Milk is a staple food in many people’s diets, providing carbohydrates, complete protein and a host of nutrients that other foods often lack, such as B vitamins and calcium. Pasteurization is a process of heating raw milk to a certain temperature to kill microbial, fungal and other agents that contribute to spoilage.

Dairy, including skim milk, can be a nutritious part of a well-rounded diet. The nutrients in skim milk support cellular growth and maintenance at most stages of life.

Fortification is the process by which manufacturers add micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals to food. The purpose is to reduce the rate of common deficiencies and diseases that would otherwise occur in the absence of these nutrients.

The gallbladder is a small sac-shaped organ primarily responsible for the digestion of fat using stored bile produced by the liver. Some of the most common gallbladder conditions include gallstones and cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder.

Pancake recipes usually call for milk. If you have someone in your house who can't or won't eat milk products or you are trying to eliminate dairy foods from your own diet, pancakes made with other liquids can be just as good as those with milk. Use your favorite pancake recipe with a number of options.

Your ancestors collected buttermilk from the slightly sour liquid that was left after butter was churned. They used it in baked goods to add an airy texture. Buttermilk was also used as a woman’s facial wash for a fresh complexion.

Every nutrient you consume must go through the gastrointestinal tract to be digested and absorbed. Many vitamins and minerals you must consume daily have similar cellular transports and thus compete for absorption.

Flour and milk can form the base of a great white sauce or roux, or can become a cooking disaster. However, just as there is more than one reason why flour can turn hard and lumpy when you mix it with milk, there is more than one way to ensure it does not.

Milk of magnesia, otherwise known as magnesium hydroxide, is an over-the-counter medication that's available in liquid or tablet form. It is most often prescribed as a treatment for acute constipation. Though it is a common treatment, it does come with some possible risks related to dosage levels.

If drinking a warm glass of milk straight from the cow appeals to you, you're not alone. As many as 100,000 Californians alone swill milk straight from the cow without benefit of pasteurization each week, according to a March 2007 article published in "Time."

When your body produces too much stomach acid the acid enters your esophagus, you may experience ulcers or heartburn. If these conditions happen too often, your health may decline dramatically. People often drink milk to provide relief for heartburn and decrease stomach acid production.

Milk can lull a scared child back to sleep, it can calm a colicky baby and some believe it can cure a common stomachache. While milk does work wonders for some people, it may make others much worse. Before treating your stomachache with milk, first determine the cause of your pain.