Milk is a food and an organic liquid usually whitish in color produced by female mammals (including monotremes). Lactation, is for females of these species to produce milk is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. Milk is produced by the secretory cells of glands. Therian mammals, these glands are contained in the breasts. Milk secreted during the first days postpartum is called colostrum.

The primary function of milk is to feed the offspring until it is weaned, that is to say capable of digesting other foods. In some civilizations, the milk of animals (mammals themselves) domestic (cow, sheep, goat, horse, dri (yak), camel, camel, buffalo, reindeer) is commonly consumed.

In milk are also growth factors, such as IGF or lactoferrin. These will include action at the intestinal mucosa, strengthening the defense capabilities of the immune system. These compounds also allow the renewal of the intestinal wall. Finally, they would be responsible in part for the sound development of the lining of the small intestine. In addition, milk helps digestion. Thus, the carbohydrate derivatives milk (lactose but also lactulose, lactitol …) help to develop a quality intestinal flora. Degradation of casein is the source of compounds regulators of intestinal motility, which, moreover, stimulate pancreatic secretion (better digestion and maintaining the pH in the intestine). Finally, milk proteins promote assimilation by the body of minerals (calcium) and trace elements (iron, zinc …).

Another virtue, milk also has a favorable effect on blood pressure. Some milk compounds (peptides), have an antihypertensive effect (shown in animals). Indeed, they act by inhibiting the enzyme conversion of angiotensin, a hormone that is involved in controlling blood pressure.

Many drugs for hypertension are based on this mechanism. In general, some compounds in milk have a reducing effect on stress. Some peptides and action on the nervous system. In addition milk contains much cysteine, an amino acid that allows the formation of glutathione, a hormone responsible for stress. This food also contains tryptophan, a precursor to a well known neurotransmitter, serotonin (very important in behavior or sleep).

The reputation of “health food” that has the milk does not seem well deserved. So remember to eat a dairy product at each meal, for example!