Some adults or children may feel uncomfortable with digestion after consuming milk. The reason could be due to two things, lactose intolerance or sensitive to cow's milk. Lactose intolerance and sensitivity to cow's milk are two different things, but have symptoms that are similar to each other. Consider the difference between lactose intolerance and sensitivity to cow's milk below.
Cow's milk is known as a source of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin D. However, not everyone is suitable to drink milk. There are those who feel heartburn and some who show allergic symptoms, such as itching and swelling, after drinking milk. There are two common types of medical conditions that underlie this complaint, namely lactose intolerance and sensitivity to cow's milk.
Maybe not many people know that there are two genetically different types of milk-producing cows, namely A1 and A2 cows. The main proteins in cow's milk are casein and whey. The genetic variation of A1 and A2 refers to a specific type of casein protein known as beta casein.
Both milk from A1 and A2 cows contain beta casein. However, if milk from cow A1 contains beta casein A1 and beta casein A2, milk from cow A2 only contains beta casein A2. Milk containing A1 protein is known to have a higher potential to cause digestive problems. In other words, it is sensitive to milk that many people experience is sensitive to A1 protein.
Differences in Lactose Intolerance and Sensitivity to Protein A1
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose which is a type of sugar in milk. This is caused by the lack or even the absence of the enzyme lactase to digest lactose in the small intestine. Normally, lactase converts lactose to glucose and galactose which the intestinal lining absorbs into the bloodstream. However, lactase deficiency causes lactose to accumulate in the intestine, causing digestive disorders.
In the large intestine, lactose will interact with bacteria, so people with lactose intolerance will experience flatulence or continuous bowel movements after consuming cow's milk. However, many people with low lactase levels can digest milk without problems. Lactose intolerance is not life threatening, but can make the stomach feel uncomfortable.
If the lactose intolerance that causes digestive disorders is sugar in milk, then in cases sensitive to protein A1, the cause is protein beta casein A1. Beta casein A1 is more difficult to digest in the intestine, so it can cause digestive disorders. When the body digests A1 protein, beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) is formed. This compound causes discomfort and health problems after consuming milk from cows A1. This substance is not formed when the body digest milk from protein A2.
How to Recognize Lactose Intolerance and Sensitivity to Protein A1
Symptoms of lactose intolerance and sensitivity to protein A1 usually appear about 30 minutes after consuming food or drinks that contain lactose. Symptoms that generally appear include:
- Nausea, usually accompanied by vomiting.
- Stomach cramps.
- Bloated.
- Remove the wind or farts continuously.
- Diarrhea.
Both lactose intolerance and sensitivity to protein A1 are a fairly common condition in children and can be experienced by all ages. In infants and children, symptoms may only appear for days or weeks after drinking milk. Compared with children who are given formula milk, children who are breastfed have a lower risk of experiencing this.
Solution for Lactose Intolerance and Sensitivity to Protein A1
Based on the latest research, beta casein in milk from A1 cows has been shown to trigger intestinal inflammation and worsen digestive disorders, especially in patients with lactose intolerance. Digestive disorders include flatulence, abdominal pain, as well as changes in the level of stool density and frequency of bowel movements.
In contrast to milk from A1 cows, cow's milk with A2 protein is considered safer for people who are sensitive to milk. But is that right? In fact, a study showed that consumption of milk containing A2 protein in patients with lactose intolerance, did make their stomachs more comfortable.
Digestive problems due to impaired lactose absorption arising from drinking cow's milk, can be reduced after consuming milk from A2 cows. Drinking cow's milk A2 is also known to not worsen the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
After understanding the difference between lactose intolerance and being sensitive to protein A1, you are expected to be able to distinguish the two by looking at the symptoms that emerge. Consult your doctor to get further tests, if you find the appearance of symptoms after drinking milk.
