. This site, (http://www.soil-health.org.nz/pastissues/marapr03/milk.htm) by the Soil & Health Association of NZ (promoting organic foods), says that it's not homogenisation that impacts on calcium intake, but the phosphorous that is naturally in milk.

As for frozen milk -- fresh is usually better than frozen, in most cases as far as food is concerned.

[Jinx]

Originally posted by ian dieudonne
...Also we freeze our milk..does this also interfere with or damage the nutritional value of milk? - ian dieudonne

You freeze your milk!?!? When you freeze milk, and then try to defrost it for consuming, all the water settles out. Shaking it up is not enough. Either you skim the water and eat mostly milkfat, you enjoy watery milk, or you have your own centrifuge???

Please explain further, if you'd be so kind...
- Jinx :confused:

[Ice Wolf]

I find, I need to amend my earlier statement about frozen milk. Breast milk can and is frozen (http://www.kidsource.com/maternal.conn/milk.storage.html), although for a once-only use only. Apparently, Jinx, it is drinkable.

[Jinx]

Sure, breast milk can be frozen, but! First, who's ever heard of homogenizing breast milk? It's sold as-is, so to speak! Also, the end-users are great consumers of the stuff with little voice to influence the market...unless it's too cold! ;)

In short, they have nothing to compare it to! But, just try pouring defrosted, frozen milk over your Rice Krispies! They'll surely have something to "Snap, Krackle, and Pop" about! - Jinx

[Ice Wolf]

The OP didn't say fozen homogenised milk, Jinx. In that, my original statement stands.

I absolutely agree with your imagery there, and have to add an "Ewwwww..." :p

If ya needs t' preserve the milk, go UHT.

[Exapno Mapcase]

The anti-milk forces thrive on the Internet and you can find a great many sites that state that homogenized milk is bad for you. (An almost equal numbers of food faddists claim that pastuerized milk is bad for you. I wonder what happens when you get the two groups together in the same room.)

The reasons given for avoiding homogenized milk are varied, but most of the research cited belongs to Dr. Kurt Oster. His claim is not about calcium absorption per se, but about cholesterol buildup.

But see this page (http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Topic/AgrEnv/ndd/milking/FACTS_ABOUT_MILK.html):
Xanthine oxidase (XO)--An enzyme found in homogenized milk. Kurt Oster, M.D., a cardiologist, has espoused the theory that XO is able to pass directly from the digestive tract into the blood stream, and once there XO could damage arterial walls and lead to heart attacks. He contends that simmering milk before drinking it will inactivate the enzyme.

The nation's leading research scientists and prominent research institutions have rejected this hypothesis as implausible. Research data indicate that a large protein molecule such as XO cannot enter the digestive tract and pass through it intact into the blood without being broken down by the digestive enzymes. There are no published data to support the opinion that XO can reach the circulatory system in its original form.

And the most important factor in calcium absorption in in fact vitamin D. Here's an FDA page (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/pmo01o.html) with a relevant comment:
Vitamin D is very stable in homogenized whole milk and is not affected by pasteurization or other processing procedures. Vitamin D in fortified homogenized whole milk will remain constant with little or no loss of vitamin potency during long periods of proper storage. No loss of vitamin D will be experienced under normal shelf life periods.

There are no good long-term epidemiological studies that show that homogenized milk interferes with calcium absorption or is otherwise horrible for you. Most claims about food are very suspect because of the lack of this kind of good evidence. Suspect is not the same thing as wrong, of course. Some claims may be substantiated in the future. Right now, however, take food horror stories with the same grain of salt you use for diet drug ads.

[j.c.]

Exapno Mapcase is a fine human being! I raise my cup of creamy coffee in a toast! Three cheers for rational thinking.

[Exapno Mapcase]

Mucho gracias, j.c.. I would use that as a sig if I used a sig.

[ian dieudonne]

Thanks for the response however my questions remain un answered I would appreciate researched fact. i appreciate theat vitamin d has a part of absirption and ensymes...still need to know ..can anyone help...p.s. when the milk is defrosted it comes out the same as it was when it was unfrozen..a bit of a shake and then beautiful ...just don't know if it has been damaged.

[j.c.]

What part of Exapno Mapcase's post didn't answer your question.

First, he displays scope and knowledge. Then he sez: "There are no good long-term epidemiological studies that show that homogenized milk interferes with calcium absorption or is otherwise horrible for you."

[ian dieudonne]

Thanks J.C u have been most helphul. I will do some further research my self on my questions. In the mean time I will continue to drink great kiwi milk even if it has been frozen.

[Blake]

I will continue to drink great kiwi milk

:eek: How short does the stool have to be to milk a Kiwi? And where exactly are their udders?

[ian dieudonne]

Blake u must b an aussie...its ok I forgive u