What do heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, autism and schizophrenia have in common? They may be linked to a certain protein in milk.  How many people in the world drink milk? You do the math. In a new book by Keith Woodford called Devil in the Milk: Illness, Health, and the Politics of A1 and A2 Milk–a bestseller in New Zealand where it was first published–these links are made. And the findings are frightening.

From AlterNet.org:

A mutant protein has invaded the world’s dairy supply, including, most likely, the milk in your fridge.

The protein, called A1 beta-casein, is well known in the scientific community. While most dairy companies, trade groups and government agencies consider it harmless, a growing body of research implicates A1 beta-casein in diabetes, heart disease, autism and schizophrenia.

The original mutation occurred several thousand years ago, causing cow zero and its offspring to produce milk in which the amino acid histidine occupies the 67th position of the beta-casein protein found in milk solids.

The amino acid proline occupies that position in the nonmutant, original form of the A2 protein. Today, the average vessel of milk contains milk from many cows, with a mixture of both A1 and A2 beta-casein.

Keith Woodford, a professor of farm management and agribusiness at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand, is spreading the word about what he believes to be the dangers of milk containing A1 beta-casein.

His book, Devil in the Milk, builds on more than 100 peer-reviewed studies to present a compelling case that A1 milk poses substantial health risks.

The book is a technical read, and conspiracy theorists will find it gripping, as Woodford details the extent to which corporations and government bodies with entrenched interests in maintaining A1 milk’s reputation have disputed, ignored and silenced evidence suggesting there might be a problem.

If Woodford is right, those fighting to sweep this research under the rug are endangering the health of millions, if not billions, and for little in the way of return. He says it would be a simple matter to remove A1 beta-casein from the word’s milk supply.

Read the entire article here.

Share

 Printer-Friendly

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 10:14 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.