NuTrIeNtS In MiLk

What do all the nutrients in milk do?
The following table is a summary of the role of milk's important nutrients in your day-to-day body functions.

Important Nutrients in Milk	What The Nutrient Does	Amount of Nutrient in 8 oz. of 2% Milk as a % of Your Needs
		Females %	Males %
Vitamin D	Aids in the absorption & use of calcium & phosphorus in the body for bones & teeth.	104	104
Vitamin B12	Helps in the formation of healthy red blood cells. Helps protect nerves. Supports normal growth.	94	94
Calcium	Necessary for bone & tooth growth & maintenance. Helps muscles contract (including the heart). Has a role in blood clotting. Involved in proper hormone function. Helps transmit nerve impulses.	45	39
Riboflavin	Keeps many tissues healthy, such as the skin, eyes & nerves. Releases energy within cells.	39	30
Phosphorus	Aids in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and teeth.	29	25
Vitamin A	Maintains health of the skin. Has a role in vision, bone growth & reproduction.	18	15
Magnesium	Necessary for the release of energy in cells. Required for replication of genetic material (DNA & RNA). Helps control calcium blood levels. Helps relax muscles after contraction.	18	14
Protein	Builds & repairs body tissues and cells. Source of energy.	17	13
Niacin	Vital for obtaining energy in body cells.	14	11
Vitamin B6	Helps the body to use protein. Assists in the formation of red blood cells.	13	10
Thiamin	Important for the production of energy in body cells.	11	9
Zinc	Involved in protein building. Has a role in the immune response.	11	8
Folacin	Essential for the formation of both white & red blood cells.	7	6

• 8 oz. or 250ml of skim, 1%, and whole milk provide approximately the same amount of nutrients.
• Needs refer to the Recommended Nutrient Intake per day calculated for 25 - 49 year-old adults of moderate activity. Health and Welfare Canada, 1990.
• Vitamin D is added to fluid milk only (not to milk used in making milk products).