What is A2/A2 organic milk? As someone who’s lactose-intolerant, I’ve never really investigated milk. I tried lactose-free ice cream decades ago and when that didn’t work, I gave up on milk.
There is a lot of milk in the marketplace. In Canada, for example, milk does not have any antibiotics in it. When cows become ill, they often receive antibiotics, so dairies exclude their milk during a specified withdrawal period. It appears the same for the UK, EU, and Australia. Antibiotic-free seems to vary and it can mean “safe levels”.
Then there is milk from grass-fed cows and raw milk, like from Raw Farm. On the Raw Farm USA website, there’s an infographic (below) that shows the difference between the different kinds of milk. With raw milk, however, unlike other processes, enzymes, probiotics, healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and calcium remain.
So this is about how the cow and milk are treated. Now, what about the genetics of the cow?
So what is A2/A2 Milk?
In cow milk, the majority of proteins are caseins, which include four types – alpha S1, alpha S2, beta-casein, and kappa-casein. Among these, beta-caseins are most abundant and they are either A1 or A2. Human milk is entirely A2, while cow’s milk is A1, A2, or a mix of the two. Certain breeds such as Guernsey and Jersey show a higher proportion producing A2/A2 milk. Goat and camel milk are primarily A2. So, mammals, it would seem, drink and digest A2 milk.
A1 is a mutation that occurred in cows at some point in Europe. This means that cattle in America these days often also have the A1 mutation. The mutation, on the other hand, did not affect cows in Asia. Since the mutation, however, we have not evolved as a species to digest A1 milk. Some people can tolerate A1 milk better than others.
(Note: the term A2 is trademarked; A2/A2 and A2 refer to the same thing.)
Genetic tests show whether the cow produces A1, A2 or a combination of beta-casein protein. A1/A1 = 100% A1 beta-casein protein; A1/A2 = mix of the two; and A2/A2 = 100% A2 beta-casein protein.
Amongst the 15 different variants of beta casein identified to date, A1 and A2 hold importance due to their association with human health. These two variants differ at one amino acid at 67th position (proline-A2 to histidine-A1) of the 229 amino acid chain of beta casein.
Sohi (2021)
The difference between A1 and A2 is small structurally while its impact on digestion appears to be significant. A1 protein, unlike A2 protein, breaks down to the peptide BCM7. Consumption of A1 milk is linked with gastrointestinal discomfort and inflammation. (Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism)
Digestion of A1 milk -> beta-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7) bioactive peptide is generated (studies indicate that BCM-7, an opioid peptide, may be linked to disease and call for further exploration)
Digestion of A2 milk -> beta-casomorphin 9 (BCM-9) bioactive peptide is generated
In a 2016 study of 45 Han Chinese subjects, the participants drank milk containing both A1 and A2 beta-caseins and then milk with exclusively A2 beta-casein. At the start of the study and in between the consumption of the two types of milk, subjects clear out with a 14-day washout period.
This study found that drinking milk with both beta-caseins showed increased symptoms of post-dairy digestive discomfort, elevated inflammation-related biomarkers, and lowered cognitive speed and accuracy. On the other hand, consumption of milk with only A2 beta-casein did not lead to these results in lactose-tolerant and lactose-intolerant subjects.
Digestion of A1 milk -> beta-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7) bioactive peptide is generated (studies indicate that BCM-7, an opioid peptide, may be linked to disease and call for further exploration)
Digestion of A2 milk -> beta-casomorphin 9 (BCM-9) bioactive peptide is generated
On the other hand, some people point out that while those who are lactose intolerant may better tolerate A2/A2, this milk still contains lactase. People who are lactose intolerant are unable to produce any or insufficient levels of the enzyme lactase needed to break down the sugar in milk, lactose. So because raw milk still has microbes and enzymes, raw A2/A2 milk may be the best option for those who are lactose intolerant. Raw milk is also believed to be important for healthy teeth.
Where to buy A2/A2 milk and dairy products?
In the US, Miller’s Bio Farm offers a variety of raw milk from grass-fed cows and water buffalo and from goats who are either fed hay and/or organic soy-free feed. The milk comes from several (mostly Amish) farms in Pennsylvania, such as Creekside Organic Acres, Crystal Brook Farm, and Miller’s Bio Farm. An Amish farmer, Aaron Miller, converted his herd for A2/A2 milk which they test.
Alexandre Family Farm is located in northern California. You can find their products on their website. I spotted their milk and yoghurt at California Fresh in central coast California.
Sprouts and Whole Foods also carry A2/A2 milk and dairy products.
You can locate a shop in the US on a2milk.com, a New Zealand company (a2milk.nz). This company also supplies other countries, with varying products. In Hong Kong, for example, only powder is available. For my friends in Singapore, it appears Cold Storage carries A2 products. (Full cream that appears out of stock). I encourage you to investigate where A2/A2 milk may be sold where you live.
Sohi, Monika et al. Chapter 30 – Harnessing potential of A2 milk in India: an overview, Science Direct, 2021, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323905831000167
Jianqin, Sun et al. Effects of milk containing only A2 beta casein versus milk containing both A1 and A2 beta casein proteins on gastrointestinal physiology, symptoms of discomfort, and cognitive behavior of people with self-reported intolerance to traditional cows’ milk, 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27039383
