Media release for immediate use
Shifting from A1 to A2 milk - Infant formula a priority - let's get on with it says Woodford
NZFSA is claiming that Professor Keith Woodford presents no strong evidence in his book "Devil in the Milk" linking
illness to A1 beta-casein. NZFSA says both milks are equally safe. The Authority remains in denial. Woodford's evidence
is drawn from more than 100 scientific papers. It includes the following:
NZ scientists have found that countries with high A1 beta-casein intake are the same countries with high Type 1diabetes
(the early onset form). The relationships are so strong that the possibility of getting them by chance is less than one
in a thousand.
Japanese and German scientists have independently shown that beta-casomorphin7, which Woodford call's the 'milk devil',
is only released from A1 beta casein and not A2. This milk devil is undeniably a strong narcotic. American scientists
have shown when it is injected into rats it causes bizarre behaviour.
NZ scientists have shown that almost 50% of mice fed A1 beta-casein get diabetes whereas there is close to zero
incidence amongst those fed A2. The only counter evidence is a trial where the industry researchers who supplied the
diets never confessed publicly to major diet contamination. (The 'milk devil' protein fragment was accidentally added to
the A2 diet. The documentation is in Woodford's book.)
Canadian scientists have shown that rats fed A1 beta casein have much higher diabetes than those fed A2.
Finnish scientists found that genetically susceptible children were five time more likely to get diabetes on a high milk
diet (and hence high A1 beta-casein) than those on a lower milk diet.
Italian scientists found that diabetics have much higher antibodies to beta casein than non diabetics. German scientists
have shown that in diabetics the high antibodies are specifically to A1 beta casein.
Two groups of NZ scientists have shown that deaths from heart disease are much higher in countries where there is high
intake of A1 beta-casein. There is less than a one in one thousand probability of getting these results by chance. Also,
the Masai people of Kenya have a huge intake of milk but no heart disease (or Type 1 diabetes) But then their milk is
A2. Similarly for the Tibetan Highlanders. And on the Island of Guernsey, where the milk is A2, both diseases are very
rare.
Australian scientists found that rabbits fed A1 beta-casein develop arterial plaque in a period of weeks whereas those
fed A2 do not.
French scientists found that the milk devil oxidizes LDL (an early indicator of heart risk). And Czech Republic
scientists have shown that infants fed formula milk have up to 10 times the antibodies to oxidised LDL compared to those
who are breastfed.
American, British and Norwegian scientists have all shown that autistic children typically (but not always) excrete this
milk devil in their urine. This means it is getting through from the intestines to the blood. Most normal people seem to
excrete it out the backend. But American scientists have shown that once in the blood it passes easily into the brain.
There are several trials in America, and Norway showing how autistic children have reduced autistic symptoms if access
to beta-casein is removed. Given that it is an opiate, the children often go through withdrawal symptoms.
There is lots more evidence in Woodford's book
In NZ we already have about 900,000 pure A2 cows - perhaps even more. We can breed the rest of the herd across to A2.
The existing A2 cows are more than enough to supply all milk products for NZ and Australia. But of course Australia also
has its A2 cows - probably about half a million.
A1 beta casein is mainly a problem of the developed world. Indigenous Asian and African cows are A2. The A2 version of
the gene also predominates in southern Europe. Goats, camels, yaks, and almost all sheep are A2. Human milk is of the A2
type.
A2 is an opportunity which the industry has turned into a threat by pretending there is no issue.
There are solutions. As well as breeding out the gene we can use the A1 milk for particular products such as butter (no
risk) whey powders (no risk), and cheese (probably low risk).
Infant formula is the most urgent priority to shift to A2.
"Let's get on and do it!" says Woodford
ENDS