## How is milk useful? Milk contains a lot of vitamins and minerals, and 95 % of the high-grade milk protein is assimilated in the body since it consists of casein and whey proteins. Also, drinking milk has a positive effect on dental health: calcium, phosphorus and casein form a protective film on the enamel, which prevents tooth decay. ## What changes with age? Lactase production decreases. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar) and promotes its absorption. Milk is best digested in children 5-12 years old. The older a person gets, the less lactase is synthesized, and the worse his or her body reacts to milk. There is no specific age at which problems with lactose breakdown begin. Everything is individual. Usually, noticeable changes start after the age ===of 40, but it can also happen at 30, and at a very advanced age. The amount of lactase is also reduced due to poor diet, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or gastrointestinal surgery. > If after drinking milk you notice increased gas, abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhea, your body is probably not tolerating lactose well. __Your liver might not be working well__, which directly affects the digestibility of a number of products, including milk. __The risk of cardiovascular disease increases.__ Fatty milk is a source of saturated fats and cholesterol, which clog arteries. The older a person gets, the more carefully he or she should control the amount of fatty foods in the diet. __The risk of osteoporosis increases.__ Older people need calcium, and milk seems to have plenty of it. But it also contains animal proteins, which, when broken down, release acids, and in order to neutralize and excrete them, the body uses calcium from milk and from its own reserves. As a result, when we consume milk, we lose rather than gain calcium. ## Is it worth giving it up altogether? It is only worth giving up if you are allergic to milk or have congenital lactase deficiency. Otherwise, an adult who does not experience any negative symptoms associated with drinking this drink can safely drink 6 to 13 ounces of milk per day.