Everything you always wanted to know about Beta Casein

Nowadays, people are more aware of the way they eat and try to this in a healthy way. That’s one of the reasons why we get more questions about A2 every day. This is why we would like to take the opportunity to provide you with some more information about this topic.

What is A2?   
Cow milk exists for about 87% out of water. The other 13% are a composition of minerals, lactose, fat and protein and are the so called solids. The major component of protein is casein. The beta casein covers about 1/3 of the total casein. Beta casein is of great importance because it transports essential minerals and nutrients such as calcium and phosphorous and provides important materials for building strong muscles, bones and other body tissues.

There are two types of beta casein: A1 and A2. So a bull will be given either the combination A1/A1, A1/A2 or A2/A2. These combinations depend on the genes of both the dam and the sire. The distinction between both, is that A2 is considered to be the original gene in dairy cattle, while A1 was developed over the years because of a genetic mutation, which occurred when cattle was first domesticated.

Which benefits brings A2 milk?
The difference in protein composition between A1 and A2, seems to affect the way proteins are being broken down during digestion. According to several studies, people exclusively drinking A2 milk, are less sensitive to bloating and indigestion. Research has shown that digestive enzymes interact in different ways to A1 and A2 beta casein. Due to that, A1 and A2 milk are processed differently within the body. For this reason, some say A2 milk is more healthy than regular A1 milk.                   

Is it possible to breed for A2 milk?
It is definitely possible to breed for A2 milk. As explained, the animal receives one copy of the gene of the dam and one of its sire. Therefore, both the dam and the sire need at least one copy of the A2 allele, to obtain a change to get an animal that has the combination A2/A2. To be absolutely sure a heifer will produce A2/A2 milk once she’s fresh, there has to be a mating between a cow and a sire who both have two copies of the A2 gene. 

Is A2 interesting for people who have a lactose intolerance?
There is an equal amount of lactose in A2 milk as in A1 milk. This would mean A2 milk is not the answer for people who have a lactose intolerance. Though, it seems some doctors believe that the people who self-diagnosed their intolerance, might relate to an aversion to A1 milk, rather than having a lactose intolerance. In these cases, drinking A2 milk instead of regular milk, may help prevent the side-effects.

Our A2/A2 bulls: