Milk Proteins, Peptides, and Oligosaccharides: Effects against the 21st Century Disorders

Abstract

Milk is the most complete food for mammals, as it supplies all the energy and nutrients needed for the proper growth and development of the neonate. Milk is a source of many bioactive components, which not only help meeting the nutritional requirements of the consumers, but also play a relevant role in preventing various disorders. Milk-derived proteins and peptides have the potential to act as coadjuvants in conventional therapies, addressing cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, intestinal health, and chemopreventive properties. In addition to being a source of proteins and peptides, milk contains complex oligosaccharides that possess important functions related to the newborn's development and health. Some of the health benefits attributed to milk oligosaccharides include prebiotic probifidogenic effects, antiadherence of pathogenic bacteria, and immunomodulation. This review focuses on recent findings demonstrating the biological activities of milk peptides, proteins, and oligosaccharides towards the prevention of diseases of the 21st century. Processing challenges hindering large-scale production and commercialization of those bioactive compounds have been also addressed.

The impact of doubling dairy or plant-based foods on consumption of nutrients of concern and proper bone health for adolescent females

“…This category includes ‘Beans, peas and legumes’, ‘Nuts and seeds’ and ‘Processed soy products’ ( 32 ) . Nutrient composition of dairy was based on the dairy food composite used by the US Department of Agriculture for dietary pattern analyses ( 33 ) . Adequate protein intake was based on grams of protein per kilogram of body weight and grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight as recommend by the Dietary Reference Intakes ( 34 ) .…”

Insulinotropic Effects of Whey: Mechanisms of Action, Recent Clinical Trials, and Clinical Applications

“…Studies show whey protein consumption has a positive effect on the glycemic response and increases insulin sensitivity [1,2,3,4,5]. Effective doses of whey protein necessary to induce beneficial shifts in postprandial glucose levels or insulin secretion varies between 10 and 55 g when provided with a meal or as a preload [3,6].…”

Milk Collection in the Rat Using Capillary Tubes and Estimation of Milk Fat Content by Creamatocrit

“…Milk is the sole source of nutrition for newborn mammals, providing energy and nutrients for infant growth and development 1,2 . While milk mainly consists of cells, lipids, and protein 1 , it also contains a plethora of bioactive compounds that modulate early life development of offspring including enzymes, carbohydrates, hormones, antibodies, growth factors, cytokines, exosomes, microvesicles, and small RNAs such as microRNA 1,2 .…”

“…While milk mainly consists of cells, lipids, and protein 1 , it also contains a plethora of bioactive compounds that modulate early life development of offspring including enzymes, carbohydrates, hormones, antibodies, growth factors, cytokines, exosomes, microvesicles, and small RNAs such as microRNA 1,2 . The fundamental role of maternal milk in the establishment of offspring immune and intestinal health 3 , coupled with evidence that breastfed infants are less susceptible to disease 2 , highlights the importance of identifying the milk constituents associated with disease processes in early life and the molecular mechanisms involved in their actions. The developing rat is a popular model for investigating the effect of various nutritional, physiological, and chemical interventions on early-life development 4 .…”