Gone are the days where picking up some milk from the shops was a simple decision.
The milk fridge has become over-populated with various choices and the dairy-free aisle continues to grow! This is because many more people are realising that dairy is the underlying cause to many of their health symptoms…but is it?
There is a part of the population who have a true dairy allergy or lactose intolerance.
However there are a lot of people who fall outside both of these groups, but are finding more and more that dairy is exacerbating their symptoms such as digestive problems, PMS and acne…so what is the deal?
We now know that our regular cow’s milk products contain the A1 protein, and it seems that it is this protein which might be having a harmful impact on our health…not the actual cow’s milk itself!
A1 vs A2?
Cow’s milk contains various proteins, one of them being beta-caseins, which there are two types of, A1 and A2.
Originally, all cow’s produced only A2 milk. However, over time the A1 protein has become the dominant protein in cow’s due to a genetic mutation.
All cow’s milk products these days on our supermarket shelves contain a combination of A1 and A2 beta-casein. However, A2 milk products contain just the A2 beta-casein.
Signs you cannot digest cow’s milk
There is now evidence that the A1 protein found in regular cow’s milk is more difficult for humans to digest and can contribute to inflammatory problems such as:
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and/or constipation.
* Eczema, Asthma, Allergies and Upper Respiratory Problems
* Bad PMS
* Endometriosis
* Acne (especially hormonal acne around the chin) and Rosacea
* Lowered immune system, especially reoccurring ear infections and tonsillitis
Who this affects?
There is no clinical test, however some of the population do not contain the digestive enzymes to break down the constituents of the A1 protein, therefore it has this inflammatory effect on those individuals.
A1 Protein Foods
Any products made from regular Holstein cow’s milk – milk, yoghurt, cream, custard, ice-cream, packaged milk beverages, milk powders found in packaged products.
A2 Protein Foods
– Any milk based products listed above labelled “A2.”
– Jersey milk products
– Goat’s milk products: milk, yoghurt, cheese
Ghee and Butter are generally tolerated as they are predominantly fat solids (with milk proteins removed).
So if you suffer from regular tummy troubles, bad PMS, acne or reoccurring immune problems…then I would seriously consider switching to full-cream A2 milk products, or even try incorporating goat’s milk products into your diet, and see if your symptoms improve!
As a Nutritionist, I specialise in diagnosing and treating food intolerances and allergies.
If you want to find out what is driving your health concerns + get your zest for life back…get in touch with me today!
