A2 milk for autism
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A1 beta casein free milk (a2 Milk™) for autism & attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
IRAS ID
188954
Contact name
John Lodge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 5 days
Research summary
Previous preliminary research studies have suggested that a diet without milk and dairy products might be useful for some people on the autism spectrum in reducing certain types of behaviours or other symptoms that can affect quality of life. Aggravation of some of the symptoms of autism has been suggested to be linked to some of the constituents of milk, in particular a natural breakdown product of the milk protein called beta-casomorphin 1-7 (BC 1-7) found in the majority of dairy products.
A dairy-free diet (casein-free diet) can however be a difficult diet to follow and may increase the risk that certain nutrients are missing from the diet.
Some people believe that different types of milk from different breeds of cattle (cows) might not carry the same biological effects for some on the autism spectrum. Milk typically found in the supermarkets naturally contains BC1-7 as a function of the type of cows producing the milk and the protein it contains (A1 variant of the beta casein protein).
We are aiming to test whether a particular type of milk (A1 beta casein free milk also called a2 Milk™) might be able to replace a casein-free diet for children on the autism spectrum also presenting with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) type symptoms. We will be looking at the potential effects of A1 beta casein free milk on behavioural aspects of autism and ADHD. The source of A1 beta casein free milk will be commercially available a2 Milk™ branded milk that is directly comparable to regular supermarket bought milk with the exception of the beta casein component and is already available to buy.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0197
Date of REC Opinion
17 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion