Dairy in India
India is the world's largest producer of milk, at 17% of the global total. The country is estimated to have produced 116 million tonnes of milk in 2011, according to the Indian Dairy Association (IDA). Further, consumption of milk is expected to rise to 150 million tonnes in the next 5 years.
An RNCOS research report titled, 'Indian Dairy Industry Analysis' expects that the milk production in India will grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4 per cent during 2011-2015.
Due to the population growth, it is estimated that India will need around 200-210 million tonnes of milk in the next 10 years. The IDA will be having a conference in the coming year to help develop a strategy for dairy development in the upcoming years.
Families buy dairy locally, directly from a family that owns cows, or from the stores. To get dairy fortified with vitamins and other nutrients like Omega-3s, you have to go to the store.
Omega-3s, essential fatty acids, are important nutrients that most people do not get enough of. With the naturally occurring nutrients in dairy combined with Omega-3s, dairy becomes even more nutritious. Popular dairy products people consume are milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt. There are versions of these products around the entire world that are fortified with Omega-3s.
Importance of Dairy Products
The most notable nutrients in milk are vitamins A and D, and calcium. Vitamin A is important for vision. vitamin D is important for bone and teeth development .Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium which helps keep the body strong. Calcium is important for growing new bone and maintaining bone strength.
To improve upon dairy products' nutritional content, many products are now being fortified with Omega-3s.
Need for Omega-3s
Omega-3s are called essential fatty acids because we need them so our body can function optimally. They are not made in our body and therefore we need to get them from our diet. According to various studies, Omega-3s support cardiovascular health and brain health. Omega-3s can also support cognitive development and function, visual development and function, and can be anti-inflammatory.
Many people around the world are deficient in these important nutrients. In many areas, people are getting a poor balance of Omega-3s to Omega-6s. While both are essential fatty acids, the body needs a lot more of polyunsaturated fats (Omega-3s) than unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-6s). Having a diet consisting of a lot of Omega-6s and few Omega-3s is not optimal.
Key Benefits of DHA Omega-3
DHA Omega-3 is a specific Omega-3 that has been shown in clinical research to improve memory and support overall brain health. For example, a recently published study found that DHA from algae improved memory in older adults.
DHA is the dominant Omega-3 fatty acid in your brain (97%), eye (93%), and a key component of the heart.
While most people believe that fish produce their own DHA, it's actually the algae in their food chain that makes them a rich source of DHA. Algal DHA is another source of DHA that is sustainable and vegetarian. An algae-based source of DHA Omega-3 is life'sDHA.
Dairy Products Fortified with Omega-3s
Omega-3s are not found naturally in dairy products.
Cow milk is one of the primary dairy sources that can be fortified with DHA Omega-3. With the combination of milk properties and DHA Omega-3, drinking this fortified milk can help support bone, and brain health.
Fortified Milk Powder Drink Mixes
Some consumers are looking at alternate ways to include these types of nutrients into their diets. As a result, companies have created these nutrient-packed powdered beverages.
One powdered beverage in India was created by GlaxoSmithKline, called Junior Horlicks, which is a drink for toddlers with DHA Omega-3, calcium, and other nutrients.
Cadbury Bournvita Lil Champs is another drink you can get in India. It's specifically formulated for children 2-5 and it has over 15 vitamins and other nutrients in it including DHA Omega-3.
Drink mixes based with milk powder can add nutrients targeted at specific groups of people. People who do not have access to markets with fresh milk or other dairy products can benefit from using these types of drink mixes. Also milk powder has a very long shelf life, and can be transported globally without a concern for freshness. Milk has a very short shelf life and transporting it can be challenging.
In India, the company British Biologicals made a drink mix specifically for growing children. Their ActiGrow drink mix contains whole milk powder, and is fortified with DHA and other vitamins and minerals specific to children's needs. Glaxo Nutrition ActiGrow has a drink mix fortified with DHA with added vitamins and minerals as well.
The Future of Fortified Foods
Fortified foods will likely continue to grow in popularity because people can eat their favourite foods while still getting important nutrients. Fortified foods can be a convenient way to get essential vitamins. We have over seven billion people on the earth; we face the challenge of providing everyone with enough vitamins on a daily basis. The population is projected to grow to nine billion by 2050 increasing the demand for nutritious food.
Food, beverage and supplement companies can help bridge this nutrient gap with fortified products targeted to different life stages. Our bodies need vitamins to grow, function, stay healthy and prevent the onset of disease.
Where we get vitamins from may become less important than the amount vitamins we are getting in the future. Dairy products fortified with Omega-3s and other vitamins may become the standard to ensure that many people get their recommended amount of vitamins.
For a vegetarian and sustainable form of DHA Omega-3, look for life'sDHA on dairy products at your local store.
