Milk protein blamed for heart disease

9 April 2001



Milk protein blamed for heart disease

By FWi staff

THE high level of heart disease in the Western world is caused by a protein found in milk rather than fat, claims a New Zealand scientist.

Dr Corrie McLachlan expects that heart disease is more common among people in Jersey than Guernsey, where people drink different types of milk.

Guernsey cows produce healthier milk, but Jersey cows do not, he claims.

Dr McLachlan is chief executive of A2 Corporation, a company that plans to market what it claims is a healthier form of milk.

His theory, published in the journal Medical Hypotheses, has many doubters, according to a report in The Times.

But close links between deaths from heart disease in different countries and the protein balance in the milk they drink may be winning over detractors.

Four varieties of the protein casein account for 80% of the protein in milk.

Some forms of the protein, principally the A1 form, can contribute to heart problems if consumed in large enough amounts, claims Dr McLachlan.

Britain has high A1 consumption and a high death rate through heart disease.

But Finland has the highest consumption of A1 and the worlds highest rate of heart disease. Japan, which has almost no heart disease, has low A1 consumption.