A2 milk has been sold in New Zealand and Australia for some time. In the U.S., it’s started to garner attention; however, it’s still not commonplace. A lot of people are either unaware of it, or heard of it and don’t know what it is.
Many people have issues with dairy, either with the lactose in it or the protein casein. Some people have struggled with skin issues from dairy, while others have run into digestive problems. But, claims regarding A2 milk, suggest that some people may simply have an issue with the A1 protein. It’s speculated that many years ago cows only produced A2 protein and that overtime, after a genetic mutation, some cows started to produce both A1 and A2 proteins (typically seen in western cattle). However, it’s believed that some people have issues with the A1 protein, and can have digestive problems from ingesting it. The good news is, there are cows that only produce the A2 protein (commonly seen in Asian and African cattle).
If you have an issue with the protein casein, this may not resolve your problem, since casein is still in this milk, but it is worth noting it’s in a different form. A2 milk also contains lactose, but if you have symptoms similar to lactose intolerance and you’re not lactose intolerant, this could be the answer.
Unfortunately, most of the research that is readily available appears to be sponsored by an impartial viewpoint. But, you can find reviews regarding A2 milk, and it seems to be well liked by buyers. On Amazon, it got 5 out of 5 stars (only 4 reviewers), on highya, it got 4.5 out 5 reviews (only 7 reviews), and on Moms Meet it got 5 out of 5 reviews (out of 370 reviews). Reviewers describe how switching has made a difference for them and/or their loved ones.
There was a study, which is worth mentioning, that was done independently, it showed evidence that A1 was more problematic in mice. “The National Dairy Research Institute in India published a peer-reviewed study, finding that mice fed A1 beta-casein produced far more inflammatory compounds linked to heart disease, eczema, and asthma than the mice fed A2 beta-casein.”
So, should you make the switch? If you don’t currently have any issues with dairy milk, you may be fine sticking with your current regime. But, if you find that you do have reactions from drinking milk, and you’re not lactose intolerant, you may want to give it a try. It does still have casein in it, but it’s a different type of protein, although only separated by one amino acid. It has the potential to be beneficial for some people. And it could be worth giving it a try, especially if you’ve been missing real cow’s milk. But, keep in mind, everyone’s body is different, so while it could end up being a “life-saver” for you, it may not work for everyone.
If you're trying to understand whether symptoms could be tied to food choices, this piece on how you eat may offer a helpful starting point.
If you’re trying to understand whether symptoms could be tied to food choices, this piece on how you eat may offer a helpful starting point, and you can also read about drinkable soups for another example of how food trends can shape what people choose to consume.
If you’re trying to understand whether symptoms could be tied to food choices, this piece on how you eat may offer a helpful starting point, and you can also read about Dairy – Love it or Leave it? for a broader look at how dairy can affect different people.
If you’re comparing how different foods and drinks affect your body, you may also want to read about What Is Kombucha? Benefits, Risks, and What to Know.
