Milk more than a nutrient: Hormones, growth factors, and bioactive factors

Milk more than a nutrient: Hormones, growth factors, and bioactive factors

Milch ist mehr als nur ein Nahrungsmittel: Hormone, Wachstumsfaktoren und bioaktive Bestandteile

Schweigert F J

DOI: 10.21836/PEM20010626
Year: 2001
Volume: 17
Issue: 6
Pages: 666-668

Until recently, the biological role of milk has been viewed mostly as a source of nutrients for the newborn mammal, covering energy, protein and lipid demands as well as the supply of essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. However, in addition to the established nutritional value many different factors are present in milk, which exhibit specific physiological activities essential to growth and development of the neonate and to protect against diseases and infections. Milk thus represents a very valuable weapon for enhancing the immature immunologic system of the newborn and for strengthening its deficient host defense mechanisms against infective or other foreign agents and might modulate many physiological functions such as the maturation of gastrointestinal tract and the endocrine system of the neonate.