Why it's a Better Choice for You and Your Child: the Facts
Its FRESHER, . . . SAFER too
White Egret Farm goat milk is supplied to the consumer within 48 hours after milking. This ensures that the consumer has the freshest product possible. Freshness is associated with a higher level of the bioactive components naturally found in unpasteurized milk, and fresher, cleaner flavor.
BOOR, et al., 1998. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE, 81:1743-1748; RODRIGUEZ, et al., 1999. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD CHEMISTRY, 47:1520-1524; BISHOP, et al., 1986. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE, 69:3002-3004; AND CLAEYS, et al., 2001. JOURNAL OF DAIRY RESEARCH, 68:95-107
By contrast, mass produced dairy products are first shipped to a processor, who then ships the milk to a wholesaler, who ships to a retailer. Milk purchased from the shelves of grocery stores may be 3 - 4 weeks old before it is consumed.
RAVANIS, et al., 1995. LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, 20(3):164-7 AND PATEL, et al., 1972. JOURNAL OF MILK AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY, 35(4): 203-206
Pure Milk without Drug Residues
Because White Egret Farm Goat Milk is produced with care on a family farm, it provides a "cleaner" source of raw milk, than commercial cow's milk. The US Government Accounting Office reports that more than 30% of commercial milk samples contain measurable levels of contaminants, such as antibiotic residues, or pesticides. Is this what you want your child to be drinking? At White Egret Farm no antibiotics, growth hormones, BST, or other contaminants are fed to our animals. This assures the consumer that they are getting just pure milk.
FDA, 1990. FDA PESTICIDE PROGRAM, RESIDUES IN FOODS, 1989, JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS, 73(5):127A-146A; BOOR, et al., 1998. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE, 81:1743-1748; AND JAYARAO, et al., 1999. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE,82:2620-2624
Because goat milk is naturally homogenized, it is actually a safer product in some important ways. The mechanical homogenization process required for cow's milk releases the enzyme, xanthine oxidase, which has been shown to invade the blood stream and create scar damage to the heart and arteries. This damage stimulates the body to release cholesterol to lay protective fatty material on scars, causing arteriosclerosis. In naturally homogenized goat milk, this is not a problem because there is little or no absorption of this enzyme.
OSTER, 1983 THE XO FACTOR.
Regular Inspections by TEXAS DEPT. OF HEALTH
White Egret Farm goat milk is required to meet the same final product health standards as pasteurized milk. But, importantly, the milk is produced in a cleaner environment with less crowded conditions than commercial cow dairies. And, White Egret Farm's staff clean constantly. Therefore, we are able to produce milk with low bacterial counts, without the use of the high heat of pasteurization (>178° F in a local dairy plant). In fact, raw cow's milk coming into a dairy plant may legally contain 5 times the bacteria of White Egret Farm goat milk.
TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE TITLE 25, PART 1, §217
Goat Milk is non-Allergenic
Goat milk does not contain the complex of proteins that are the main stimulants of allergic reactions to cow dairy products. Therefore, it does not stress/depress the immune system. Seven percent (7%) of U.S. children show symptoms of cow-milk allergy such as wheezing, congestion, frequent ear infections, eczema, skin rashes and digestive troubles. In the vast majority of cases, these problems are eliminated when goat milk is substituted for cow's milk.
BISHOP, et al., 1990. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, 116:862-867; PARK, 1994. SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH, 14:151-159; AND WALKER, 1965. BRITISH GOAT SOCIETY YEARBOOK, 24-26:23-26
Goat Milk does NOT Suppress the Immune System
The American Pediatrics Association recommends no child under the age of 12 months have cow milk. A recently published study from New Zealand confirmed earlier reports that consumption of cow milk by children was correlated to the incidence of insulin dependent diabetes. Data from ten countries where people regularly drank cow milk were
Goat Milk Contains Twice the Healthful Medium Chain Fatty Acids
In comparison to cow milk, goat milk contains twice the content of medium chain fatty acids, such as capric and caprylic acids. These fatty acids are highly antimicrobial. They are so powerful, that authorities had to devise different tests for the presence of antibiotics in goat milk. The fatty acids killed the bacteria used to test for the presence of antibiotics in cow milk. Capric and caprylic acids are used today in dietary supplements to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans and other yeast species. Medium chain fatty acids are often called "the fats that act like carbohydrates". They are immune and energy enhancing.
ELLIOTT, et al.,1999. DIABETOLOGIA, 42(3): 292-6 AND KARJALAINEN, et al., 1992. NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, 327:302-307
Goat Milk is Easier to Digest than Cow Milk
Goat milk has smaller protein molecules than cow milk, and the fat molecules in goat milk have thinner, more fragile membranes, and are half the size of those in cow milk. This leads to an average curd tension that is literally ½ that of cow milk (36 grams for goat milk and 70 grams for cow milk). Curds from milk form in the digestive tract or during cheese or yogurt making (anywhere that the milk is subjected to acid). Having less curd tension means that the milk is less "tough", and easier to digest. Dr. Bernard Jensen showed that goat milk will digest in a baby's stomach in 20 minutes, whereas pasteurized cow milk takes 8 hours. The difference is in the structure of the milk.
ATTAIE, et al., 2000. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE, 83:940-944 AND JENSEN, 1994. GOAT MILK MAGIC: ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST HEALING FOODS, ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA
Our Goat Milk Is NOT Denatured by High Heat
All food components, and especially proteins are three-dimensional structures. Nature created the three-dimensional structures, so that, digestive enzymes could "lock" onto them during the digestive process. Digestive enzymes were meant to "fit" onto foods much like the pieces of a puzzle fit together.
LEHNINGER, A.L. 1982. PRINCIPLES OF BIOCHEMISTRY, WORTH PUBLISHERS, INC. NEW YORK
During pasteurization, the high heat-treatment collapses (denatures) protein structures. Therefore, instead of being open and lattice-like, the proteins become harder, and more ball-like. This makes it difficult for the body's digestive enzymes to "dock" and begin the digestive process. It also means that a longer time will be required for digestion, because the protein now has less surface area on which enzymes can act.
Goat Milk as a Substitute for Those Who Are Lactose Intolerant
Goat milk and goat milk products can be tolerated by most of those who are lactose intolerant. Because unpasteurized goat milk is digested very rapidly, lactose (the main sugar found in milk), does not remain for long periods of time in the intestines, where it can ferment or cause an osmotic imbalance, followed by digestive upset. Additionally, goat milk contains 7% less lactose than cow milk.
PARK, 1991. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE, 74:3326-3333, AND BOWLES AND CHURCH, 1985, FOOD VALUES OF PORTIONS COMMONLY USED
Goat Milk Soothes the Digestive Tract
Goat milk has more buffering capacity than over-the-counter antacids. Goat milk has long been used and recommended as a supplement to reduce indigestion, and to help soothe irritated areas in the stomach or intestines. Both USDA and Prairie View A&M University in Texas have confirmed that goat milk has more acid buffering capacity than cow milk, soy infant formula and nonprescription antacid drugs.
PARK, 1991. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE, 74:3326-3333, AND GAMBLE, J.A., ELLIS, N.R., BESLEY, A.K., 1939. COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF GOAT'S MILK AS COMPARED WITH COW'S MILK. TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 671, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 209280-40-1.
Mothers observe that children on goat milk sleep through the night and remain more "satisfied" between feedings. Other components in unpasteurized goat milk help to heal and protect the lining of the digestive tract, and to speed assimilation of nutrients (See Table on Page 6).
Goat Milk Is an Alkalinizer of the System
Goat milk is a rare dairy food in that it has an alkaline ash. This means that it does not produce acid in the intestinal system. Acidic blood and intestinal pH levels have been associated by researchers with fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and pains, sore pressure points, excess weight, blood sugar imbalances, and excessive yeast populations. Goat milk helps to increase the pH of the blood stream because it is the highest dairy product in the amino acid L-glutamine. L-glutamine is an alkalinizing amino acid, often recommended by nutritionists.
MEHAIA, M.A., 1989. STUDIES ON CAMEL AND GOAT MILK PROTEINS: NITROGEN DISTRIBUTION AND AMINO ACID COMPOSITION. NUTRITION REPORTS INTERNATIONAL, 39 (2):351-357.
Goat Milk Contains Twice the Healthful Medium Chain Fatty Acids
In comparison to cow milk, goat milk contains twice the content of medium chain fatty acids, such as capric and caprylic acids. These fatty acids are highly antimicrobial. They are so powerful, that authorities had to devise different tests for the presence of antibiotics in goat milk. The fatty acids killed the bacteria used to test for the presence of antibiotics in cow milk. Capric and caprylic acids are used today in dietary supplements to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans and other yeast species. Medium chain fatty acids are often called "the fats that act like carbohydrates". They are immune and energy enhancing.
HAENLEIN, G.F.W. GOAT MANAGEMENT: LIPIDS AND PROTEINS IN MILK, PARTICULARLY GOAT MILK. DELAWARE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
HTTP://BLUEHEN.AGS.UDEL.EDU/DECES/GOATMGT/GM-08.HTM, AND HINCKLEY, L.S., 1991. QUALITY STANDARDS FOR GOAT MILK. DAIRY, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION, 11(9): 511-512.
Goat Milk Does Not Produce Mucous
Goat milk is not mucous forming, and does not produce the sticky feeling in the back of the throat that is often experienced with cow milk products. This property is probably due to the fact that goat milk products do not stimulate a defense response from the human immune system.
JENSEN, 1994. GOAT MILK MAGIC: ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST HEALING FOODS, ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA
Goat Milk Is a Rich Source of the Trace Mineral Selenium
The trace mineral selenium is very commonly deficient in the human body. It is a necessary nutrient, however, for its immune modulation and antioxidant properties. Recently, selenium deficiency has been linked to HIV/AIDS and other viral diseases. Selenium works two ways in the body: it helps to control the human immune system, upgrading it when necessary, and downgrading it when it is overactive, such as in auto-immune diseases; selenium also works directly on viruses themselves, preventing them from replicating. Selenium improves T cell function and modulates the production of interleukin, both important components of the immune system.
BAUM, et al., 2000. JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND PATRICK, et al., 1999. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE REVIEW
A recent publication has shown that goat milk is the highest source of selenium of any of the milks. Importantly, it contains more than 2.5 times the selenium of powdered infant formula (19.98 mg/l vs. 7.47 mg/l) and nearly 35% more than pasteurized cow milk (19.98 mg/l vs. 14.85 mg/l). Pasteurization was shown by the same researchers to reduce the availability of selenium in commercial cow's milk by 10%. Goat milk is also a richer source of selenium than human breast milk, which contains 15.69 mg/l.
RODRIGUEZ, E.M., SANZ ALAEJOS, M., DIAZ ROMERO, C., 1999. CHEMOMETRIC STUDIES OF SEVERAL MINERALS IN MILKS. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD CHEMISTRY, 47: 1520-4.
MOTHER NATURE IS VERY CLEVER
Mother Nature has created a system that protects the wholesomeness of raw milk products, including human breast milk. As it was intended, natural milk contains many bio-active components, which serve to retard the growth of harmful organisms, and to protect the health of the person consuming them.
Given a clean milk supply, harmful organisms are kept in check by components like lactoferrin, which "steals" iron from disease-producing bacteria. Interestingly, lactoferrins are also involved in stimulating the human immune system. Mothers looking for a transition from breast milk, could make no better choice, than to use all of the available mechanisms that nature has provided to protect and nourish babies. Those elements are all found in goat milk.
BENOY, M.J., ESSY, A.K., SREEKUMAR, B., HARIDAS, M., 2000. THIOCYANATE MEDIATED ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTY OF GOAT MILK LACTOPEROXIDASE. LIFE SCIENCE, 66(25):2433-9, AND BENOY, M.J., MANOJ, N.K., HARIDAS, M., 1998. ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTY OF GOAT MILK LACTOPEROXIDASE. INDIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, 36: 808-11.
