A review of the nutritional and health aspects of goat milk in cases of intestinal resection

The objective of this paper is to review the beneficial effects of the dietary inclusion of goat milk on the utilization of protein, fat and minerals (Ca, P Mg Fe, Cu, Zn and Se), which affect malabsorption syndrome caused by resection of the intestine The consumption of a goat milk-based diet compared to bovine milk, has shown a higher protein efficiency ratio, protein digestibility nitrogen balance and food conversion ratio in rats with resection of the distal small intestine Goat milk diet also improves digestive utilization of fat, reduces fecal losses and decreases plasma triglycerides Goat milk diet increases the biliary secretion of cholesterol and causes a decrease in plasma cholesterol levels whereas the levels of bile phospholipids, biliary acid and lithogenic index remain normal In relation to mineral bioavailability apparent digestibility coefficients and the balance of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc are higher after the consumption of a goat milk diet compared to bovine milk diet in resected rats, despite the intestinal absorptive surface being reduced by 50% due to intestinal resection Based on the particular biological nutritional and metabolic characteristics these reports suggest that goat milk can be an excellent natural food in cases of malabsorption syndrome as an alternative to bovine milk