Milk Made for a Happy Gut

 A Simple Fix for Digestive Disorders – a2 Milk™

There are certain foods which I’d really hate to have to give up.  Milk is one – for the most part, I don’t like black tea and coffee and I use milk a lot in cooking too.  And, I know from the handful of food intolerances which I currently have, it’s quite possible to develop a problem with a particular food at any point in time.  So far, for me, that has been apples, hazelnuts, chia seeds and strawberries.  I’ve grown out of the first two but the others remain and cause me a lot of angst.  And, I also know that cows’ milk and dairy are often the first thing blamed for digestive disorders, the kind of food intolerances that cause IBS and I do wonder if my own digestive problems are due to a milk intolerance.

I’m pleased to learn that there’s a potential solution.

Current research suggests that a milk and dairy intolerance is often not due to lactose, but to the milk protein, something called ‘A1 beta-casein’.  If you drink milk which only has A2 milk protein the problems go away.

The Functional Gut Clinic has been running some research to see whether IBS patients with a perceived milk and dairy intolerance have different responses to A1 and A2 milk protein and it does appear that by drinking milk containing A2 protein only, people either had no symptoms or mild symptoms only.  All of those who were given A1 milk, by contrast, had an increase in their typical symptoms.

Now, with an estimated 9.6 million Brits suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), that’s a real step forward.  By switching to a2 Milk™, those who had previously been forced to cut milk out of their diet can enjoy it again.

This exciting news follows research on A1 and A2 milk proteins which was published last April in the Nutrition Journal. The research tested the effects of the A1 versus A2 protein types on participants with either clinically or self-diagnosed lactase deficiency/lactose intolerance, all of whom could drink a2 Milk™ without any digestive or gastrointestinal problems whatsoever.

Anyone who, like me, has suffered from food intolerances or has kids with food intolerances will know what a big step forward this is.  Most people can’t taste any difference at all and even if you don’t count yourself as having a dairy intolerance, it may be worth trying a2 Milk™ as part of an elimination diet if you are wondering why you are feeling bloated or getting indigestion.  And, it comes as full-fat for those who like a creamier taste and semi-skimmed for those, like me, who are watching their weight.

I know I am planning to buy some the next time I spot it in the shops.  For more about a2 Milk™ do check their website.

Disclosure:  I have received a fee for writing this post.  All content is editorially given.