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11.15 – 11.45

The science and process behind a2 Milk

Melanie Bibby MSc, RNutr Nutrition Manager, a2 Milk

Drink Well & Evidence Base

Melanie Bibby Nutrition Manager

RNutr. MSc.

Foods Matter Live

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Introduction

• What is a2 Milk.

• Composition and differences between cows’ milk

• The science behind a2 Milk

• How a2 Milk started

• The research behind a2 Milk

• a2 Milk and milk intolerance

• Endorsements

• Key points/Q&A’s

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What is a2 Milk™?

• Natural cows’ milk

• From cows’ that only produce A2 protein

• Regular cow’s milk contains mostly A1 protein

• Originally all cows’ produced A2 and not A1

• Comes from farms in Shropshire and North Wales

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Composition and differences between cows’ milk All cows’ milk is a good source of nutrients

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Composition and differences between A1 milk and a2

Milk™

A2 types of beta casein

do not release BCM-7

A1 types of beta casein and

related sub-variants release

BCM-7 preferentially

Ser a2 beta casein

protein chain

a1 beta casein

protein chain Val Pro Phe Pro Gly Pro Ile

Tyr

Pro Phe Pro

Gly Pro Ile

Amino Acid position 67

Amino Acid position 67

Asn Ser Leu Pro

Tyr Pro

Phe Pro Gly

Pro Ile

Pro

Asn

Val Pro Phe Pro Gly Pro Ile Pro Leu Pro

digestion

digestion

Asn

Tyr

Tyr His

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The science behind a2 Milk™

• BCM7 is a food derived exorphin.

• BCM-7 is thought to act as an opioid and can bind opioid

receptors in digestive, immune and brain tissue in a similar way

to GD7 from gluten.

• It has the potential to be produced, absorbed and circulated in

some humans, particularly infants.

• Research indicates that BCM7 can affect digestion, cognition

and heart health in some people.

• Processing of milk can lead to more BCM7.

Detailed scientific summaries and study references contained on

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The science behind a2 Milk™

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Tyr 6 0-P ro 6 1-P h e 6 2- P ro 6 3-G ly 6 4-P ro 6 5- l l e 6 6-H is 6 7

Tyr 6 0-P ro 6 1-P h e 6 2- P ro 6 3-G ly 6 4-P ro 6 5- l l e 6 6-P ro 6 7

Tyr 5 1-P ro 5 2-P h e 5 3- Va l 5 4-G lu 5 5 -P ro 5 6- l l e 5 7 -P ro 5 8

B o vin e β - c a s e in A1

B o vin e β - c a s e in A2

H u ma n β -c a s e in

The science behind a2 Milk™ a2 Milk, human, goat and sheep beta casein proteins are comparable to A2 not A1

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How a2 Milk™ started

• 1980s: Research started into the effects of peptides from gluten and

casein on behaviour.

• 1990s: Epidemiological studies found correlations between chronic

disease and the type of milk consumed.

• 2000s: a2 Milk started in Australia where it now has over 10% market

share.

• 2012: a2 Milk launched in the UK in Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose and

Ocado.

• 2014: Available in Sainsburys.

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>100,000 yrs ago

taurus and indicus species

evolve from bos genus

European bos taurus e.g.

Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey

(A1 and A2 in all breeds)

African bos taurus

eg. Kuri (A2)

African bos indicus

e.g. Africander (A2)

Asian bos indicus

eg. Brahman (A2)

bos

taurus

bos

indicus

~5,000 yrs ago

Variant A1 evolves through

natural mutation from beta

casein A2 in bos taurus

Ancient bos

(Auroch )

The research behind a2 Milk™ A1 became dominant in Europe because of extensive milking

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The research behind a2 Milk™

• Over 100 pieces of research underpinning a2 Milk

• Research links BCM7 to:

• Digestive issues (delayed GITT)

• Atopic dermatitis (inflammation)

• Behavioural issues (opioid effect)

• Heart health (oxidation of LDL)

• Infants (permeated gut)

• Mucous (stimulated goblet cells)

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The research behind a2 Milk™ 2014 .

Area Findings Type

Digestion Ho et al

Statistical difference in

digestion between A1 and A2.

Human

Digestion Barnet el al Gut inflammation leading to

longer transit time.

Rat

Digestion Ul Haq BCM7 causes gut

inflammation. Increased IgG

Mice

Skin Fiedorowicz Link between BCM7 and

eczema.

Human

Brain cells Trivedi Oxidative stress/inflammation Cell line

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a2 Milk™ and milk intolerance Who will benefit from a2 Milk™?

• Cows’ milk allergy is an immune mediated reaction. This accounts for 2% of the UK population and most of these are children. a2 Milk is not suitable for these people.

• 1 in 5 people find it hard to digest milk (20%)

• 1 in 20 people in the UK are diagnosed as lactose (sugar) intolerant (5%)

• An intolerance is a non immunological reaction caused by enzyme deficiencies (lactose intolerance), pharmacological agents and naturally occurring substances.

• Lactose intolerance is confused with A1 protein intolerance but the two are sometimes connected.

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a2Milk™ - Endorsements

• a2 Milk has been appointed a member of the Bone Health Partnership by leading charity, the National Osteoporosis Society.

• The charity’s Scientific Officer reviewed the science underpinning a2 and approved the collaboration

• NOS recommends a2 Milk for those who are milk intolerant.

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Dr Hilary Jones – Presenter and NHS GP

• In some people, a strong family history of food allergy can often allow milk protein

allergy to persist into adulthood and many scientific studies point to a specific reaction against the A1 beta-casein protein fraction, which, when not properly digested may lead to inconvenient and sometimes unpleasant symptoms.

• All may not be lost however as an alternative to A1 milk is now available in the form of a2 milk which does not contain the offending protein. It may not be the solution for everyone's problems with cow's milk allergy but it is well worth trying if the symptoms and the cause is not proven or worse still purely based on guess-work as it often is. Thousands of people experimenting with A2 milk which is now freely available and is exactly the same as A1 milk in every other way have benefitted by incorporating it into their regular diet again and are reaping the nutritional rewards without symptoms of former intolerance. In Australia in particular where it was introduced many years ago it has answered the prayers of many.

a2Milk™ - Endorsements

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a2Milk™ - Endorsements

“The milk has truly changed our lives. Noah is a much happier baby now that

he has a2 Milk which doesn’t upset his tummy. I am also much happier

knowing that he will grow up strong with all the nutrients of cows’ milk”

Dr Sara Webb- Krohl, Mother to Noah (18 months)

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a2Milk™ - Endorsements

“I assumed I was lactose intolerant but when I drank a2 milk I was surprised that it didn't give me diarrhoea.”

“

“Loving your milk i have not been able to have milk products

since 2005, now I can have been able to have custard, rice

pudding and porridge made with milk” - Judi

“36 years ago my baby daughter was about 10 months old. The

clinic told me I could give her cows milk (delivered to the

doorstep by the milkman). She started being very sick at that

time and I consulted our GP on the subject. He wasn't very

helpful and said he had never come across a baby who was

allergic to milk. When she was 5 years old the school matron

called me and said she had never seen a child produce so much

vomit! I said I had talked to our GP about it and he hadn't a clue

what the problem was. I have bought a2 milk myself and find it

to be extremely digestible. What is remarkable about it is that it

does not go 'off' like regular milk. It does not leave me feeling

'bloated'. I like it very much and hope to be able to buy it

regularly. Maureen

“Just wanted to tell you what a fantastic product a2 is...my

one year old struggled with constipation on formula and we

couldn’t give him cows milk due to a dairy intolerance

causing his eczema to flair up. My sister found a2 and we

gave it a go (anything had to be better than soya!) Archie

doesn’t struggle with tummy ache nowadays, but more to

the point, he can have a2 and his eczema is fine!! have told

my health visitor about it and managed to get my local

Tesco Hindley to stock it....one very happy customer with

an eczema free little boy :) “ - Alison

“Hi there. Thank you so much for introducing A2 milk. It has

made such a difference to my life. I get symptoms of skin itching

and hives if I drink ordinary milk, but am fine with A2 milk. Do you

have any plans to produce cheese or butter with A2 milk? I'm

sure it would be very well received by those like me who love

cheese but can no longer have it. best regards and keep up the

good work”. Alison “Hi - Just started drinking a2 Milk here in the Uk and

wanted to say a huge Thank You! For 44 years I've

struggled with symptoms doctors have attributed to

childhood asthma initially and latterly COPD and within a

few days of drinking a2 (having suspected for a long time

that I actually had some kind of milk intolerance and

getting nowhere with the likes of lactase supplements) my

symptoms have all but disappeared - who'd have thought

it! Thanks Guys!!! Matt :o)”

“Hi I just wanted to say how excellent your milk is I have been

using it for the past few weeks and I have to tell you I won't be

going back to my usual brand I will be using your milk from now

on. Its very high quality and good value for money which is

important with 5 children so thankyou for making excellent milk

and I hope to continue to be a customer of your s for years to

come “. Gareth

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a2Milk™ - Key Points • All cows’ milk is a good source of nutrients

• a2 Milk™ is a natural cows’ milk without A1 protein

• It is suitable for those intolerant to A1 protein

• It is bringing people back to milk.

• Firm scientific basis with a need for further research

• Identifying the most susceptible groups/human trials

• Support from KOLs representing disciplines of allergy, endocrinology,

behaviour and academic research