Vitamin Information Center

ORGANIC MILK has been found to be a valuable dietary source of vitamins and antioxidants, almost next in effectiveness to fruits and vegetables.

Higher vitamins and nutrients in organic milk

A recent research conducted by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Newcastle has revealed that organic milk is 50 per cent higher in the alpha tocopherol compound of Vitamin E, 75 percent higher in beta carotene, which is used by our bodies to convert to vitamin A, and has almost three times higher antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthine) than non organic cow milk.

The report also stated that organic milk contains higher levels of omega three essential fatty acids. This is mainly because organic cows are not only pastured grazed, but are also fed with more quantity of red clover than conventional cows. Red clover contains large amount of omega three which ultimately reaches us through the organic milk.

Another research from the University of Liverpool showed that organic milk contains 68 per cent more omega three essential fatty acids. Omega three deficiencies has been the major cause of various health problems such as heart disease, inflammations (in skin diseases such as eczema), cancer, arthritis, etc.

Powerful antioxidants in organic milk

Both beta-carotene and Alpha tocopherol, the most active of vitamin E compounds, function as powerful antioxidants. While the former helps reduce the risk of developing cancer, the other counters the harm caused by free radicals, which cause ageing. Beta-carotene is useful for strong eyesight, greater resistance to infections, good skin, bone growth, tooth development, reproduction and gene expression. Major studies have found that these nutrients don’t have much value, if taken as supplements, instead of directly from food items.

Lutein and zeaxanthine antioxidants, which are vitamins in the vitamin A category, help prevent cataracts, macular degeneration (deteriorating eye sight as we age) and atherosclerosis (when the blood vessels block up). Women get 17.5 per cent of the required intake of vitamin E and men 14 percent by drinking a pint of organic milk a day. A pint of milk also provides the same quantity of beta-carotene as a portion of some vegetables such as Brussels sprouts.

Benefits from meeting organic requirements

Grass or grain, feed for organic farm cows has to be grown without pesticides. Cows reared in organic farms and fed on a rich diet of forage, fresh grass and clover, develop to become healthier. It is mandatory for United State Development Agriculture (USDA) organic labeled milk to come from cows that has not been treated with bovine growth hormone (BGH) to increase milk production.

Another vital requirement for organic cows is that they must have access to pastures. Studies have found that organic milk has more Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). CLA promotes metabolic rate, immunity to diseases and muscle growth, and at the same time, brings down abdominal fat, cholesterol, and allergic reactions. Cows that are grazed on pastures have been found to produce 500 per cent more CLA in its milk than cows that are fed fodder. There has been increased in the interest of organic milk after recent research on animals showed that CLA is beneficial in cancer treatment.

Non-organic cows

The research found no additional nutritional benefits in non-organic cows. Such cows are fed on a cheaper diet, high in energy rich concentrates to increase milk yields. Non-organic farmers also freely use GM cattle feed, urea and solvent extracted feeds and waste from food factories.

Vitamins D is a fat-soluble seco-sterol hormone precursor that is responsible for sustaining optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus in our blood stream. To some extent, Vitamin D is manufactured by our skin though exposure to sunlight. The best time for sunlight exposure is during the spring and fall seasons.. Winter sunlight is too weak for the production of Vitamin D. Many of us do not get enough exposure to sunlight during the year. We have been convinced that the sun is not good for our skin, so when we are exposed to sun we have come to use clothing and sun screen to “protect” ourselves from the sun. Most of us spend most of our time indoors. These factors have resulted in making Vitamin D deficiency a common if not major health problem. It has also been found that older people and many younger women, especially African-American women, and those who live in Northern climates with less time exposure to sunlight are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency.
Continue Reading…