Unfortunately many adults gradually lose the necessary digestive enzymes from their gastrointestinal tract, and they become intolerant of milk. However, if it can be tolerated then milk is a very good food from infancy through old age.
Whether you're 7 or 77, drinking milk at any age is important for good health.
Milk and other dairy products are the top source of saturated fat in the American diet, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Studies have also linked dairy to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Milk is a good source of calcium, protein and vitamin B12, all of which are critical nutrients for older adults.
Around 30 years of age, there is zero production of lactase. Without the lactase enzyme, the milk reaches the large intestine directly and the bacteria present can cause indigestion. He advised that a person mustn't have milk just before going to bed at night since it could still cause problems with digestion.
One of the main reasons dairy is often recommended for seniors is its high calcium content. A typical serving of dairy has 276 milligrams of calcium, and seniors need 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. Seniors need this much calcium because it's important for keeping the bones healthy.
Adult men and women above the age of 50 should aim for three cups of dairy per day. This intake can be satisfied via a number of dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese and calcium-fortified soy milk. It may also include milk-based desserts, such as ice cream, frozen yogurt and milk-based puddings.
Drinking milk is beneficial for health regardless of your age. Milk is an excellent vitamin D and calcium source to keep up muscle strength, maintain healthy bones, and prevent osteoporosis. Still, low or non-fat milk is the best choice for the elderly.
If stored above 40 °F, milk will begin to develop signs of spoilage, including sour odor, off-flavor and curdled consistency. Remember that milk should be taken from the store and quickly placed in your refrigerator at home so that the temperature does not rise above 40 °F.
Full cream milk may also be the best choice for adults over 70 years, especially if they are underweight, frail or recovering from surgery or a fall. High energy, high protein diets for the elderly often recommend custards, rice pudding and hot chocolate drinks made with full cream milk.
Drinking too much milk can cause digestive issues such as bloating, cramps, and diarrhea. If your body is not able to break down lactose properly, it travels through the digestive system and is broken down by gut bacteria. Because of this reason, gassiness and other digestive issues can happen.
It takes just a single glass of milk to achieve 25% of the daily recommendation for calcium and 15% of the recommendation for vitamin D. No matter your age, drinking milk regularly can help maintain muscle and preserve bone strength to lower risk for fractures and osteoporosis.
So it's usually recommended that kids 1 to 2 years old drink whole milk. Then, if their growth is steady, it's safe to switch to low-fat or nonfat (skim) milk. Note: Kids at risk of becoming overweight can be switched to lower-fat milk before turning 2.
Even though all adults experience a decline in lactase enzymes as they age, genetic makeup has a lot to do with how quickly the decline proceeds. Some ethnic groups are more prone than others.
Just one week without dairy consumption can make you feel less bloated and your skin look clearer if dairy had been affecting skin conditions. Depending on your level of sensitivity to it, you might also start to feel a bit more alert, since dairy is known to make some people feel sluggish.
Enjoying a healthy, balanced diet is just as important in our senior years as when we are younger. The rich mix of nutrients in milk and dairy foods make them a valuable part of the diets of older people, including providing calcium, protein, phosphorus and vitamin B12.
Dairy. "This is an incredibly important food group for people as they get older," Stadler says. "Calcium needs are high and they stay high, and you can't get any other foods with as much calcium as dairy."
In Europe and other parts of the world, another technique called ultra-heat-treated pasteurization, or UHT, is used. Milk is exposed to higher temperatures of 284°F for three seconds, decimating virtually all the bacteria and making it shelf-stable for about six months if left unopened.
The KU Medical Center research team found that older adults who drink three cups of dairy milk a day can increase their brain's level of glutathione (GSH), a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the brain from some of the damage that accompanies aging and aging-related diseases.
Which type of milk is the healthiest? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise that people choose fat-free or low fat milk instead of whole milk. This approach is to help keep a person's saturated fat intake to less than 10% of calories per day and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Goat Milk Promotes Anti-Aging
Goat milk contains two key nutrients — lactic acid and Vitamin A — that make it an effective fighter against fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
The recommendation for milk, cheese, yoghurt and/or alternatives for women is: 2.5 serves/day for women 19-50 years of age; and, 4 serves/day for women 50 years of age and over.
Low-fat milk, almond milk and soymilk offer substantial amounts of calcium, protein and other nutrients good for bone and muscle health, which is extremely important for older adults. If you're looking for a lower-calorie drink, unsweetened almond milk can have as few as 30 calories in eight ounces.