Cow’s milk is probably the most widely used type of milk in the world. This is because of its nutrition value and its accessibility. People use cow’s milk to wean their infants hence its widespread use across the world. The milk contains most of the major biomolecules that are important for good health. These molecules are proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. In addition, cow’s milk contains minerals and vitamins that also have a significant impact on the human health. To appreciate the importance of the milk to human health, it is important to review the chemical composition of the major biomolecules contained in milk and how they impact human health.
Proteins
Cow’s milk contains about 3.3% proteins. The proteins have all the essential amino acids important in human health. The milk protein has two major chemical components, casein and whey (serum). Both of these are important in human health. Proteins are the building blocks of the muscles, cellular components, skin and the hair (Lock, & Bauman, 2004).The health of these parts of the human body is dependent on the nutritional foods that are taken by an individual. Cow’s milk provides the proteins that are important in the nourishment of these body parts.
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Lipids
Lipids make up about 3.4% of the cow’s milk. Lipids are essential in the human body since they are sources of energy. They are the structural components of the cell membranes and hormones. Fat also cushions the body organs thereby protecting them from mechanical injury. Excess fat is also stored under the skin to act as an insulator that prevents excessive loss of heat in cold weather. This helps in maintaining a favorable internal environment for cell metabolism. Milk fat is made up of complex lipids which are combined to form to form triglycerols. A cow’s milk is made up of more than 400 fatty acids that vary in the carbon atom chain length. Dependent on the number of hydrogen atoms in the carbon chain, the fatty acids can be described as saturated or unsaturated. The omega-6 fatty essential fatty acid linoleic acid and the omega-3 fatty acid are important in human health and can be obtained from a cow’s milk (Lock, & Bauman, 2004).
Carbohydrates
Another important biomolecule in a cow’s milk is carbohydrates. The major carbohydrate in the cow’s milk is a disaccharide called lactose. It forms about 4.9% in the composition of the milk. Carbohydrates are the primary sources of energy in a human body. The energy is used by the body for metabolic activities such as excretion and gaseous exchange. Lactose is a disaccharide made up of two monosaccharides, galactose, and glucose. The carbohydrates are also essential in hormonal control in the human body.
In addition to the above biomolecules, a cow’s milk has important mineral and vitamins that are important in human bodies.
Works Cited
Lock, A. L., & Bauman, D. E. (2004). Modifying milk fat composition of dairy cows to enhance fatty acids beneficial to human health. Lipids, 39(12), 1197-1206.
