Study: Taking medications with milk improves their effectiveness

A new study led by Monash University has found that drinking a mixture of human and cow's milk can significantly increase the effectiveness of some drugs.

Previous studies have shown that milk can improve the absorption of various drugs - including antimalarials and praziquantel, which is used to treat parasitic infections. The latest study leaves no doubt that this product, which is found in almost every household, can increase the absorption of drugs. This is especially important when treating children.

The term "bioavailability" refers to how much of a drug enters the bloodstream. It depends on several factors, including the pH level of the stomach and intestines. In addition, enzymes and metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract also affect absorption.

Our bodies are mostly water — if a drug is poorly soluble in water, only a small amount of it will enter the bloodstream. Lipophilic drugs need fat to dissolve and be absorbed well (which is why doctors recommend taking some pills with food).

Because milk has a high fat content, poorly water-soluble substances are more effective when mixed with human or cow's milk.

In animal experiments, scientists have found that drugs mixed with milk are absorbed up to 175 percent more effectively.

However, there are certain problems with the use of milk in medical preparations in low- and middle-income countries. Due to limited access to refrigeration, such practices can be difficult to implement in the lives of ordinary people in Africa, for example. Therefore, scientists are trying to develop safe and effective milk formulas. These formulas should be convenient for a wide range of patients, even in hot climates.

Further research in this area could help develop more effective and safer medicines for children. This is especially important in resource-limited settings in developing countries.

Milk contains fats, proteins, and carbohydrates that help some medicines be better absorbed. Fats help some vitamins and medicines to be better absorbed. Proteins, on the other hand, bind to the active ingredients of medicines, slowing their release and prolonging their duration of action. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”