**5. Health benefits of MFGM**

#### **5.1 Anticancerous effect**

Anticancerous activity of bovine MFGM was well detailed by Spitsberg and Gorewit, especially they play an important role in prevention of breast and ovarian cancer. A notable protein called Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP 1) present in bovine MFGM has effect on cancer cell proliferation on the epithelial part of mammary gland during lactation period [60, 61]. The presence of genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 that have a capability to suppress breast cancer was also found in human milk. The origin of these genes was through exocytosis from the epithelial cells and usually covered by plasma membrane similar to the origin of milk fat globules in bovine milk. The study also addressed that presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in human milk fat globule (HMFG) has a vital role in neonatal nutrition [62].

The structure of bovine and human milk BRCA1 was quietly identical (72.5% similarity rate) and also had the same type of reaction towards DNA repairment and cell nuclear expression pattern in vitro study [63]. The major functions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 are repairing the damaged DNA and regulation of cytokinesis [64]. The principle behind the suppression process of cancerous cells involves, after MFGM is


#### *Current Issues and Advances in the Dairy Industry*


**Table 2.**

*Animal and human studies of commercially available MFGM formula.*

*Milk Fat Globular Membrane: Composition, Structure, Isolation, Technological Significance and… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106926*

ingested, the protein would be degraded into several inhibitory peptides in the stomach and reaches the bloodstream and starts its action on cancerous cells in particular tissue or organ.

The role of MFGM against intestinal cancer was studied [65] that 0.88 g/day of trysin derivatives of MFGM significantly reduced 90% of β- Glucuronidase activity and kappa casein reduced 35% of activity in the mice. β- Glucuronidase acts as a catalyst in conversion of onco-precursors to carcinogens. Less than 20% of MFGM such as 5% and 10% had only 15–20% inhibitory effect on β- Glucuronidase activity. The possible science behind the scene was due to release of inhibitory peptidase of ingested MFGM. However, the exact mechanism was not clarified by the authors, these studies proved that supplementation of MFGM particularly in solubilized state has potent effect on intestinal cancer, which can be effectively used in geriatric functional foods. The action of MFGM-PLs and sphingolipids towards colon tumors was reported by several authors [66–71].

#### **5.2 Anticholesterolemic effect**

The positive impact of MFGM on serum cholesterol was studied [71], the study involved in supplementation of cream and butter into the diet of subjects. The results revealed that volunteers who had butter showed increased levels of serum cholesterol than those who were fed with cream. The obvious reason behind the relation is that MFGM is the principle compound responsible for reducing the level of serum cholesterol by its association with cholesterol binding in the intestine.

Similarly, consumption of 4 liters of whole milk per day reduced the uptake of cholesterol in the body [72]. A study [73] compared egg sphingomyelin (SM) and milk SM for their effective control on cholesterol absorption. Undoubtedly, the milk SM inhibited the absorption of cholesterol due to the presence of long chain and saturated fatty acids in their complex structure which makes them difficult to solubilize and unfold.

Cohort study by direct supplementation of milk fat 40 g/day showed markedly decreased level of total cholesterol and LDL lipoprotein in adults during 8 week observation [74]. Micellar insolubilization and transfer of cholesterol molecule in micellar cells to enterocytes are the major roleplay of MFGM in anticholesterolemic effect.

#### **5.3 MFGM in physical health**

Muscle strength, mass and function are important factors in physical performance of sports nutrition. Milk products especially whey protein plays a major role in muscle protein function and became an undeniable product in sports nutrition. Nutritional significance of milk on muscle function was mainly due to its nutrient rich constituents and its ability for specific gene expression [75]. In that way, the effect of uptake of milk during leg resistance exercise was studied in 3 groups of young volunteers who were fed with free-fat milk, whole milk and free-fat milk isocaloric with whole milk. The results showed increased levels of two aminoacids such as phenylalanine and threonine which indicates net muscle protein synthesis in the group fed with whole milk. The balance of net muscle protein shifted from negative to positive in same group. Hence the study concluded that intake of milk serves a reservoir for amino acids (phenylalanine and threonine) for muscle protein synthesis [76]. In an animal study with senescence-accelerated mice, intake of MFGM along with regular

*Milk Fat Globular Membrane: Composition, Structure, Isolation, Technological Significance and… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106926*

exercise improved the muscle contractile force and lipid fraction of MFGM (PL and SM) had a beneficial effect on mechanical strength of muscle (quadriceps muscle) [77]. Long term effect on supplementation of MFGM diet on endurance capacity on swimmers was studied [78]. The MFGM regulated the gene expression for energy metabolism, increased oxygen intake, lipid oxidation, energy recharge and fat catabolism in 12 a week study. Similar studies on physical performance in human were studied [79–81]. Most of the studies are focused only on the supplemented MFGM fraction, study shall also be focused on natural MFGM rich dairy products intake and their effect on weight gain and loss in athletes.
