A double-blind, randomized, cross-over study, published in the UK-based, peer-reviewed Nutrition Journal, reported that consumption of milk containing only A2 beta casein protein type (sold in the US as a2 Milk®) reduced acute gastrointestinal symptoms compared to drinking conventional milk (containing both A1 and A2 beta casein proteins) in participants with self-reported lactose intolerance. The study authors say their findings demonstrate that, in some individuals with self-reported lactose intolerance, the adverse gastrointestinal symptoms following consumption of conventional milk may be related to the presence of A1 beta casein protein rather than lactose itself: Nutrition Journal.
a2 Milk® has recently expanded distribution into the Northeast and is now available in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. This is in addition to current distribution in the Southeast and California. Retailers that carry a2 Milk® now include Wegmans, Stop & Shop, Giant Carlisle, Giant Landover, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Safeway, King Soopers, Target, Ralphs, Publix and ShopRite.
The clinical trial conducted in China and involving 600 adult Han Chinese investigated the “acute” impacts of drinking 300mL (a little more than 1 cup) of milk on symptoms often associated with milk intolerance, with the effects being measured at 1, 3 and 12 hours. All of the participants were non-regular milk drinkers who had not consumed milk for at least four weeks prior to the trial, and who self-reported as lactose intolerant. After drinking A1 protein-free milk (a2 Milk®), participants reported fewer and/or less severe gastrointestinal symptoms compared to when they drank conventional milk. The study was run through international contract research organization (CRO) SPRIM and was sponsored by The a2 Milk Company.
The participants were chosen from 1,200 consumers who had self-diagnosed lactose intolerance and digestive discomfort after consuming conventional milk. Two hundred participants were then selected from each of three major Chinese cities: Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. Of the 600 self-diagnosed participants, 71% were confirmed as lactose malabsorbers, reflecting a compromised ability to digest lactose.
The authors concluded that: “milk-related gastrointestinal symptoms may result from the ingestion of A1 beta casein rather than lactose in some individuals.” They also stated: “These results suggest that the elimination of A1 beta casein from the diet was associated with reduced severity of acute gastrointestinal symptoms after milk intake in this population.”
The a2 Milk Company™ works with local US dairy farmers to identify cows that only produce the A2 protein type and process their milk separately, making it possible for those with sensitivities to enjoy real cows’ milk.
a2 Milk® products include Whole, 2% Reduced Fat, Chocolate 2% Reduced Fat and 1% Low Fat.
Source: Businesswire
