That said, Cow milk is not very similar to human milk. Both are about 88% water, but human milk has 7% carbohydrate, 1.3% protein, and 4.1% fat. Cow's milk has about 4.5% carbohydrate, 3.3% protein, and 3.9% fat. Calves need to grow quickly, so there's more protein in cow's milk than in human milk.
The calcium content of cow's milk (120mg per 100ml) is nearly four times that of human milk (34mg per 100ml).
Protein in Human Breast Milk. There are two classes of protein in breast milk: Casein and whey. Casein becomes clots or curds in the stomach; while whey remains as a liquid and is easier to digest. Depending on the stage of milk, 80% to 50% of protein in breast milk is whey [11].
By the time your baby is four weeks old, your breast milk will be fully mature. It's rich in protein, sugar, vitamins and minerals, plus numerous bioactive components – such as hormones, growth factors, enzymes and live cells – to support your baby's healthy growth and development.
The phosphorus supply of children and adults is adequate, and usually in excess. Therefore, it is surprising that in breast-fed infants phosphorus intake is very low. This is very rare among mammals.
Breast milk is primarily composed of water, carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Each of these nutrients plays a role in contributing to infant growth and development.
The recommended vitamin C intake in lactating women is 120 mg daily, and for infants aged 6 months or less is 40 mg daily. [1] High daily doses up to 1000 mg increase milk levels, but not enough to cause a health concern for the breastfed infant and is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.
“Along with its antibodies, enzymes and general goodness, breast milk also contains dozens of compounds that have been linked to negative health effects,” reports MOMS, which lists Bisphenol A (BPA, a plastic component), PBDEs (used in flame retardants), perchlorate (used in rocket fuel), perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs
It's true that after six months your baby needs other foods for nutrients that he may not get from your breast milk or his own reserves, including iron, zinc and vitamins B and D.
Cytokines. Breast milk functions to influence the immunological development of the infant through the action of cytokines, one of the most important bioactive components found in human milk. Cytokines are pluripotent polypeptides that act as chemical messengers among cells.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein, containing all of the essential amino acids. Studies suggest that the amino acids provided by eggs are better utilized by your body than other sources like casein or soy.
Nut butter is also a source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles. Although peanut butter is not a complete protein — meaning it does not contain all of the essential amino acids the body needs — it does count toward a person's daily protein intake.
Table 2
| Crude Protein (g/100 g)/Amino Acid (mg/100 g) | Source of Eggs |
|---|
| A | D |
|---|
| Threonine | 454.5 | 424.0 |
| Tryptophan | 118.0 | 132.0 |
| Valine | 613.0 | 564.8 |
The first two limiting amino acids are typically methionine and lysine, so amino acid balancing in rations often means ensuring the ration contains sufficient quantities of these two amino acids.
Complete proteins have all the essential amino acids our bodies need. Animal-based protein like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and cheese are considered complete proteins. Quinoa and soy are plant-based complete proteins. Incomplete proteins don't include all the essential amino acids.
The egg boasts them all: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. These amino acids are present in a pattern that matches very closely the pattern the human body needs, so the egg is often the measuring stick by which other protein foods are measured.
Each essential amino acid must be supplied at the intestine from the diet or from the rumen microbes. The cow also requires “nonessential” amino acids but can make them in sufficient amounts to meet needs.
| Amino Acid | Total Uptake | Mammary Output |
|---|
| Phenylalanine | 4.51 | 4.75 |
| Threonine | 4.76 | 3.72 |
| Valine | 10.01 | 5.89 |
The 9 essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
The term "limiting amino acid" is used to describe the essential amino acid present in the lowest quantity in a food protein relative to a reference food protein like egg whites. The term "limiting amino acid" may also refer to an essential amino acid that does not meet the minimal requirements for humans.[6]
