Milk and Growth in Children: Effects of Whey and Casein

Abstract

Consumption of cow's milk is recommended in many countries. Observational and intervention studies show that cow's milk most likely has a positive influence on growth in children. The strongest evidence comes from observational studies and intervention studies in low-income countries, but there are also observational studies from high-income countries showing positive associations between milk intake and growth. Milk seems thus to have a specific stimulating effect on linear growth, not only in developing countries with high rates of malnutrition, but also in industrialized countries. However, it is not known which components in milk stimulate growth. Possible components are proteins, minerals, vitamins or combinations of these. Cow's milk proteins have a high protein quality, and whey has a slightly higher quality than casein, according to some indices based on amino acid composition. Studies, mainly from sport medicine, have suggested that whey protein also has the potential to increase muscle mass. Whether whey improves body composition to a larger extent than other milk proteins is not clear. The mechanism behind a possible growth-stimulating effect of milk and milk components is likely to be through a stimulation of insulin-like growth factor-I synthesis and maybe insulin secretion. In conclusion, there is strong evidence that milk stimulates linear growth. The mechanism is not yet clear, and more intervention studies are needed to understand which components in milk are responsible for the growth stimulation. The effects of milk on linear growth and adult height may have both positive and negative long-term implications.

Energetic Efficiency of Infant Formulae: A Review

“…Whey-dominant formulae have a whey-to-casein ratio (60:40) similar to that of human milk in early lactation [29]. Whey has a slightly higher protein quality (protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score) than casein and is more easily digested by the gastrointestinal system [30]. Similar effects of higher whey-to-casein ratios on EE are observed with greater contents of intact whey [12,13,15] or fully hydrolyzed whey [17].…”

Global Dietary Patterns and Diets in Childhood: Implications for Health Outcomes

“…A recent review of the importance of milk in the diets of children concluded that dairy product intake is associated with better linear growth and bone development during childhood [26], even in wealthier countries with a high usual intake of milk [28]. Milk contains bioactive factors and stimulates insulin-like growth factor I and insulin synthesis, and peptides which can stimulate growth [29]. Milk is also a good vehicle for micronutrient fortification [26].…”

Considerations in developing lipid‐based nutrient supplements for prevention of undernutrition: experience from the International Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) Project

“…; Dror & Allen ; Mølgaard et al . ). However, the minimum amount of milk required to stimulate growth is unknown (Michaelsen et al .…”

“…Inclusion of milk products (generally DSM powder, but sometimes whey protein concentrate or sweet whey) also reflects the hypothesis that milk has a positive impact on linear growth, which is supported by some evidence (Mølgaard et al . ). Milk provides high‐quality protein and several nutrients that are essential for growth, in highly bioavailable form.…”

“…Milk provides high-quality protein and several nutrients that are essential for growth, in highly bioavailable form. In addition, milk products may promote growth through other mechanisms, including stimulation of growth factors, as milk intake is associated with serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (Hoppe et al 2006;Dror & Allen 2011;Mølgaard et al 2011). However, the minimum amount of milk required to stimulate growth is unknown (Michaelsen et al 2009).…”