A1 Versus A2 Milk

After having read up on milking cows last year (still hoping to get a family milking cow...or two...), I had come across the information regarding A1 versus A2 milk.

In short, the A1 beta-casein protein found in milk, which is thought to be a genetic mutation and is often produced in the Holstein breed (main commercial breed, thus affecting most of the population), has been implicated in connection with many illnesses including heart disease, Type 1 diabetes and autism, as well as dairy intolerance and auto-immune diseases. Some breeds of cows, to include Jerseys and Guernseys, produce A2 beta-casein instead, or in much higher quantity. This protein is thought to be the original, un-mutated and more natural (or "wild") type of beta-casein, and is preferred by people that are concerned with the association of disease caused by A1 beta-casein.

By a simple DNA test which is accomplished from testing the hair of a cow, it can be determined whether the cow produces A1 or A2. Though more research would help, I am convinced that purchasing a dairy cow (or the milk thereof) which produces A2 milk could be beneficial. As we strive for the highest level of excellence in all areas of our life, family, and farm, I believe A2-producing cattle to be superior, so that is what we will be looking for when it comes to buying that family cow.

Hopefully we will be able meet that goal this year!


For more reading on the subject, please see the following:

http://hoperefugefarm.com/archives/243

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/09/the-devil-in-the-milk.aspx

http://www.a2milk.com.au/faq.php