A2 protein organic whole milk

Milk is milk, right? Not quite. Not all animals produce milk with the same kinds of nutrients. In fact, certain important nutrients in A2 milk are different on a fundamental, structural level.

The primary protein in milk is known as β-casein. This protein comes in two forms: A1 and A2, each of which includes a different amino acid in its structure. Traditional dairy cows produce milk that contains both A1 and A2 casein. Recently, though, specially bred cows that only produce A2 casein have hit the mainstream.

This protein difference may have serious effects on digestive health. Many people have lactose intolerance, a condition where the body does not produce lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose. However, recent studies have shown that other components in milk may cause digestive discomfort.

Nutrition Information

A one-cup serving of A2 2% milk contains:

  • Calories: 122
  • Protein: 8 grams
  • Fat: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 12 grams
  • Fiber: 0 grams
  • Sugar: 12 grams

A2 milk is rich in protein, which is an important building block in everything from muscle tissue to skin and blood. 

A2 milk is also a great source of:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin B12
  • Calcium
  • Thiamin
  • Riboflavin
  • Potassium

It contains a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids, too. These are polyunsaturated fats that your body needs in order to function well. The consumption of omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to lower triglyceride levels, reducing the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Potential Health Benefits of A2 Milk

Milk is best known for its abundance of calcium, which helps the body grow and repair bones. It also helps prevent and treat osteoporosis, or the weakening of bones. You can find calcium in many effective treatments for acid reflux, too.

Here are some additional health benefits of A2 milk:

It could help keep your blood pressure healthy. High blood pressure is often caused by elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels. By consuming more omega-3 fatty acids like the ones in A2 milk, you can potentially lower your cholesterol levels. The potassium present in A2 milk benefits your blood pressure, as well.

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It could help your mood. Vitamin D plays a key role in mood disorders like seasonal affective disorder (SAD). By consuming foods rich in vitamin D — like A2 milk— people living with SAD may see a reduction in symptoms.

It could strengthen your immune system.Vitamin A is important to keep your defenses strong and it's found most frequently in animal products like A2 milk. Consuming more vitamin A improves the response and regulation of immune system cells.

It could help your eyes stay healthy. Vitamin A helps maintain your retinas and your corneas. The vitamin A in A2 milk may help keep your eyes working well. Drinking milk regularly as part of a balanced diet may help your body prevent cataracts and keep your vision sharp.

Potential Risks of A2 Milk

If you have a diagnosed milk allergy, A2 milk is not an healthy alternative, and you should avoid it. In fact, if you have it, you could have the same symptoms -- including the potential for life-threatening anaphylaxis -- that you would if you were to drink "regular" milk.

If a doctor has told you that you are lactose intolerant, it's unlikely that you'll feel any better after drinking A2 milk. That's because it contains just as much lactose as milk that has both the A1 and A2 proteins. 

If you're not sure if you're lactose intolerant, but you don't feel well after having milk, trying A2 milk may help. If you can tolerate it, it's possible that you have sensitivity or intolerance to the A1 casein protein.

Healthier Alternatives

If you're lactose intolerant, lactose-free milk may be a better choice for you than A2 milk. Like "regular" milk and A2 milk, lactose-free milk has all the nutritional benefits of "regular milk," just without the lactose.

Pagination

Casein is the largest group of proteins in milk, making up about 80% of total protein content.

There are several types of casein in milk. Beta-casein is the second most prevalent and exists in at least 13 different forms (1).

The two most common forms are:

  • A1 beta-casein. Milk from breeds of cows that originated in northern Europe is generally high in A1 beta-casein. These breeds include Holstein, Friesian, Ayrshire, and British Shorthorn.
  • A2 beta-casein. Milk that is high in A2 beta-casein is mainly found in breeds that originated in the Channel Islands and southern France. These include Guernsey, Jersey, Charolais, and Limousin cows (1, 2).

Regular milk contains both A1 and A2 beta-casein, but A2 milk contains only A2 beta-casein.

Some studies suggest that A1 beta-casein may be harmful and that A2 beta-casein is a safer choice.

Thus, there is some public and scientific debate over these two types of milk.

A2 milk is produced and marketed by the A2 Milk Company and contains no A1 beta-casein.

SUMMARY

A1 and A2 milk contain different types of beta-casein protein. Some studies indicate that A2 milk may be the healthier of the two.

Beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) is an opioid peptide released during the digestion of A1 beta-casein (3, 4).

It’s the reason why some people believe regular milk to be less healthy than A2 milk.

A few research groups suggest that BCM-7 may be linked to type 1 diabetes, heart disease, infant death, autism, and digestive problems (5, 6, 7, 8).

While BCM-7 may affect your digestive system, it’s still unclear to what extent BCM-7 is absorbed intact into your blood.

Studies have not found BCM-7 in the blood of healthy adults who drink cow’s milk, but a few tests indicate that BCM-7 may be present in infants (7, 8, 9).

While BCM-7 has been extensively researched, its overall health effects remain unclear.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and characterized by a lack of insulin.

Several studies indicate that drinking A1 milk during childhood increases your risk of type 1 diabetes (5, 6, 10, 11).

However, these studies are observational. They cannot prove that A1 beta-casein causes type 1 diabetes — only that those who are getting more of it are at a higher risk.

While some animal studies have found no difference between A1 and A2 beta-casein, others show A1 beta-casein to have either protective or adverse effects on type 1 diabetes (10, 12, 13, 14).

So far, no clinical trials in humans have investigated the effect of A1 beta-casein on type 1 diabetes.

Heart disease

Two observational studies link A1 milk consumption to an increased risk of heart disease (6, 11).

One test in rabbits showed that A1 beta-casein promoted fat buildup in injured blood vessels. This buildup was much lower when the rabbits consumed A2 beta-casein (15).

Fat accumulation may potentially clog blood vessels and cause heart disease. Still, the human relevance of the results has been debated (2).

So far, two trials have investigated the effects of A1 milk on heart disease risk factors in people (16, 17).

In one study in 15 adults at high risk of heart disease, no significant adverse effects were observed. A1 and A2 had similar effects on blood vessel function, blood pressure, blood fats, and inflammatory markers (16).

Another study found no significant differences in the effects of A1 and A2 casein on blood cholesterol (17).

Sudden infant death syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the most common cause of death in infants under 12 months old.

SIDS is the unexpected death of an infant without an apparent cause (18).

Some researchers have speculated that BCM-7 may be involved in some cases of SIDS (19).

One study found high levels of BCM-7 in the blood of infants who temporarily stopped breathing during sleep. This condition, known as sleep apnea, is linked to an increased risk of SIDS (7).

These results indicate that some children may be sensitive to the A1 beta-casein found in cow’s milk. Yet, further studies are needed before any firm conclusions can be reached.

Autism

Autism is a mental condition characterized by poor social interaction and repetitive behavior.

In theory, peptides like BCM-7 might play a role in the development of autism. However, studies do not support all of the proposed mechanisms (20, 21, 22).

One study in infants found higher levels of BCM-7 in those fed cow’s milk compared to those who were breastfed. Notably, levels of BCM-7 dropped quickly in some of the infants while remaining high in others.

For those who retained these high levels, BCM-7 was strongly associated with an impaired ability to plan and perform actions (8).

Another study indicates that drinking cow’s milk may worsen behavioral symptoms in children with autism. But other studies found no effects on behavior (23, 24, 25).

So far, no human trials have specifically investigated the effects of A1 and A2 milk on autism symptoms.

SUMMARY

A few studies suggest that A1 beta-casein and the peptide BCM-7 may be linked to diabetes, heart disease, autism, and SIDS. Still, results are mixed and more research is needed.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to fully digest milk sugar (lactose). This is a common cause of bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

The amount of lactose in A1 and A2 milk is the same. However, some people feel that A2 milk causes less bloating than A1 milk.

In fact, studies indicate that milk components other than lactose may cause digestive discomfort (26, 27).

Scientists have suggested that certain milk proteins may be responsible for some people’s milk intolerance.

One study in 41 people showed that A1 milk causes softer stools than A2 milk in some individuals, while another study in Chinese adults found that A2 milk led to significantly less digestive discomfort after meals (28, 29).

Additionally, animal and human studies suggest that A1 beta-casein may increase inflammation in the digestive system (29, 30, 31).

SUMMARY

Growing evidence suggests that A1 beta-casein triggers adverse digestive symptoms in some people.

Debate about the potential health effects of A1 and A2 milk is ongoing.

Research suggests that A1 beta-casein causes adverse digestive symptoms in certain individuals.

But the evidence is still too weak for any solid conclusions to be made about the supposed links between A1 beta-casein and other conditions, such as type 1 diabetes and autism.

That said, A2 milk could be worth a try if you struggle to digest regular milk.

What is A2 protein organic whole milk?

a2 Milk® is 100% real milk that is easier on digestion and may help some avoid discomfort because it naturally contains the A2 protein. Published research suggests that a2 Milk® may help avoid stomach discomfort in some people. Our new Half and Half is also made with real a2 Milk® and cream and contain lactose.

Is A2 whole milk good for you?

Here are some additional health benefits of A2 milk: It could help keep your blood pressure healthy. High blood pressure is often caused by elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels. By consuming more omega-3 fatty acids like the ones in A2 milk, you can potentially lower your cholesterol levels.

Is A2 milk better than organic milk?

The most significant difference between organic milk and organic A2/A2 milk is the presence of A1 beta casein in organic milk. A2 beta-casein is the main protein found in human milk. Organic A2/A2 milk tastes just like the milk you're already familiar with but is more naturally absorbed and easily digested.

What are the disadvantages of A2 milk?

Risks. A2 milk still contains lactose and milk protein, so it is not appropriate for people with lactose intolerance, galactosemia, or a milk allergy. Furthermore, some people choose not to consume dairy and to follow a vegan diet, the Paleo diet, or to try to reduce acne and other conditions by eliminating dairy.