Question 1

Q: What is beta-casein in cow milk?

Accepted Answer

A: Beta-casein is a protein that makes up about 30% of the protein in cow's milk. It exists in two genetic variants: A1 and A2.

Question 2

Q: What is the difference between A1 and A2 beta-casein?

Accepted Answer

A: The difference is due to a single amino acid substitution at the 67th position in their amino acid chain. A1 beta-casein is present in cows of European origin, while almost all other mammals, including humans, exclusively have A2 type.

Question 3

Q: What is BCM7, and why is it problematic?

Accepted Answer

A: BCM7 is a peptide that breaks down from A1 beta-casein into 7 amino acids. It has opiate-like effects similar to narcotics such as morphine and can be harmful to low-density lipoproteins (LDL). BCM7 is resistant to degradation because its links between 7 amino acids are strong. When it enters the bloodstream, various problems can arise.

Question 4

Q: What health problems are associated with A1 beta-casein?

Accepted Answer

A: A1 beta-casein has been linked to autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and heart disease. However, these health issues are more likely to affect people with damaged digestive health or certain diseases such as celiac or gastrointestinal disease.

Question 5

Q: Can A2 beta-casein cause the same health problems as A1 beta-casein?

Accepted Answer

A: No. Studies have shown that A2 beta-casein does not have the same health risks as A1 beta-casein, and some individuals who have problems digesting A1 beta-casein can consume A2 beta-casein without any issues.

Question 6

Q: Is there milk available that contains only A2 beta-casein?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, milk that contains only A2 type without A1 beta-casein is available in some countries.

Question 7

Q: Are there any cows that naturally produce only A2 beta-casein?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, cows from Europe, India, and Africa that produce only A2 beta-casein exist. Buffalo also produce only A2 type like other mammals.

Question 8

Q: How does A1 beta-casein affect heart disease?

Accepted Answer

A: Research has discovered that A1 beta-casein, specifically BCM7, can lead to oxidative stress on LDL. This increases the risk of heart disease due to increased artery incidence and plaque accumulation.

Question 9

Q: How does A1 beta-casein affect type 1 diabetes?

Accepted Answer

A: There is a correlation between type 1 diabetes and antibodies to A1 beta-casein. These antibodies are believed to attack the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas due to similarities with BCM7's protein structure. Therefore, A1 beta-casein consumption could lead to the development of type 1 diabetes.

Question 10

Q: Is type 1 diabetes genetic?

Accepted Answer

A: Genetic predisposition plays a role; however, it is not purely genetic. Studies have shown that depending mostly on the diet, some countries have 100 times less type 1 diabetes rates than others. A Western diet is a significant contributor to the development of type 1 diabetes.

Question 11

Q: What are casomorphins and how are they related to autism and schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

A: Casomorphins are opioids that can be found in dairy products, specifically in A1 beta-casein. They have been linked to autism and schizophrenia through the "opioid excess" theory, which suggests that people with a genetic predisposition to these diseases are more susceptible to their development when exposed to environmental stressors that damage their gut and make it leaky.

Question 12

Q: Are casomorphins present in all milk products or just A1 milk?

Accepted Answer

A: Casomorphins are present in all milk products but are more potent in A1 milk. A2 milk, which is a variant of cow's milk without A1 beta-casein, is considered to be a healthier alternative for people who are sensitive to A1 milk.

Question 13

Q: Is there a difference in the potency of casomorphins obtained from A1 milk versus A2 milk?

Accepted Answer

A: Opioid casomorphins were produced by both A1 and A2 milk with no difference in potency. However, A1 milk is considered to be more potent overall due to the higher levels of A1 beta-casein.

Question 14

Q: Is there a correlation between consumption of dairy products and sudden infant death syndrome?

Accepted Answer

A: Opioid peptides from milk have long been theorized as a possible cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), as they may inhibit the respiratory center in the brainstem, leading to apnea and death.

Question 15

Q: Can avoiding gluten and casein improve symptoms of autism?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, many children with autism show significant improvements if they avoid gluten and casein as both BCM7 opiates obtained from A1 beta-casein and gluteomorphin derived from gluten can be associated with autism symptoms. In fact, of the seventy autistic children placed on a gluten-free and casein-free diet, 81% showed significant improvements over a period of 3 months.

Question 16

Q: Is there a difference in the structure of casein in human and cow milk?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, the structure of casein in human and cow milk is significantly different, matching only by 47%, especially if we have mutated A1 casein in the mix. Cow casomorphins bind tighter to the serotonin receptors in the brain than human ones, and there is much more casein in general in cow's milk, 15 times more than in human's milk.

Question 17

Q: Is breastfeeding better than formula feeding for infant development during the first year of life?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, breastfeeding has an advantage over artificial feeding for infants' development during the first year of life. Elevated basal irBCM (cattle casomorphins) was found in formula-fed infants showing a delay in psychomotor development and heightened muscle tone while the highest basal irHCM (human casomorphins) was observed in breast-fed infants with normal psychomotor development and muscle tone.

A1 Milk: Diabetes, Autism, and Heart Disease

Milk and Dairy: Health Risk Correlations

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