Not Only Children and Teenagers, Eldery Need to Drink Milk Too

Aging is a natural process that cannot be avoided. To maintain good health in eldery age, it is important to understand what happens to our metabolism as we age.

What happens when we age?

In general, the basal metabolic rate decreases with age due to the loss of lean muscle mass (sarcopenia) and an increase in fat accumulation, especially visceral fat.

In addition, as we age, we experience insulin sensitivity, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, and a decrease in mitochondrial efficiency, which affects cellular aging and metabolic stress.

Another thing we can clearly observe is the accumulation of fat around the abdomen, which can be interpreted as the aging of adipose tissue due to hormonal changes and reduced fat storage capacity.

In these circumstances, eldery certainly need to pay attention to their lifestyle and nutritional intake. Research shows that a diet rich in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats supports metabolic health and reduces inflammation.

The importance of drinking milk

One nutritional intake that helps improve the health and fitness of the elderly is milk. Milk contains calcium and vitamin D, which prevent osteoporosis; protein, which supports muscle retention and repair; and is low in saturated fat, which helps reduce cardiovascular risk.

In addition, milk is one of the most easily digestible foods suitable for the elderly. There is a wide variety of milk on the market, some of which are specially formulated for the elderly and contain magnesium, vitamin B, and other nutrients.

Another important function of milk is to maintain hydration and digestion, which are important for seniors who often experience a decreased appetite and digestive problems.

However, it is also important to remember that some seniors may have lactose intolerance, diabetes, or cardiovascular problems, which means they need specific types of milk, such as lactose-free, low-fat, or fortified plant-based milk.

Different types of milk have different nutritional values. 

The nutritional content of milk is influenced by the type of livestock, livestock genetics, and livestock husbandry and feeding conditions. Therefore, we will find differences in the nutritional content of cow’s milk, buffalo milk, and goat milk. Even among dairy cows, there are various breeds such as Holstein (FH), Jersey, Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, and Milking Shorthorn, which also cause differences in the nutritional content of the milk they produce.

In choosing the right milk for the elderly, we must understand the nutritional value of various types of milk. Goat milk, for example, has smaller fat globules and different casein proteins compared to cow milk, making it easier to digest for some elderly people than cow milk. Meanwhile, fortified soy milk offers a complete amino acid profile, which is rarely found among plant-based milk options.

Goat milk is a good choice for seniors because its rich nutritional content of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D helps strengthen bones, increase bone density, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

In addition, goat’s milk is easier to digest because it has smaller fat globules and lower lactose content, making it gentler on the digestive system, which is ideal for seniors who are lactose intolerant or have digestive problems.

Regular consumption of goat milk also supports the immune system, which naturally weakens with age, leading to an overall increase in immunity. In addition, goat milk contains potassium and omega-3 fatty acids that regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which support heart health.

The unique protein structure and essential fatty acid content of goat milk help alleviate inflammation such as arthritis. The tryptophan and phospholipid content of goat milk can also help increase resistance to stress.

Which one to choose?

In general, as explained above, if it is readily available, goat milk is the best choice for the elderly. However, the health conditions of individual seniors vary. Therefore, in general, there are three types of milk recommended for seniors: low-fat milk, milk specifically formulated for seniors, and plant-based milk enriched with nutrients, such as soy milk and almond milk.

Based on the standards of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), seniors are advised to consume milk three times a day, one glass each time. This recommended portion is considered to meet the nutritional intake requirements from milk to help support the health of seniors. This daily milk requirement can be combined with consuming yogurt, cheese, or enriched soy milk.

Thus, milk is not only needed by children and adolescents to support physical growth and development as well as brain health, but it is also essential for the elderly to maintain a healthy lifestyle in their later years.

By: Prof Ronny Rachman Noor 

Professor of Genetics and Animal Breeding 

Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University