NOW CLOSED Do you suspect you or your DC has a milk or dairy intolerance? Try a2 Milk for free - a new, entirely natural type of British cows' milk and give your feedback to win a £100 JL voucher

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

a2 Milk are looking for 50 MNers who feel they or their DC may have an issue with milk/dairy products to try out their new natural milk and give their feedback on MN. Below is some info from a2 Milk on what makes it different:

"While most cows' milk contains both A1 and A2 proteins, all natural a2 Milk comes from specially selected cows that produce milk containing only the A2 protein. A1 product digests differently to A2 protein and has been linked with a range of symptoms associated with digestive function. Those of us who experience some form of digestive discomfort from the consumption of milk (bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and/or constipation) may well react to this A1 protein rather than the lactose or other milk protein as it is often assumed. Hence a2 Milk is the natural answer to a question of A1 Milk protein intolerance. a2 Milk has proved very popular in Australia where thousands of milk consumers have made the switch and seen an improvement as a result."

This product test isn't for everyone though - we're looking for a very specific group of MNers. To take part you/your DC must:

~ Have had some kind of issue, or suspected issue to do with milk or dairy products in the past year, but...
~ NOT have been diagnosed as lactose intolerant by a healthcare professional (GP, Dietitian, Nutritionist)
~ NOT have been diagnosed as milk allergic by a healthcare professional (GP, Dietitian, Nutritionist)
~ Be able to get to one of the stores listed here to collect your bottles of a2 Milk

If you're at all concerned about whether or not you should take part in this product test, then please consult a healthcare professional before signing up. Just to be really clear, if you or your DC has a confirmed, medically diagnosed milk allergy or lactose intolerance, please do not apply.

If you're interested in taking part, please click here to sign up. Please make sure you answer all the questions in the sign up survey so we know whether or not you're eligible to take part.

Everyone who is selected to take part will be sent vouchers to purchase 2 litre bottles of a2 Milk worth £1.99. You will then be asked to give your feedback on a thread on MN. Please note your comments may be used by a2 in future marketing campaigns.

Thanks
MNHQ

[casabevron]

Or

What Lougle said

[colditz]

Done. If this works, ds1 won't have to have soya milk any more.

[HoopDePoop]

Marking place, finding the product a bit dubious tbh.

[eragon]

This milk is pointless, and isnt something i would ever recommend trying.

of course if you have no problems AT ALL with consuming milk, feel free to drink it, just the same as normal milk.

for many who have a significant intolerent response to milk, are not able to enjoy milk from any other udder.

For those with mild intolerence, goat has been used by some to be more digestable. mainly because of a slight difference in lactose formatian.

For those with ibs , the same applies as normal milk intol, so depends on severity.

btw milk from a cow that is raw, is still going to cause the same problem normal milk, and organic come to that...

of course, for the IgE milk allergic, well just dont go near milk in ANY form.

of course have heard reports that camel milk is good for ezcema, but sneaking up on a camel at woburn isnt my idea of fun.

I agree that this isnt something mumsnet should have as a product placement on site or as a trial.

[Josaphina]

To me this sounds good! It's clear who it is NOT for (lactose intolerance or those with milk allergy) and clear who it could be for-people like me who often feel abit bloated after cereal and milky coffee/hot choc and my son who is often constipated. Will defo try it out for my family.

[trixymalixy]

So it's for the lifestyle or "islington intolerants". Disappointing.

[seeker]

So excited to see 'islington intolerance" used! I think I invented
the expression. Prepared to be proved wrong but I do hope I did!

[Declutterbug]

Oh whatever next. It is so disappointing to see this thread here.

If someone has something that can help intolerance then it should be put through a rigorous clinical trial to demonstrate it, not a MN 'product test'.

This is clearly designed to generte 'data' that can then be used in marketing to help part worried people from their cash .

If people suspect a problem with a child take them to a doctor and ask for a referral for proper testing. Do not experiment with them on the basis of a MN thread coming from a company with a product to sell!

An all new low.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Lougle s link in full...

The A2 milk case: a critical review.
Truswell AS.
Source
Human Nutrition Unit, University of Sydney, Australia. [email protected]
Abstract
This review outlines a hypothesis that A1 one of the common variants of beta-casein, a major protein in cows milk could facilitate the immunological processes that lead to type I diabetes (DM-I). It was subsequently suggested that A1 beta-casein may also be a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), based on between-country correlations of CHD mortality with estimated national consumption of A1 beta-casein in a selected number of developed countries. A company, A2 Corporation was set up in New Zealand in the late 1990s to test cows and market milk in several countries with only the A2 variant of beta-casein, which appeared not to have the disadvantages of A1 beta-casein. The second part of this review is a critique of the A1/A2 hypothesis. For both DM-I and CHD, the between-country correlation method is shown to be unreliable and negated by recalculation with more countries and by prospective studies in individuals. The animal experiments with diabetes-prone rodents that supported the hypothesis about diabetes were not confirmed by larger, better standardised multicentre experiments. The single animal experiment supporting an A1 beta-casein and CHD link was small, short, in an unsuitable animal model and had other design weaknesses. The A1/A2 milk hypothesis was ingenious. If the scientific evidence had worked out it would have required huge adjustments in the world's dairy industries. This review concludes, however, that there is no convincing or even probable evidence that the A1 beta-casein of cow milk has any adverse effect in humans. This review has been independent of examination of evidence related to A1 and A2 milk by the Australian and New Zealand food standard and food safety authorities, which have not published the evidence they have examined and the analysis of it. They stated in 2003 that no relationship has been established between A1 or A2 milk and diabetes, CHD or other diseases.

[Iggly]

Both of mine have dairy intolerances although ds is outgrowing his at age 3. Dd is only 10 months so not prepared to give it to her but would give to DS (pure cows milk gives him loose poos). I also feel sick and get an upset tummy after cows milk.

[KatieBMumsnet]

Thanks for all your comments so far.

We are closing this thread now, as we already have enough volunteers for the product test.

We - and a2Milk - will make sure that all volunteers for the test are carefully briefed about the conditions for taking part - and that it's made clear that anyone with any suspicions of milk allergy/intolerance should seek medical advice in the first instance and definitely before taking part in the product test.

We're really grateful for the feedback you've given us about product tests of this sort. It's definitely food for thought - and something for us to bear in mind when we plan future product tests.

[Lougle]

"We are closing this thread now, as we already have enough volunteers for the product test. "

Katie, can I just express how very disappointed I am that MNHQ has put their financial concerns above their integrity on this occasion? I'm sorry to call it so harshly, but it can't be seen any other way.

I for one, would have been much more impressed to see you say ""We are closing this thread now, as we are suspending the product test until A2 can show that there is any probable truth to their claims."

I guess MN is more commercial than even us cynics realised

[greenbananas]

Lougle, I agree, but maybe there was a contract that MN couldn't get out of once the thread had been started.

"We're really grateful for the feedback you've given us about product tests of this sort. It's definitely food for thought - and something for us to bear in mind when we plan future product tests..."

This gives me hope

[HelenMumsnet]

@greenbananas

Lougle, I agree, but maybe there was a contract that MN couldn't get out of once the thread had been started.

"We're really grateful for the feedback you've given us about product tests of this sort. It's definitely food for thought - and something for us to bear in mind when we plan future product tests..."

This gives me hope

Thank you, greenbananas. That's appreciated.

[DavanB]

Hello, I work at the Anaphylaxis Campaign. We have been alerted to this thread by one of our members - we strongly advise parents talk to their clinician before venturing on using any product which make such claims. We have consulted a medical expert from our Clinical and Scientific panel who said ?Eliminating one protein from milk will not protect the majority of cow milk allergic subjects who react to several different proteins. This true of virtually all allergies whether foods or inhalants.? Please refer to our website for more information on severe allergy and anaphylaxis - www.anaphylaxis.org.uk.

[HelenMumsnet]

@DavanB

Hello, I work at the Anaphylaxis Campaign. We have been alerted to this thread by one of our members - we strongly advise parents talk to their clinician before venturing on using any product which make such claims. We have consulted a medical expert from our Clinical and Scientific panel who said ?Eliminating one protein from milk will not protect the majority of cow milk allergic subjects who react to several different proteins. This true of virtually all allergies whether foods or inhalants.? Please refer to our website for more information on severe allergy and anaphylaxis - www.anaphylaxis.org.uk.

Thanks DavanB. We'd second that. As we've already said, TheOtherHelenMumsnet did take pains to say in her opening post that people should consult a healthcare professional before signing up to this product test.

We're sorry if we didn't make that as clear as it could have been.

[IvanaNap]

Just to say we got our milk vouchers this week.
six weeks since this thread started...


Checked local supermarkets but they don't stock so will have to hunt around.

[NiniLegsInTheAir]

Got my vouchers this week too. It's stocked at our local Tescos so will be picking up some to try tomorrow

[NiniLegsInTheAir]

Well, tried to get some from our local Tescos this morning but it isn't stocked there (despite the website saying it would be). So now on the hunt, will try the nearest morrisons.

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

Is there a feedback thread yet? :)

[poopoopoo]

I was also looking for the feedback thread, I have used the vouchers (thank you) to purchase 2 x 2 Litre bottles of A2 milk from Budgens. I could only get semi-skimmed in this size. No taste difference from usual semi-skimmed milk.

I found this information interesting: www.livestrong.com/article/440795-digestive-enzymes-milk-protein-intolerance/
Also this info:milkgenomics.org/newsletter/proteases-vs.-antiproteases-the-battle-over-milk-digestion

Particularly the last paragraph of this page about enzymatic pre-digestion in formula milk is interesting and slightly related to this topic.
It makes you wonder if the what benefits you could be missing out from when not consuming the A1 protein? Does the manufacturer have this information? The health benefits of standard milk should also be considered. I do think there could be individuals who could benefit but they would need testing to actually prove it! However I see nothing wrong with providing a product, if people feel better when drinking it, then great. Also I wondered if people who have an intolerance to A1 were to take enzymes as supplements could they improve their digestion symptoms??
Anyway we will continue to try the milk and feedback when sent a thread.......

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

Feedback thread :)