Cow's milk in treatment of moderate and severe undernutrition in low-income countries

Cow's milk products have a central role in treatment of under nutrition, and the introduction of products with a high milk content (F-100 and ready to use therapeutic foods) has resulted in marked improvements in weight gain and reduction in mortality. Milk also has a specific effect on linear growth. Milk protein has a high quality score (PDCAAS) and contains many peptides and other bioactive factors, which might have special effects on recovery from under nutrition. Milk is an important source of minerals supporting growth (type II nutrients), such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, and the high lactose content also seems to support growth due to a prebiotic effect and improved absorption of minerals. The risk that the use of cow's milk products suppresses breastfeeding should be prevented by supporting mothers in breastfeeding. There is consensus that children with severe under nutrition should be treated with products with high milk content, but because of the high cost of milk there is a need to perform more studies to determine the minimal amount of milk protein needed to make a clinically relevant difference in treating the 36 million children with moderate wasting. Such studies should not only focus on weight gain but also on linear growth, body composition, physical activity and cognitive development.