Canada 
Alberta 
British Columbia 
Manitoba
New Brunswick 
Newfoundland Labrador 
Nova Scotia 
Ontario 
Prince Edward Island 
Quebec 
Saskatchewan 
United States 
Belgium
France 
Italy 
Switzerland
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
×
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
Is A2 Milk Better Than Regular Milk?
Intolerance to lactose or beta-casein A1?
Most people who have digestive symptoms when they consume dairy are lactose intolerant, so opting for lactose-free dairy products often fixes the problem. However, some people may not tolerate lactose-free milk either. In general, lactose intolerance usually causes diarrhea rather than constipation. In addition, symptoms usually occur at least 15 minutes after consuming dairy, once the lactose has reached the intestines. However, some people report having severe abdominal cramps immediately following milk consumption or report having constipation rather than diarrhea. In these cases, it may be worthwhile to test A2 milk to see if it causes less symptoms than regular milk.
Is A2 milk better for your health?
Compared to conventional milk, A2 milk has the same taste and nutritional value in terms of calories and nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, calcium, lactose, etc.). The cows that produce it are not healthier, they just have a different genetic makeup. Thus, there does not seem to be any additional benefits in consuming this type of milk for people who tolerate conventional milk or lactose-free milk.
Where can you find A2 milk?
A New Zealand company (The a2 Milk Company) has marketed their milk in several countries, including in the United States. In the United States, it is sold in most grocery stores. In Canada, a farmer in British Columbia has recently launched his A2 milk marketed as D Dutchmen Dairy. In Quebec, the Missiska farm in Montérégie is the first to put on the market A2 milk (called Jersey milk) and its by-products (yogurt and cheese). These are sold directly from the farm as well as in several commercial outlets in the Montreal and Quebec City areas.
Author
Kathryn holds a Bachelor Degree in Nutrition as well as a Bachelor and a Master Degree in Kinesiology, all from Laval University. She is a Registered Dietitian and active member of the Ordre professionnel des Diététistes Nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ) and of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She holds the Monash University's certification for the FODMAP diet and IBS, and has considerable clinical experience in that area. She is also an accomplished athlete, having ran track and cross-country at a national level. Kathryn specializes in sports nutrition, weight loss, diabetes, as well as heart and gastrointestinal health.
Leave a Reply