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Educate your patients on the importance of 3-A-Day of Dairy: Here's
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tool (PDF: 618k) to show families how to get their 3-A-Day of Dairy
every day for stronger bones.
Developed in conjunction with The American Academy of Family
Physicians, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Dietetic
Association, and The National Medical Association.
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Dairy Council Digest Archives
EMERGING HEALTH BENEFITS OF DAIRY PROTEINS
Volume 77, Number 4 July/August 2006
Summary
Cow’s milk is an excellent source of high quality protein, providing all of the essential amino acids needed by humans. Emerging scientific findings indicate that milk proteins – casein and whey and their bioactive peptides and amino acids – provide a variety of health benefits not previously recognized. As a result of this new knowledge and advances in technologies to isolate healthful protein components from milk, dairy proteins are being incorporated as value-added ingredients in a variety of foods and beverages.
Dairy protein, by virtue of being a high quality protein with an amino acid composition similar to that of the human body and a rich source of branched chain amino acids, especially leucine, helps support normal maintenance and growth of muscle. Adequate body muscle is important not only for physical performance/athletics, but also for overall health and prevention of disease. Data from independent human intervention trials have been remarkably consistent in demonstrating the ability of dairy protein (in the form of whey, casein, fluid milk, or extracted milk protein) to stimulate whole body and muscle protein synthesis under resting and exercise conditions. Findings supporting the beneficial role of dairy proteins in building and maintaining muscle mass lay the foundation for structure-function label claims on foods and beverages containing milk-derived proteins.
Dairy proteins, because of their high content of leucine, are of interest in weight control. Leucine has a unique role in increasing fat loss and promoting lean muscle tissue, as well as regulating blood glucose levels. Also, dairy proteins may contribute to satiety and suppress food intake, at least in the short-term. Because of their ability to help promote a desirable body composition (i.e., increase lean muscle mass) and to improve recovery from exercise, intake of dairy protein is important for physically active people seeking to optimize performance.
Studies in spontaneously hypertensive rats and some investigations in humans demonstrate that dairy protein reduces high blood pressure. A hypotensive effect of both whey and casein hydrolysates has been shown in hypertensive adults. Casein and whey are rich sources of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides which have been shown to reduce blood pressure. The antihypertensive effect of dairy proteins has led to the manufacturing and marketing of dairy protein-enhanced beverages to reduce blood pressure.
In addition to the above emerging roles for dairy proteins, studies suggest their potential beneficial effect in bone and dental health and protection against toxins, bacteria, and viruses. As dairy proteins’ role in health continues to grow, consumers can expect to see an increasing number of products on the market aimed at promoting the functional ingredient potential of milk protein.
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