Did you know sixty-five percent of the global population is lactose intolerant?
As we age, the activity of our lactase enzyme, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, begins to decrease. If we are not properly breaking down these lactose sugars, they will get absorbed by the colon fully intact, causing an array of gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Are A2 products the answer for those with a dairy allergy or lactose intolerant? Don't be swayed by the marketing - it's still cow's milk.
A2 milk is milk from mother dairy cows that have been bred to not produce the A1 beta-casein protein, a form of the casein protein in milk. This type of cow’s milk exists because producers of A2 milk claim that this A1 protein causes stomach discomfort and bloating. However, this claim is not backed by sound research. On the a2 Milk® Company website, the company may reference “published research,” but it doesn’t actually provide any links to this research for their consumers to view.
A2 cow’s milk still contains the A2 beta-casein protein and whey protein. If someone with a dairy allergy were to ingest either of these proteins, their body will elicit an immune response, causing an allergic reaction making A2 milk an unacceptable and dangerous alternative. Even the A2 Milk Company admits that their milk is not safe for those who are allergic to cow’s milk.
I guess I'm pretty fortunate, my body processes dairy products very well and I'm able to enjoy cow, sheep and goat products regularly. I do focus on raw milk options (cheese!) whenever available.
So what's my overall takeaway? Don't be fooled by marketing and "miracle" options - listen to your body and its responses.