Abstract

Milk is the highly evolved secretion of mammary glands of mammals and the most perfect food for infants. However, casein free diet is recommended for infants with immunological sensitivities. Several variants of β-casein (~30% of cows’ milk-proteins) are genetically determined; A1, A2, A3, B, C etc. Among the genetic variants of beta-casein, the problematic type of casein protein found in milk is the A1 beta casein, devil in the milk. A1 and A2 milk variants differ by a single amino acid, resulting in differential secondary structure and enzymatic hydrolysis, i.e. A1 but not A2 β-casein liberates the β-casomorphin-7 (BCM7), which acts ~morphine. BCM7 is implicated in digestive, immune and brain development changes and strong correlation between consumption of BCM7 containing A1 milk. It is incidences of type-1 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases and other illness such as autism and schizophrenia are also reported. Thus, it’s the nation’s and government’s responsibility to cease cross breeding programmes and protect purity of older (indigenous) breeds through using semen for bulls that have been tested as being A2A2 and culling of A1A1 and A1A2 cows by selective retention of A2A2 calves.

Keywords:A1 and A2 Beta Casein; Beta Casomorphin; Devil in the milk