HYPOALLERGENIC AND THERAPEUTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF GOAT MILK

Pathogenesis of cow milk allergy indicates that multiple immunological mechanisms exist. Two types of food allergy reactions occur in infant s, children and adults. They are reaginic (IgE mediated) or nonreagini c. About 7% of children in the US have symptoms of cow milk allergy, e ven though almost all children under age 3 yr have circulating milk an tibodies. Beta-Lactoglobulin (molecular weight 36 000) is the major wh ey protein of cow milk, not found in human breast milk and mostly resp onsible for cow milk allergy. Clinical symptomology for patients aller gic to bovine milk proteins include: rhinitis, diarrhea, vomiting, ast hma, anaphylaxis, urticaria, eczema, chronic catarrh, migraine, coliti s and epigastric distress. Goat milk has been recommended as a substit ute for patients allergic to cow milk. Between 40 to 100% of patients allergic to cow milk proteins tolerate goat milk. Although some caprin e milk proteins have immunological crossreactivity with cow milk prote ins, infants suffering from gastrointestinal allergy and chronic enter opathy against cow milk were reportedly cured by goat milk therapy. Th e higher protein, nonprotein N and phosphate in caprine milk give it g reater buffering capacity compared to cow milk. Some physico-chemical properties of caprine milk such as smaller fat globules, higher percen t of short and medium chain fatty acids, and softer curd formation of its proteins are advantageous for higher digestibility and healthier l ipid metabolism relative to cow milk. Goat milk also has a greater iro n bioavailability in anemic rats than cow milk. Further studies of the hypoallergenic and therapeutic significance of goat milk to humans ar e very much needed.