A2

I was being pressured to buy A2 milk. WTF? A little research later I find that…

There’s at least two types of beta casein in milk, the result of a genetic mutation about 10,000 years ago. Western herds are predominately the A1 type.

Our enzymes that chomp the beta casein produce different chemical products in our guts for the A1 and A2 varieties. Some companies have been promoting their A2 milk based on the negative health risks of A1 milk.

Responding to public interest in the marketing of A2 milk the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the scientific literature and published a review on the subject in 2009.

The EFSA found no relationship between chronic diseases and drinking milk with the A1 protein.

The EFSA study emphasized the dangers of drawing conclusions from correlations identified in epidemiological studies (i.e. correlations versus causations) and the dangers of not reviewing all the evidence at hand (i.e ‘cherry picking data’).

None of this stops the Australian a2 milk company claiming or implying all sorts of health benefits over A1 milk. Although they are smart enough to add this disclaimer:

“The a2 Milk Company™ has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the content and the representation of the scientific literature in the Health Professionals’ pages are accurate and not misleading. By presenting the scientific literature as reviews and/or as hyperlinks to scientific publications, The a2 Milk Company™ does NOT make any representation as to the health benefits of A2 dairy foods compared with non-A2 dairy foods. The website is provided ’on face value’ and The a2 Milk Company™ disclaims any and all liability for any third party’s personal interpretation of the scientific information and hyperlinks to any scientific publications in the Health Professionals’ pages. Material in this website should NOT be construed as endorsing any health claim for A2 dairy products…”

I might stick to Pauls.