Hi Dedy,
There are small variations in milk composition between species but the 
principle still applies. Milk is nature's food for infant mammals. 
Quantities of iron in human milk are negligible. Human infants typically 
rely on iron stores built up in utero during the final weeks before 
birth. These stores should last until they begin eating solid foods at 
about 6 months. I presume that the dynamics are similar in all mammals.  
Thus, when  milk is used to feed infants there is little need for the 
Ca/iron to be balanced. In humans, several developments converge 
suggesting an appropriate time to begin weaning at about 6 months of 
age. Continued consumption, beyond infancy, of such a specialized food 
is problematic in a number of ways. Just as we are not genetically well 
equipped to eat grains, we are also not equipped to consume milk beyond 
infancy. For instance, there are 8 opioid sequences in cow's milk. While 
these are clearly beneficial to infants there is little value in the 
whole adult population consuming a mild  but highly addictive sedative. 
Regular consumption of buffalo, goat, or ewes' milk is just as likely to 
incite immune reactions as cows' milk if eaten regularly. These are 
foods that have evolved specifically for each species.

The retention of lactase into adulthood is an adaptation that certainly 
qualifies dairy as a very useful starvation food. During famines, dairy 
consumption may not be an ideal nutritional strategy but it sure beats 
starvation. On the other hand, chronic use of such foods is difficult to 
justify as a healthful strategy.  

Best Wishes,
Ron


Dedy Rundle wrote:
> Ron,
>
> Would your reply apply equally to ewes and goats' or even water 
> buffalo milk and products?
>
> TIA
>
> Dedy
>