Levels of key antioxidant – Glutathione – is naturally boosted by drinking a2 Milk™
October 25, 2016
A recently published study in the UK based Nutrition Journal reports that the consumption of a2 Milk™ increases the natural production of the antioxidant glutathione (also known as GSH).
Hailed as ‘mother of all antioxidants’ by Dr Mark Hyman of the Huffington Post and Medical Director at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, glutathione is reported to be a key antioxidant widely recognised for its association with a range of health benefits, with recent research reporting that dairy consumption is linked to elevated levels of GSH.
This recent study demonstrates that a2 Milk™ consumption in some people significantly increases glutathione levels in the blood compared to conventional milk.
Results obtained from the analysis of blood samples derived from the double blind human clinical trial demonstrate that consumption of conventional milk (containing A1 and A2 proteins) increases GSH levels as compared to people not consuming dairy milk. Additional to this it was demonstrated that following the consumption of a2 Milk™ (naturally containing only the A2 protein and free from A1 protein) serum GSH levels were significantly higher, by approximately 2x that of conventional milk. The table and descriptive key extracted from the study is set out below: Median glutathione (GSH) concentrations before and after consumption of milk. Participants consumed milk containing both the A1 and A2 types, or only the A2 type of β-casein. Data are shown for the first of two repeated measures in each participant; the results of both measures were similar. The phase difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0059) but the cross-over difference was not significant (P = 0.7615) (Wilcoxon two-sample test). A1 = milk containing A1 and A2 β-casein; A2 = milk containing only A2 β-casein; BL = baseline; WO = washout
First author of the study, Dr Richard Deth, Professor of Pharmacology at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA said, “It was quite remarkable to find that consumption of milk containing only the A2 type of beta-casein protein produced measurably higher blood levels of the antioxidant glutathione as compared to conventional milk (which has a combination of A1 and A2 proteins).
“From our earlier research we could appreciate how important glutathione is for combating inflammation and how critical it is for normal brain development and function. While we have previously shown that opiate peptide from the A1 protein in conventional milk can affect glutathione levels in cultured cells and lab animals, it is satisfying to see these effects in people.”
The research reported that “Because GSH also plays a major role in detoxification, the two-fold higher plasma GSH concentration associated with the consumption of milk containing only A2 beta-casein protein may provide greater protection against a range of environmental exposures.”
The study analysed the blood of Chinese consumers with milk digestive issues, the results of which were initially reported on in April 2016. The next step is to demonstrate the findings are replicated at one level or another in differing population groups. Further research investigating the potential benefits of a2 Milk™ is planned across other markets including USA.
This recent study is a positive step into a new area of research exploring the potential positive health and wellness benefits of consuming a2 Milk™ over conventional milk for a range of people.
For further information contact:
Rick Willis
Network Four
+61 (0)411 839 344 [email protected]
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