Milk Protein for Child’s Muscle Growth

Children go through rapid growth and development particularly during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. It is important to focus on nutrition during these periods for maintaining strong bones, healthy tissues, immunity, and particularly muscle growth. Along with other vital nutrient required for muscle growth and development, milk protein is found to be beneficial as it provides all the essential amino acids.

Parents think child growth is equal to growth in height and weight, but one must focus on muscle growth as well. Muscles help children be active and actively participate in other curricular activity. Hence it is important to provide them with adequate protein for better tissue repair, energy balance and long-term health benefits¹.

Why Protein Matters for Growing Children

Protein is one of the important nutrients and it acts as a building block of the body. It plays vital role in development of muscles, organs and production of skin, hormones and enzymes². Childhood is a critical period where body continuously builds new tissue, making protein an important nutrient¹. However, all sources of protein are not equal. Some sources contain high quality and complete protein, while others may lack one or more amino acids.

Why Milk Protein?

Milk is one of the sources of complete protein³. Casein and whey are major protein of milk, making it a complete protein source. Milk protein is great source of dietary protein for supporting muscle growth and development in children and adolescents. It is characterized as high quality protein because of excellent digestibility and amino acid content³. Amino acids are necessary for muscle protein synthesis and tissue repair¹. High quality protein intake helps improve stamina, quick recovery and healthy growth and development of a child⁴.

How Milk Protein Supports Muscle Growth

Children are very active in this period. There is continuous stress on their muscle due to activities like running, cycling, jumping or any other sport activities⁵. This causes minor muscle breakdown which is then repaired by body by protein synthesis making them stronger over time⁵. Amino acid present in milk helps in initiating this process.

Role of Whey and Casein in Muscle Development³

Milk protein constitutes nearly 80% of casein and 20% of whey. Whey helps in muscle protein synthesis as it is rich in branched amino acids (BCAAs) and is readily absorbed by the body. Whereas casein protein is slowly digested and it gradually releases amino acids. This property helps in amino acid to be available for a longer period of time, supporting better muscle recovery and repair. This combination of whey and casein provides instant as well as sustained nourishment to muscle. Hence milk is considered as a better protein source.

Milk Protein and Muscle Recovery⁶

Children may experience tiredness or muscles soreness after playing for long time, or after engaging in strenuous sport. It is important to provide proper nutrition for faster muscle recovery. To reduce post activity muscle soreness, it is important to include high quality protein in the diet. Along with amino acid helping in muscle recovery, milk also contains calcium, potassium, and phosphorous which further support muscle function and bone strength.

Protein beyond muscles⁷

Beyond supporting muscle growth, milk protein provides other additional benefits such as:

• Strong Bones: Milk Protein contains calcium and phosphorous to help build strong bones and teeth.
• Healthy growth: The high-quality protein in milk supports normal growth during childhood
• Improved Immunity: Protein aids in the production of immune cells and antibodies that shield kids from illness.
• Consistent energy: Milk’s whey and casein contribute to sustained energy throughout the day.
• Brain development: Amino acids support cognitive development and help in improving child’s focus, memory, and learning

Signs your child is not eating enough protein⁸

Children’s growth and general development may be impacted by inadequate protein intake. Signs of low protein intake include:

• Slow growth: Growing children’s weight gain and height might be impacted by inadequate protein intake.
• Frequent fatigue: Kids may experience fatigue, poor energy, or a decrease in their level of activity during regular activities.
• Decreased muscle strength: Over time, a protein deficiency may result in a loss of muscle and a decrease in physical activity.
• Frequent illness: Low protein consumption can increase susceptibility to infections because it is necessary for immune system function.
• Poor recovery: Children may require more time to recover from illness, physical exertion, sports and experience muscle soreness post activity.
• Poor appetite and irritability – Some children may become irritable, less attentive, or show reduced interest
• Hair loss, skin and nail changes – Hair loss, brittle nails and dry skin can be sign of poor protein intake.

Sources of Milk Protein⁹

Milk protein can be obtained from a variety of dairy foods that children commonly consume in their daily diet. These foods provide high quality and complete protein that supports muscle growth and development. Some common sources of milk protein include:

• Milk
• Curd
• Paneer
• Cheese
• Buttermilk
• Milk based nutritional drinks

Including Milk Protein in a child’s daily diet

Children may not always meet their daily protein requirement through meals alone, especially if they are picky eaters or have increased nutritional needs due to sports and physical activity. In such cases milk based nutritional drink can help bridge the nutritional gap.

Complan is a milk based nutritional drink for children that provides 34 vital nutrients along with high quality protein to support growth and development. It contains 63% more high quality, easily absorbed protein than other malt based drink, helping support muscle growth, muscle recovery and overall development in growing children. Along with protein it also provides vitamins and minerals that contribute to bone strength, immunity and daily energy needs.

Complan is not just a nutritional drink, it is a delicious addition to a kid’s daily diet. It comes in 4 kid-friendly flavours.

Try the lip smacking flavours of Complan now. Order from quick delivery stores like Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart or even the official Zydus Wellness website, along with Amazon India and Flipkart.

When combined with balanced meals, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep, protein rich nutritional support can help children achieve healthy growth and better muscle development during their growing years.

*Growth and cognitive development are influenced by genetic, nutrition and environmental factors. Complan to be taken as a part of daily balanced diet.

*Refer Individual pack for mandatory regulatory & statutory information. Mnemonics are for creative visualization. ® Registered Trademark *Refers to outcome of a clinical study amongst 800 children over 12 months, published in Ind. J. Nutr. Dietet., (2008), 45, 449, 495 comparing kids who consume usual daily diet vs. kids who consume usual daily diet plus 2 recommended serves (2x33g) of complan. Protein in Complan is sourced from milk.

*DAIRY BASED BEVERAGE MIX (1.1.2) PROPRIETARY FOOD.