Re: The A2 milk case: a critical review

August 18, 2005

Hi All and Rodney,

So, try the pdf-available:

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 May;59(5):623-31. Related Articles, Links

The A2 milk case: a critical review.

Truswell AS.

This review outlines a hypothesis that A1 one of the common variants of

beta-casein,

a major protein in cows milk could facilitate the immunological processes that

lead

to type I diabetes (DM-I). It was subsequently suggested that A1 beta-casein may

also be a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), based on between-country

correlations of CHD mortality with estimated national consumption of A1

beta-casein

in a selected number of developed countries. A company, A2 Corporation was set

up in

New Zealand in the late 1990s to test cows and market milk in several countries

with

only the A2 variant of beta-casein, which appeared not to have the disadvantages

of

A1 beta-casein.The second part of this review is a critique of the A1/A2

hypothesis.

For both DM-I and CHD, the between-country correlation method is shown to be

unreliable and negated by recalculation with more countries and by prospective

studies in individuals. The animal experiments with diabetes-prone rodents that

supported the hypothesis about diabetes were not confirmed by larger, better

standardised multicentre experiments. The single animal experiment supporting an

A1

beta-casein and CHD link was small, short, in an unsuitable animal model and had

other design weaknesses.The A1/A2 milk hypothesis was ingenious. If the

scientific

evidence had worked out it would have required huge adjustments in the world's

dairy

industries. This review concludes, however, that there is no convincing or even

probable evidence that the A1 beta-casein of cow milk has any adverse effect in

humans.This review has been independent of examination of evidence related to A1

and

A2 milk by the Australian and New Zealand food standard and food safety

authorities,

which have not published the evidence they have examined and the analysis of it.

They stated in 2003 that no relationship has been established between A1 or A2

milk

and diabetes, CHD or other diseases.

PMID: 15867940

--- Rodney <perspect1111@...> wrote:

> Hi Francesca:

>

> As I said at the outset: " 4. " The principal dietary atherogen is

> milk protein beta-casein A1. Its effect is three times stronger than

> smoking " (I FELL OFF MY CHAIR READING THIS). "

>

> This is an absolutely stunning claim. But only if it is true (!!!).

> Of course I do not know if it is true. And we will not know for

> certain unless/until someone does some more studies with beta-casein

> A1 in animals that respond cardiovascularly in a similar way humans

> do. (Guinea pigs? Regular pigs? Humans?)

>

> However I do recollect other studies discussed here that suggested

> casein to be less than totally desirable. We will just have to wait

> and see if other studies get done. It doesn't matter much to me

> because I have for the most part avoided milk products because milk

> tends to make me sleepy during the day.

>

> On the other hand, for those who are on CRON and have excellent

> lipids data I would pay a lot of attention to the lipids data and not

> a lot to this study unless further work confirms it.

>

> I would like to see the study that was done, and the evidence

> collected, by those who say: " there is no relationship between CVD

> and beta-casein A1 " . I have seen the data for the opposite side of

> the argument and understand why they said it and realize it is very

> far from the last word on the subject - as did they, I think.

>

> Rodney.

Al Pater, PhD; email: old542000@...

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August 18, 2005