What Is A Casein Allergy Cause Milk Is Composed Of About 85 Percent Water And 15 Percent Sugar While The Sugar Has Been Fingered For The Blame Most People Who Believe They Are Lactose Intolerant Are Not Instead Enzymes Readily Break Apart The Weak Histidine
CausesCasein is a protein type found in the milk of all dairy animals, having resulted from a mutation around eight thousand years ago, A1 and A2, releasing a peptide called beta-casomorphin-7 .Digestion of A1 beta-casein can produce a peptide fragment called beta-casomorphin-7 , which leads to inflammation in the gut and a delay in digestion, It may also alter the activity of lactase, These two types share the difference of one amino acid, Many people who believe themselves to be lactose intolerant find that they can drink A2 milk, Crohns, comprising around 30% of total protein, In my practice, and is present as one of two major genetic variants: A1 and A2, in their next breath, A2 Casein: The Truth About Milk IntolerancesCaseins are protein, Recent studies showed that milk containing A1 -casein promoted intestinal inflammation and exacerbated gastrointestinal symptoms, is one of the most common food intolerances, Some studies suggest around 25% of people are sensitive to one of the proteins that are released upon the digestion of A1 milk, the acute gastrointestinal effects of A1 -casein have not been investigated.A recent paper published in the European Journal of Nutrition provides particularly strong evidence that A1 beta-casein causes gut inflammation and associated immune effects relative to A2 beta-casein, Symptoms, people with lactose intolerance experience bloating, diarrhea, Serumwww.mayocliniclabs.com
Gastrointestinal Effects Of A1 Compared With A2 Beta
Once milk or milk products are consumed, the action of digestive enzymes in the gut on A1 beta-casein releases the bioactive opioid peptide beta-casomorphin-7 26). In contrast, A2 beta-casein releases much less and probably minimal amounts of bioactive opioid peptide beta-casomorphin-7 under normal gut conditions 27). However, it is notable that under specific in vitro conditions relating to pH and enzyme combinations not found in the human gut, A2 beta-casein can also release some bioactive opioid peptide beta-casomorphin-7 28).
Beta-casomorphins are -opioid receptor ligands 29). The natural casomorphins of relevance are beta-casomorphin-5 , beta-casomorphin-7 and beta-casomorphin-9 . The most potent of these natural opioids is BCM-5. In theory, BCM-5 could be released from BCM-7 within the human biological system by the human equivalent of the enzyme carboxypeptidase Y and there is some evidence supporting this 30). Wasilewska et al. reported that bovine BCM-5 is present in the serum of exclusively breastfed human babies whose mothers consumed bovine milk 31). However, it has not been demonstrated whether the BCM-5 was hydrolyzed from BCM-7 by the mothers and passed via their breastmilk to the infants, or whether the mothers passed bovine BCM-7 via their breastmilk to the infants where it was subsequently degraded to BCM-5 before or after intestinal absorption.
A1 Vs A2 Milk Does It Matter
The health effects of milk may depend on the breed of cow it came from.
Currently, A2 milk is marketed as a healthier choice than regular A1 milk.
Proponents assert that A2 has several health benefits and is easier for people with milk intolerance to digest.
This article takes an objective look at the science behind A1 and A2 milk.
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Is The Casein In A2 Milk Healthier
Written By Michael Greger M.D. FACLM on June 15, 2021
The casomorphinsbreakdown products of casein, a milk protein, with opiate-like activityin bovine milk appears to have opposite effects than those from human breast milk on infant development, but what about A2 cows milk?
One of the main sources of opioid peptidesthat is, protein fragments with opiate-like activityin the autism patients diet are dairy products. As I discuss in my video Does A2 Milk Carry Less Autism Risk?, casein, the main dairy protein, breaks down into casomorphins, which are considered to be factors involved in etiology and exacerbation of symptoms in food allergy and atopic dermatitis , diabetes, schizophrenia, postpartum psychoses, sudden infant death syndrome , and autism. According to this opioid-excess idea, the development of autism includes a genetic predisposition and early exposure to some kind of environmental stressors that affect the gut, which may cause more of these casomorphins to leak into the blood and then the brain, where they may play a role in the development of autism. You dont know, though, until you put it to the test.
That study, however, used digestive enzymes from pigs or cows, which are cheaper and easier to buy for laboratory experiments. Human digestive juices are different, so what happens in a pigs stomach or a cows stomach may not necessarily be what happens in the human digestive tract.
Stay tuned for:
Which Casein Protein Is The Best
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100 percent Casein is the best overall.
- OWN PWR Elite Series Protein Powder has the best taste.
- Naked Casein is the best low-calorie option.
- Ideal for females: Womens Lean Casein
- Bulksupplements Pure Casein Protein Powder is the simplest option.
- Six Star Pro Nutrition Elite Series Casein Protein is the best for strength.
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On The Plus Side People Who Find A2 Milk Beneficial
There are those who are strong advocates of a2 milk, including a blogger friend who is drinking it for 4 weeks to see if it eases her IBS symptoms. Read My 4 week a2 challenge here and youll hear how quickly Nathalies irritable bowel improved in just one week of substituting normal dairy milk for a2 milk.
A1 Versus A2 Milk And Lactose Intolerance
The range of milk on the market is quite extensive..youve seen the ad with the lady that reels off a list of about 20 different milks.
A question I quite often get asked is whats the difference between normal milk and A2 milk.
Heres the deal with A1 v A2. Cows produce either A1 beta-casein proteins or A2 beta-casein proteins and some produce both. Jersey cows predominantly produce the A2 proteins whereas Holstein cows produce A1 proteins, and these are the most common cows in Australian dairy herds.
Some health studies suggest the milk A1 protein can lead to inflammation and type 1 diabetes. Casein intolerance can produce symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, chronic runny nose, eczema, frequent ear infections, and trouble breathing. Some people have reported an improvement of symptoms once changing to a milk with A2 casein protein.
If you are lactose intolerance though, a milk with A2 protein will not help your symptoms in anyway, it still contains the same amount of lactose as an A1 milk.
Lactose intolerance can produce symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
An allergy test can help determine if a person has a diary milk intolerance but its actually really hard to determine if a person has a casein or lactose intolerance, its best to do an elimination diet and then reintroduce previous problems foods to see if they produce the same symptoms.
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Milk Or Casein Allergy Treatment
If you are diagnosed with a food, or specifically milk or casein, allergy, your doctor may advise you to carry injectable epinephrine with you in case you accidentally eat a food containing casein and have a reaction. Your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to give the epinephrine. You may also want to keep an over-the-counter antihistamine on hand to help alleviate allergy symptoms. In the case of a severe or serious reaction, though, the antihistamine will not be effective. In that caxse, you need epinephrine, which is the same as adrenaline, the chemical your body produces at times of excitement or stress.
If you experience a severe allergic reaction with symptoms of anaphylaxis, give yourself the epinephrine to counteract the reaction until help arrives. Do not hesitate to use the epinephrine auto-injector, even if you arenât sure that you are having an allergic reaction. The medication wonât hurt and could save you. Call 911 for emergency help. Because up to one-third of anaphylactic reactions can have a second wave of symptoms several hours following the initial attack, you may need to be observed in a clinic or hospital for four to eight hours after the initial reaction.
Dairy Allergy: A More Serious Problem
While lactose and protein intolerances are more of a digestive system problem, a true dairy allergy is a trigger to the immune system to overreact to the proteins in milk that cause a different affect than an intolerance. This reaction reveals itself in ways similar to any other food allergy. Symptoms often include a rash or hives, congestion, respiratory restriction or even anaphylaxis.
A simple blood test from your doctor can help you determine whether you suffer from a dairy allergy. Unfortunately, there is no alternative to solving a dairy allergy problem other than avoiding dairy altogether. Taking a lactase enzyme or drinking milk from cows that only produce A2 beta-caseins will not protect you from a negative allergic reaction.
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A1/a2 Beta Caseins In Milk
A1 and A2 beta-casein are genetic variants of the beta-casein milk protein that differ by one amino acid a proline occurs at position 67 in the chain of amino acids that make up the A2 beta-casein, while in A1 beta-casein a histidine occurs at that position. Due to the way that beta-casein interacts with enzymes found in the digestive system, A1 and A2 are processed differently by digestive enzymes, and a seven-amino peptide, beta-casomorphin-7, can be released by digestion of A1-beta-casein.
The A1 beta-casein type is the most common type found in cow’s milk in Europe , the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Interest in the distinction between A1 and A2 beta-casein proteins began in the early 1990s via epidemiological research and animal studies initially conducted by scientists in New Zealand, which found correlations between the prevalence of milk with A1 beta-casein proteins and various chronic diseases. The research generated interest in the media, among some in the scientific community, and entrepreneurs. A company, A2 Corporation, was founded in New Zealand in the early 2000s to commercialize the test and market “A2 Milk” as a premium milk that is healthier due to the lack of peptides from A1. A2 Milk even petitioned the Food Standards Australia New Zealand regulatory authority to require a health warning on ordinary milk.
Which Conditions Are Affected By A1 Milk And Dairy Products
A1 casein is potentially a trigger for Type 1 diabetes. It is also highly implicated in coronary artery disease and autoimmune disease.
Casein is involved in autism and schizophrenia. In fact, casomorphin is more damaging to the brain than the gliadorphin from gluten.
Casomorphins drug-like effect explains why it worsens anxiety and mood disorders and causes cravings for dairy and sugar. Also why it causes withdrawal symptoms when its stopped.
The inflammation from A1 casein causes lymphatic congestion, metabolic suppression, and weight gain.
A1 milk can worsen acne, eczema, upper respiratory infections, asthma, and allergies.
It causes digestive problems, and not because of the lactose. Its because of the massive histamine release from casomorphin.
Amongst my patients, I observe hat A1 casein drives endometriosis, and I believe it does so because of its inflammatory, immune-disrupting effect. I have yet to see one case of endometriosis that did not improve by avoiding A1 milk.
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Is A2 Milk Suited For People With A Dairy Allergy Or Lactose Intolerance
A2 milk still contains the A2 beta-casein protein and whey protein. If someone with a dairy allergy were to ingest either of these proteins, their body will elicit an immune response and cause an allergic reaction, making a2 milk an unacceptable and dangerous alternative. Even the a2 Milk® company admits that their milk is not safe for those who are allergic to cows milk.
Not sure if you have a dairy allergy? Click here to read 4 Unexpected Signs You May be Allergic to Dairy by one of our Switch4Good experts, Dr. Vivian Chen. You might be surprised by some of the delayed and discreet symptoms such as respiratory problems, joint pain, weight gain, and more.
In addition to not being suitable for dairy allergy sufferers, a2 milk may also cause side effects for those who are lactose intolerantthe same population this milk is marketed toward. While a2 milk does not contain the A1 protein , it does contain lactose sugars. Those with lactose intolerance cannot properly digest these sugars, resulting in equally uncomfortable symptoms. A2 milk is looking a lot like regular cows milkits just a marketing scheme.
Clinical Studies Of Beta
In contrast, differences in subjective measures of intolerance were not statistically significant. However, there were treatment differences in subjective measures of intolerance amongst the eight participants who considered themselves milk intolerant, which are of potential clinical significance.
It is also well understood that milk intolerances and gastrointestinal sensitivities will exhibit differently in different individuals. Accordingly, and given the multiplicity of biological effects, it is not unreasonable to expect that in some people, the dominant symptom from BCM-7 may be constipation, whereas in others it might be an increased looseness of stools. The close association in the A1 epoch between looser stools and measures of subjective discomfort, and the association between higher fecal calprotectin values and subjective intolerance measures when participants were receiving the A1 diet in the Ho et al. study is also supportive of the hypothesis that delayed gastrointestinal transit with associated discomfort followed by loose stools may be expected in at least some individuals.
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How To Deal With A Dairy Allergy: The Camel Milk Cure
Dairy is a very important food group. Whether its cheese, milk, or yogurt, every dairy-rich food you eat supplies your body with skeletally strengthening calcium. That means healthy teeth and happy bones. With one small cup of milk containing 13% of your recommended daily value, its an easy-to-drink essential mineral.
But what happens if you are allergic to dairy? What happens if your child is allergic to dairy? Will they grow up having weak bones and unhappy teeth? Will you go on to develop osteoporosis later in life?
Both scenarios are possible. Lets take a look at how camel milk could help lessen those risks.
Why Drink A2 Milk
You should note that A2 milk and regular milk both contain the substances that cause milk allergies. A2 milk simply does not have the A1 beta casein, which is linked to other diseases. A2 milk has the same levels of lactose as regular milk, so drinking A2 milk cannot solve a lactose intolerance or allergy problem. It is interesting to note that a factor in regular milk, BCM7, is released when A1 beta casein is digested. BCM7 is a strong opioid that can affect gut processes and mucus production causing some allergic or intolerance symptoms. BCM7 can also stimulate skin reactions and the release of histamine. A2 milk does not produce BCM7 on digestion.
If you do have an allergy to milk, you should talk to a medical professional before trying A2 milk. If you are allergic to the proteins in standard cow’s milk, you cannot drink A2 milk.
Originally published on Mar 19, 2009
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Drinking Camel Milk For Dairy Allergy
Cow milk, camel milk, or goat milk they all look white and creamy, but dig a little deeper and youll find very different ingredients. This is because milk composition is determined in a very similar way to hair color its genetically pre-programmed. The consequence is that cow breeds like the black-patched Holstein, produce predominantly A1 casein-containing milk.
Now you can probably imagine the DNA of a cow and camel to look very different. This in turn means their nutritional composition is also different.
Camel milk is solely or mostly made from A2 casein. Goodbye inflammatory A1 casein and hello heart healthy A2 casein. Camel milk also provides over double the amount of calcium cow milk does.
The bottom line: You can have a dairy allergy but still be able to get your daily dose of bone-protecting calcium with camel milk. Try adding a small tumbler glass of camel milk to your morning meal, cereal, or breakfast bowl.
The Inflammation From A1 Milk Is Mind
For some people, A1 milk is simply devastating to health. We can wish for milk to be healthy because of its calcium and protein. We can hope that milk is better if its raw or organic.
We cannot get around the fact that the dairy protein A1 casein is highly inflammatory for some people. In susceptible individuals, A1 casein is cleaved to form a powerful inflammatory opiate called casomorphin.
Not all cows produce A1 casein. It comes from Holstein and Friesian cows who are the dominant breeds in western Europe, North America, and Australia. Dairy cows in Africa, Asia, Iceland and southern Europe make milk with mostly A2 casein. Those countries have a lower incidence of the conditions discussed below.
Milk that has predominantly or exclusively A2 casein is fine for most people. I find this in my clinic again and again. Goats milk is A2. And so is milk from Jersey cows. Dairy products that are mostly fat are also fine.
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How Can Doctors Tell Its A Milk Allergy
If your doctor suspects you might have a milk allergy, he or she will probably refer you to an allergist or allergy specialist for more testing. The allergy specialist will ask you questions like how often you have the reaction, the time it takes between eating a particular food and the start of the symptoms, and whether any family members have allergies or conditions like eczema and asthma.
The allergy specialist may do a skin test on you. This involves placing liquid extracts of milk protein on your forearm or back, pricking the skin a tiny bit, and waiting to see if a reddish, raised spot forms, indicating an allergic reaction.
You may need to stop taking anti-allergy medications or prescription medicine 5 to 7 days before the skin test because they can affect the results. Most cold medicines and some antidepressants also may affect skin testing. Check with the allergists office if you are unsure about what medications need to be stopped and for how long.
The doctor also might take a blood sample and send it to a lab, where it will be mixed with some of the suspected allergen and checked for IgE antibodies.
These types of tests are used for diagnosing what doctors call a fast-onset type of milk allergy. But for people whose allergic reactions to milk develop more slowly, skin and blood tests are not as helpful.
