This morning while doing my usual morning tread mill routine, I came across an article in Harrowsmith which took me back to the days when we took the kids (children) out to grandma and grandpa’s to get fresh goat milk. They thought it was great when grandma would get out her milking stool, sit down beside Nanny and next thing they knew it, her milk pail was half full. Luckily, our kids ( children) liked Nanny’s milk (I never quite acquired a taste for it) as our oldest had an allergy to cow’s milk. And we were lucky to be able to go directly to the source. I think that was the best part for the kids (children).
Since I write cookbooks for people with allergies, I was particularly interested in the part of the article asking the question: Is goat milk really healthier? Dr. John Coombs of Perth, Ontario answers that question. I have summarized his response below.
1. It is easier to digest because goat’s milk forms curd flakes more finely and rapidly than cow’s milk.
2. It is the protain in milk that triggers allergy symptoms eg. eczema, asthma, and recurring ear infections. Dr. Coombs states that there is enough difference between the protein in goat’s milk that those who are only moderately allergic to cow’s milk often can tolerate limited quantities of goat’s milk.
3. Goat’s milk , straight from the goat, is naturally homgenized. It takes much longer for the cream to rise. Research shows that when milk is mechanically homogenized and fat globules are broken up by force, it frees an enzyme called xanthine oxidase which can penetrate the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. This enzyme is capable of scar damage to the heart and arteries, which in turn stimulates the the release of cholesterol into the blood in an attempt to form a protective fatty material over the scarred area.This can lead to arteriosclerosis.
Dr. Coombs goes on to say that if a person is lactose intoerant, goat’s milk should not be substituted for cow’s milk.
For other ideas for dairy substiutes, or dairy-free recipes go to my web site at www.edible-options.com
