Goat products: Meeting the challenges of human health and nutrition

Abstract

The prospect of using small ruminants as food has not been fully exploited. Small ruminants produce food and fiber for man at a relatively low cost as they graze on pasture and feed on farm by - products. There are documentations on the benefits that can be derived from goat products regardless, of the breed or region. Goat meat is a source of high quality protein and low saturated fats which is good for human health. The use of goat meat and milk as therapeutic aids in heart-related diseases and other ailments is unknown to many. This paper therefore, seeks to present goat as a good source of protein to help alleviate the protein nutritional deficiency of humans. The utilization of goat as experimental animal in researches, for medical purposes and other uses were also highlighted.