Milk has special significance in the Indian diet. Although considered a complete food, there are many that discourage milk consumption, alleging that it might promote prostate and ovarian cancer, type-1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, increased cholesterol levels, weight gain, weakening of bones, etc. In naturopathy, asthma and psoriasis patients are even advised to stop taking milk. But most people the world over — barring a minority suffering from lactose intolerance — have been consuming milk daily in various forms, without any visible problems.
What is A1 and A2 Milk?
In 1992, a new dimension to the debate was added, when scientists in New Zealand established a correlation between the prevalence of type-1 diabetes and the type of milk consumed. It led to the discovery of the so-called A1 and A2 types of milk.
Cow milk has:
87-88 percent water
12-13 percent solids that include lactose/sugar, fat, protein and minerals
It also contains casein, which, in turn, comprises beta-casein. The latter can further be either A1 or A2 beta-casein.
Milk containing A1 beta-casein, at the time of digestion in the small intestine, can have an inhibitory effect on immune function and is suspected to induce type-1 diabetes, heart disease, infant death and autism.
The A1 type of milk is mostly produced by European cow breeds such as Holstein Friesian, Ayrshire and British Shorthorn. On the other hand, Jersey and Guernsey cows in the Channel Islands, the Charolais and Limousin breeds of Southern France, and the Zebu cattle of Africa and Asia produce A2 milk.
Cow’s milk has two beta caseins, or proteins, that are responsible for providing amino acids to consumers. These proteins are known as “A1” and “A2”, and are naturally occurring in milk. A2 milk contains only the A2 variant, which is believed by some to reduce the effects of lactose intolerance compared to milk containing both caseins. The A1 and A2 protein variants both naturally occur in cow’s milk, but the combination of A1 and A2, or only one of the two depends on the cow. So, to produce milk containing only the A2 protein, selective breeding is used. To perform selective breeding, cattle are tested for the presence of A1 or A2, and are bred according to protein composition.
According to the a2 Milk Company, the milk they sell is “the original milk,” which they claim is made the way nature intended. Many disputes to this claim say that since both the A1 and A2 proteins occur naturally, there is no reason to advertise A2 milk as the more “natural” of the two.
On the retail side, A2 milk is being marketed as a product that is easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance. But, researchers feel that more thorough research is necessary before the A2 milk claims can become facts.
Lactose is present in both A1 milk and A2 milk and consumers should be aware that shifting to A2 milk will not help them address lactose intolerance.
Prevalence of A1 milk protein is not a major problem in India at present, and with increased consumer awareness on A1/A2 milk over time, the A2 branded milk in
India may not sustain itself in future.
