Milk Composition, Its Constituents and Nutritional Importance

Living beings require food for various purposes like growth, reproduction, supply of energy, maintenance and recovery from diseases at different stages of their life.These functions are met from foods of different sources. Amongst different foods milk is a mixture par excellence which contribute towards nutrition of human beings. Milk is taken by the infant from birth to weaning, by the adults as well as old and sick. Some of the dairy products are also recommended as a part of the diet of such persons. The need and function of food varies as per the requirement of the individuals. Thus an infant requires food for growth and maintenance while a pregnant and lactating woman nutrient function is for the development of foetus and synthesis of milk. Food must also meet sense of taste and appetite. Milk and milk products have an unique position as a source of nutrients. Each of the milk constituent plays an important role in the life span of an individual.