Is there any relationship between fat percentage and calcium in milk? What is the percentage of calcium in fat less milk and whole milk?
M. SUMALATHA
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
There is no relationship between percentage of fat and amount of calcium in milk. The calcium dissolves in milk, not in fat layer. The fat layer contains only polysaturated, unsaturated and fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E and K. In case of skimmed milk (fat less milk) the removal of fat layer doesn’t change the amount of calcium in the milk. Therefore, there is no difference in the percentage of calcium in fat less milk and whole milk. A cup of skimmed milk or whole milk provides around 316 mg of calcium.
Nonetheless, one has to notice that vitamin D is essential for absorption of calcium in intestine. As it is mentioned above, vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin is dissolved in the fat layer. The removal of fat layer decreases the amount of vitamin D in skimmed milk. The regular intake of skimmed milk may negatively affect the absorption of calcium in intestine. To make up for this, one can take the other alternative sources of vitamin D in daily diet including cod liver oil, fish, mushrooms, cereals and dairy products such as butter, butter milk, yogurt etc.
PONNAMBILY JOBIN
Lecturer
Faculty of Nursing
Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute University
Chennai
