Devil in the Milk: BCM7 and Your Health
Keith Woodford's enlightening book Devil in the Milk: Illness, Health, and the Politics of A1 and A2 Milk certainly clarified for me many of the health concerns surrounding milk. Here he presents current research connecting consumption of A1 milk to such diseases as heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, mental disease, autoimmune disease, and allergies / sensitivities.
Very briefly and simply, in the beta-casein of A1 milk (virtually all milk available in the American market), the amino acid position 67 is taken by histidine (rather than proline, as in A2 milk). Because the histidine is a weak link in the chain, digestion of the beta-casein consistently breaks down to produce a sequence of seven amino acids known as BCM7—a recognized morphine. (The proline in the beta-casein of A2, by contrast, provides such a strong chemical link, that it will never, it is said, break down during digestion to produce BCM7.) This production of BCM7 is especially damaging if the intestinal system has been compromised, such as by ulcers or damaged intestinal villi. In this case, the morphine has free entrance into the bloodstream, and can cross the blood-brain barrier, as well as cause problems at various other sites of the body. Even without a leaky gut, BCM7 slows passage through the intestines, allowing lactose to ferment in the intestines and thus exacerbating lactose sensitivity / intolerance and other digestive problems.
This is certainly a book that will eventually be included in my personal health library. Meanwhile, what does this mean for me?
Rejoice that our source of raw milk comes from A2 cows! (Let it be known, however, that from what I know about milk I would encourage raw milk (A1 or 2) for those with a healthy intestinal system, rather than pasteurized (A1 or A) milk.
Continue to reduce my consumption of the pasteurized A1 milk and dairy products purchased from the supermarket.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010