Milk is an important source of growth supporting minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.
These minerals are especially important during catch up growth after a period of weight loss.
Mineral in milk are mainly present as soluble salts or in colloidal form associated with caseins.
Milk contains about 30 different minerals, but only a few of them are present in greater than trace amounts.
The mineral and trace elements content of cow milks is not constant but is influenced by a number of factors, such as stage of lactation, nutritional status of the mother, and environmental and genetic factors.
The two most abundant are calcium and phosphorus.
Although milk is rich in calcium, it may not be the best way to obtain this mineral. The dosages appropriate for the needs of small calves not for human beings.
Calcium constitutes about 30 percent of the total minerals in milk. In turn, about 30 percent of the total calcium is soluble.
Cow milk contributes a little to dietary intakes of sodium, but some dairy products, such as chesses and butter contain added salt and can be significant sources of sodium in some countries.
Cow’s Milk Minerals
