Cows' Milk

In what food source is the nutrient found?

Whole milk, low-fat milk, fat-free milk, skim milk, and dry powdered milk are all forms of cows' milk. Other products made from cows' milk include:

How does the nutrient affect the body?

Cows' milk and dairy products are the best food sources of calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients help promote bone growth. If you get the milk you need each day, you are more likely to maintain strong bones throughout your life. Cows' milk also provides the high-quality protein that young children need for healthy growth and development. Plus, milk is fortified with vitamin A, which helps promote healthy skin, hair, bones, teeth, and mucous membranes. Vitamin A also helps you see in dim light.

Rarely, a person might have an allergy to the protein in milk, called lactose. Lactose allergy is more common in infants and young children than in adults, and most children do outgrow it. Those people who are allergic to lactose must avoid all dairy products. But there are other people who have a less severe reaction to milk. This condition is called lactose intolerance, and people who have it can eat or drink dairy products that have most of the lactose removed from them.