Aditya Anand Jha1, Kajal Kumari2
1&2Phulo Jhano Murmu College of Dairy Technology; Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834006
E – mail : adityajha880@gmail.com
Introduction:
These are not normal times. The simple things we’ve been doing all our lives, we can’t do anymore. We can’t hug our friends, shake hands or enjoy each other’s company because of a silent enemy called COVID-19. This virus has changed how we live and think around the world.
At times of crisis people turn to things they really need and rely on every day. The everyday essentials. As more and more people are spending time at home due to the very necessary state sanctioned lockdowns or self-imposed social isolation in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, it is not surprising that the very basic need for food is a top priority in many people’s minds.
Billions of people around the world rely on “milk” for their day to day nutritional requirements and it’s not hard to understand why; considering “milk and milk products” are nutrient dense foods, supplying significant amounts of energy, protein and micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, selenium, riboflavin, and vitamins B5 and B12.
How Milk helps in developing the immunity to fight COVID -19:
While milk can be a part of a healthy varied diet, the claims that it can prevent, or cure coronavirus are unfounded and potentially dangerous. The basis of these claims seems to be based on two immune-supporting components found in milk: lactoferrin and vitamin D.
Lactoferrin is a protein found in most secretions from mammals which is especially high in milk. This protein has some antimicrobial properties and research suggests that the transfer of lactoferrin from mother to baby via breastmilk might provide some immune support to the infant’s still developing immune system. While concentrated lactoferrin is promoted as a dietary supplement in foods such as infant formulas, there is no evidence to suggest that the lactoferrin found in cow’s milk imparts any specific immune benefits to humans who drink it.
The second component of milk that is being suggested as beneficial is vitamin D. In the United States, milk is fortified with vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin associated with many functions in the body including growth and immune response. The claim that the vitamin D in milk somehow protects against coronavirus appears to be based on a meta-analysis published in 2017 in the British Medical Journal which found that vitamin D supplementation decreased the risk of acute respiratory infection. It’s important to note that this study investigated vitamin D supplementation at much higher doses than what is found in milk products. It also did not include COVID-19 in its definition of acute respiratory infection. In both cases, the suggestion seems to be that by consuming milk you are providing your body with specific immunity from the virus.
Recent Advancements in Dairy Industry:
Recently, many giants of the dairy industry (including Amul, Mother Dairy and many others) have come forward converting such treacherous times into a perfect opportunity to launch their immunity boosting products such as “ Haldi Doodh {Haldi Latte}, Tulsi Doodh {Tulsi Latte}, Ginger Doodh {Ginger Latte} with Ashwagandha Milk and Honey Milk still in milk and can be launched any soon. The Soul purpose of launching such products are not only in terms of incentives received by the sales of the products but is also a step towards the benefit of mankind as these products contains such ingredients which are mentioned in our “Holy Vedas” for their therapeutic benefits, which hence develops ‘Zero’ hesitation in people in using such products. Once these superfoods i.e., “Turmeric, Holy basil, Ginger, Ashwagandha and Honey” are mixes with the goodness of milk their overall health value increases manifold.
CONCLUSION:
While milk may not impart specific immune benefits to ward off coronavirus, it can be part of a healthy diet that will optimize your health and your body’s readiness to fight off infections of any kind as prevention is always better then cure and let’s hope such vicious pandemic ends as soon as possible.
References:
1. https://www.fil-idf.org/relying-on-dairy-in-a-world-consumed-by-covid-19/ {By Dr Judith Bryans, IDF President}
2. https://extension.psu.edu/exploring-claims-of-milks-protection-against-covid-19
3. https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/the-whole-story-behind-the-power-drink-called-milk/story-WGnIyeAbLAKWaGgqbRdLpN.html
4. https://www.deshgujarat.com/2020/06/10/after-haldi-milk-amul-launches-ginger-and-tulsi-milk-next-in-line-ashwagandha-milk-and-honey-milk/
