WELCOME

THE A1 vs A2 MILK STORY

Dr. J. RAJU
Ph.D. Scholar
Animal Nutrition
PVNR Telangana Veterinary University
 THE A1 vs A2 MILK
STORY

• In September 2007 Keith

Woodford’s book. - NZ
• The story starts with the
remarkable epidemiological
evidence demonstrating the
strong association between
countries that have a high
intake of A1 milk and a high
incidence of both type 1
diabetes and heart disease.
 What Is A2 Beta-Casein?

• About 39% of the protein in cows' milk is beta-casein

• Transports essential minerals and nutrients such as calcium and
phosphorous
• There are genetic variants of beta casein; A1 and A2, with minor variants
either classed as A1 or A2-like.
• When digested beta casein can produce a range fragments with well
characterized biological activity

Composition of milk casein Composition of solids in

milk
 A2 is the Original type of Bovine Beta Casein

• A2 is recognised as being the original or ancestor beta casein

gene in modern cattle.
• Originally all domesticated cows produced milk containing only
the A2 type of beta casein, owing to natural genetic mutation, a
variant of the A2 protein appeared.
• Termed A1, it differs very slightly in composition from the
original A2 protein

Figure from: MILK PROTEIN POLYMORPHISM: DETECTION AND DIFFUSION OF THE GENETIC VARIANTS IN BOS GENUS, Annali della Facoltà
di Medicina Veterinaria, Vol. XIX, 1999. Università degli Studi di Parma ]
 Difference in Structure and Digestion of A2 vs. A1

Pro Pro Pro Asn

Tyr Phe Gly
Pro Ile
A2 release BCM - 9

digestion Amino Acid position 67

a2 beta casein
Val Tyr Pro Phe Pro Gly Pro Ile Pro Asn Ser Leu Pro
protein chain (209aa)

a1 beta casein Val Tyr Pro Phe Pro Gly Pro Ile His Asn Ser Leu Pro
protein chain (209aa)

digestion Amino Acid position 67

A1 releases BCM - 7
Tyr Gly Pro Ile
Reported as strong exorphin Pro Pro
Phe

Adapted from: Gobbetti M, Stepaniak L, De Angelis M, Corsetti A, Di Cagno R. Latent bioactive peptides in milk proteins: proteolytic activation and significance in dairy processing. Crit
Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2002;42(3):223-39. & Jinsmaa, Y & Yoshikawa, M. 1999. Enzymatic release of neocasomorphin and beta-casomorphin from bovine beta-casein. Peptides V20(8), pp
957-962.
7
 Breed Evolution and Beta Casein type

African bos indicus e.g.

Africander (A2)
bos indicus
Ancient bos Asian bos indicus
(Auroch ) eg. Brahman (A2)

African bos taurus eg.

Kuri (A2)
bos taurus
European bos taurus e.g.
Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey (A1
and A2 in all breeds)
>100,000 yrs ago
~5,000 yrs ago
taurus and indicus species
evolve from bos genus Variant A1 evolves through
natural mutation from beta
casein A2 in bos taurus
Figure adapted from information reported in:
1. Advanced Dairy Chemistry: Volume 1 - Proteins, Second Edition, edited by P.F. Fox and P. L. H. McSweeney pp 424 & 430
2. MILK PROTEIN POLYMORPHISM: DETECTION AND DIFFUSION OF THE GENETIC VARIANTS IN BOS GENUS, Annali della Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria,
Vol. XIX, 1999. Università degli Studi di Parma
3. Daniel G. Bradley, Ronan T. Loftus, Patrick Cunningham, David E. MacHugh (1998) ‘Genetics and domestic cattle Origins’ Evolutionary Anthropology V6;3
pp79-86

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 BCM7

The effects on human health of this tiny

protein fragment called beta-
casomorphin-7 (BCM7) which is a
powerful opioid or narcotic as well as
being an oxidant
 Problems with A1..?

Increased incidence of:

• Type 1 diabetes

• Leaky gut syndrome

• Heart diseases

• Others
13
 Recent research on BCM-7
• Previously studies established that:
• Digestion of A1 but not A2 produces protein fragment beta
casomorphin-7 (BCM-7)
• BCM-7 binds opiate receptors and has the potential to interact with
a range of tissues
• Precursor protein A1 is linked to a range of negative health
outcomes
• Recent clinical trials report BCM-7 production to physiologically relevant
levels in the gut of healthy adult humans. (Boutrou et al, 2013)
• A correlation between BCM-7 levels with delayed psychomotor function
in formula fed human infants has been reported (Kost et al, 2009)
• Serum BCM-7 has also been linked to the compromise of breathing in
infants fed A1 containing formula (Wasilewska et al, 2011) .
• A mechanism by which BCM-7 leads to oxidative stress and cell
dysfunction has subsequently been demonstrated (Trivedi et al, 2012).
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 Research Highlights

Though clinical trials are required to confirm links with health

conditions, the following is established:
• BCM-7 has the potential to bind opioid receptors expressed in
cells throughout the body, including digestive, immune and
neurological
• BCM-7 has been observed to be produced, absorbed and
circulated in some humans, particularly infants
• Emerging research links BCM-7 to adverse effects on infant
development and health, and intolerance type reactions in
adults
• Recently a mechanism by which BCM-7 triggers oxidative
stress in cells leading to changes in short and long term
function was demonstrated
Detailed scientific summaries and study references contained on www.betacasein.org and www.betacasein.net
 Devil in the Milk….?

Jersey cow produces A1 Milk

 Angel in the Milk…?

Indian cow produces A2 milk

Export potential …!!!
Thank you…