Scientists figured out why some people can not consume milk: it is not about lactose

It is widely believed that adults should not drink milk because their stomachs cannot digest it. The reason for this is mostly called lactose intolerance. However, scientists have found that the root of the problem is actually hidden in the gene mutations of cows.

They occurred thousands of years ago and divided these animals into two types: bad A1 and good A2, and milk, respectively, is "aggressive" and "gentle" for the human body, UNIAN reports. Experts say that the latter is already available on the shelves of Ukrainian stores, so everyone can consume milk without harm.

"From time immemorial, evolutionary cloven-hoofed animals have produced only A2. It's wild, ancient, and everyone is designed for it. That is, it is the milk of buffaloes, goats, African cows and Asian cows. However, somewhere in Antalya, Turkey, a mutation in DNA occurred," Viktor Dosenko, professor, doctor of medical sciences, head of the Department of General and Molecular Pathophysiology at the Bogomolets Institute of Physiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, explained.

According to him, since then, cows have been divided into A1, A2, and a mixed hybrid (A1A2). No one had ever known about this mutation, let alone even guessed about it until the early 2000s. That is, until scientists in New Zealand and Australia began to investigate why not all people can drink cow's milk.

At first, they explained everything by lactose intolerance. However, only a small number of people have this problem, gastroenterologist Lilia Yamroz emphasized. She added that lactose intolerance should not be confused with an allergy to the product.

What is the peculiarity of A1 milk and is there A2 in Ukraine?

It turned out that there is a small but very significant difference in cow's milk for the human digestive system. It is hidden in β-Casein, a protein that affects the digestion and perception of the product itself.

After drinking unhealthy A1 milk, which is produced only by mutated cows, the human body will signal that it does not want it. As a result, beta-Casomorphine is formed in the intestines, and skin eczema, diarrheal syndrome, and constipation may appear.

It is known that Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, China, and the Philippines have already partially or completely switched to good cow's milk of type A2.

Ukraine still has the largest number of cows that produce A1 milk. The Institute of Physiology studied the DNA of 2000 cattle. There were 65% of A1 and mixed-type cows, and 35% of healthy A2 cows.

It takes 5-6 years to switch completely to A2. This is beneficial for farms and producers who will have more people buying their milk. Of course, there are those who don't care what kind of milk they drink. It's all about the peculiarities of everyone's digestive system, which also change throughout life. Still, scientists are confident that those who could not drink milk before will now be able to drink A2.