The Amazing Benefits of Goat Milk Discovered

Dairy products can become a shield against age-related muscle loss - new research

Regular consumption of dairy products may slow down the development of sarcopenia - age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. This conclusion was reached by researchers who published their work in Food Science & Nutrition: in experiments on mice, four types of dairy products improved muscle tissue indicators and reduced inflammation.

Scientists studied the effects of whole and skimmed goat milk, as well as a variant enriched with vitamin D and calcium, and compared them with cow's milk. For eight weeks, mice with induced sarcopenia were given these products. All variants increased muscle tissue mass and activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway responsible for muscle growth and recovery. The most pronounced effect was observed with goat milk supplemented with vitamin D and calcium: it enhanced the expression of genes associated with muscle regeneration.

Additionally, the products reduced levels of inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and normalized autophagy processes, promoting cell cleansing and renewal. Microbiota analysis showed an increase in beneficial bacteria, including Leuconostoc and Lactococcus.

The authors emphasize that the results were obtained on a mouse model, but they provide new grounds for considering dairy products - especially those enriched with vitamin D and calcium - as a potential tool for preventing and slowing down sarcopenia.