Recently finally available at the supermarket; Jersey A2 Cow's Milk, a healthy alternative to regular milk. Jersey A2 cow's milk comes from a different breed of cow. A cow that also produces a different type of milk namely A2 milk instead of like the regular A1 milk. Cow's milk contains protein, 82% of which is casein. Previously, all cow's milk contained beta-casein A2. The so-called primal milk. Hundreds of years ago, as a direct result of relocation and adaptation a mutation occurred in the European breeds that changed the genetic makeup in the beta-casein protein. This new variant of beta-casein is known as protein A1-beta-casein. A1-casein contains a particular amino acid called histidine. Histidine is a precursor to histamine, a substance normally found in food (and in your intestines) that most people can simply break down. However, some people cannot do so adequately, which can cause symptoms. A1 milk is thus more likely to cause these kinds of histamine-related complaints (which may explain why some people call the milk "mucus-forming": in response to the histamine, you may get more/thicker mucus formation in your airways and intestines, although I still find the term "mucus-forming" agonizingly inaccurate). In the process, because of the histidine component, the beta-casein is digested in a different way. This produces a substance called BCM-7, which is similar to an opioid substance. This is exactly what you think it is: it makes you (unnaturally) calm and maybe even a little dull. Say drugs. The presence of BCM-7 can be measured in blood and urine and is increased in people with autism and schizophrenia, for example, who consume milk products from A1 cows. Incidentally, some people are more sensitive to this than others; it makes a difference, for example, whether the tight junctions between your intestinal wall cells are intact, or whether they easily allow substances such as BCM-7 to pass through. A2 casein does not contain histidine but proline. Therefore, no (or much less) histamine and BCM-7 are produced. Among other things, fewer cardiovascular diseases occur in populations that primarily drink A2 milk, and people with autism and schizophrenia who drink A2 milk instead of A1 milk seem to have fewer severe symptoms. source 1
What is A2 milk?
Milk from a cow contains many types of protein including whey and Beta casein, among others. Of the casein protein, there are again three types: alpha, kappa and beta. Beta-casein has two varieties: A1 and A2. As a cow, you have one, the other, or both. The A1 and/or A2 proteins are in the cow's genes: thus, the milk contains A1 and/or A2 casein, respectively. In cows with A1 proteins, BCM-7 is released in the milk, and that's what matters. BCM-7 is an oxidant, which is suspected to have a negative impact on digestion, among other things. Much research is being done on the effects of BCM-7 on cardiovascular disease and diabetes, among other things. It also makes you (unnaturally) quiet and maybe even a little dull (small children are traditionally given milk to sleep better, for example). The presence of BCM-7 can be measured in blood and urine and is increased in people with, for example, AD(H)D, autism and schizophrenia who consume milk products from A1 cows. Incidentally, some people are more sensitive to this than others; it makes a difference, for example, whether the tight junctions between your intestinal wall cells are intact, or whether they easily allow substances such as BCM-7 to pass through. It also matters whether you have enough specific enzymes to break down BCM-7. A2 casein does not contain histidine but proline. Therefore, no (or much less) histamine and BCM-7 are produced. Among other things, fewer cardiovascular diseases occur in populations that primarily drink A2 milk, and people with autism and schizophrenia who drink A2 milk instead of A1 milk seem to have fewer severe symptoms. source 1 The new Jersey A2 cow's milk is now available at several supermarkets and health food stores.
The advantage of the "new" Jersey A2 Cow's Milk?
The advantage of A2 cow's milk is both the higher percentage of fat per 100ml and the higher percentage of protein per 100ml making it ideal for frothing cappuccino. Per 100ml, Jersey whole Organic cow's milk contains 6.0 grams of fat and 4.2 grams of protein. Per 100ml, regular Organic whole cow's milk contains 3.5 grams of fats and 3.5 grams of protein.
Does the new A2 Jersey cow's milk have any benefits for the farmer himself?
A Jersey cow is efficient - she gives less milk than a Holstein Friesian, but that milk has higher fat and protein contents. A Jersey eats 30% less, and our pedigree cows have a small failure rate according to Holland Jersey men.
