Devil in the Milk by Keith Woodford

Written by Thomas Cowan, MD

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Devil in the Milk by Keith Woodford

Written by Thomas Cowan, MD Keith Woodford November 2 2009 Chelsea Green Publishing, 2009

Devil in milk for virtually my entire Politics career. I have thought about the medicinal aspects of cowsthe Milk Illness, Health, and themedical of A1 and A2 Keith Woodford As one four-year-old child pointed out to me many years ago, Mommy, I know why he always Get Started Chelsea Green Publishing, 2009 talks about milk, his name is Cow-an. So, I guess this milk obsession is no surprise. Take a Tour I have thought about the medicinal aspects of cows milk for virtually

The obsession started in earnest four-year-old child pointed out ago when I years ago, Mommy, I know why he alw about twenty-five years to me many read the book The Milk of Find a Local Chapter Human Kindness Is Not Pasteurized by maverick physician WilliamisCampbell Douglass, MD. Renew Membership Cow-an. So, I guess this milk obsession no surprise. This was one of the most influential books I have ever read. I became convinced that a large part Order Materials The obsession of the Gift of Membership disease in this country is related to thestarted in earnest about twenty-five years ago when I read the book way we handle, or rather mishandle, milk and milk Not Pasteurized by maverick physician William Campbell Douglass, MD. This was on products. Raw and cultured dairy products from healthy grass-fed cows are one of the healthiest Donate have ever read. I became convinced that a large part of the disease in this country foods people have ever eaten; in fact, they are the very foundation ofRaw and cultured dairy products from he western civilization. On the rather mishandle, milk and milk products. other hand, pasteurized, and particularly foods people have ever eaten; in fact, they are the disease than of we Social Media healthiest low-fat, milk products have caused more very foundation perhaps any other substance people are generallyand particularly low-fat, milk products reinforced whendisease hand, pasteurized, in contact with. This view was have caused more Butter Buddies I met and joined up with Sally Fallon generally in contact with. This view of the Weston A. met and joine people are and learned the principles was reinforced when I Price Foundation. End of story, I assumed;principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation. End of story, I assumed; but I cou the but I could stop thinking about milk.

Over Over the years, however, every once thea while Sally would sayin a while Youwould say to me, You know, in years, however, every once to me, Sally know, we have the had also heard this comment from assorted bio-dynamic farmers but didnt really k Campaigns wrong cows here. I had also heard this comment from assorted bio-dynamic farmers but didnt this was a medical issue I should be tackling. All along, though, I felt that somethin really Real Milk to make of it or whether this was a medical issue I should be tackling. All along, know what unmistakably true that many of my patients, in spite of eating only the proper dair though, I felt that something was seemed not right. It remained unmistakably true that many myself couldn not quite to tolerate milk. Truth be told, for most of my adult life I of my Soy Alert! patients, in spite of eating only the proper dairybit sick and congested. Somehow mystill seemed not to quite without feeling a products, still had illness and story with milk wasnt Farm-to-Consumer tolerate milk. Truth Fund Legal Defense be told, for most of my adult life I myself couldnt drink any kind of raw milk Along came the GAPS (Gut and without feeling a bit sick and congested. Somehow my story Psychology Syndrome) diet, finished. with milk wasnt quite and my discovery of th

recovered when they eliminated and my discovery of the use of their Along came the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet,milk (but not other dairy products) fromlow diet Login if you are a dose naltrexone, both of which Istimulated endogenousprevious writings, but the relevance here is have described in (ones own) endorphin production. previous user who that many patientsdonate, would like to only improved and a further nudge in the direction of this topic showed notabout a month ago. I Then, recovered when they eliminated milk (but up other dairy order, or renew products) from their diets and foreword to a book called Devil in the Milk, written by agribusiness professor and far took a medication that stimulated endogenous (ones own) Woodford. In this book Dr. Woodford lays out the theory that there is a devil in som endorphin production.

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of which I have described in previous writings, but the relevance here is that many

something we need to come to grips with. Here is a brief synopsis of the main thes

Then, a further nudge in the direction of this topic showed up about a month ago. I was asked to Milk consists of three parts: 1) butterfat, 2) whey and 3) milk solids. For this story consider writing the foreword to a book called Devil in the Milk, written by agribusiness

consider writing the foreword to a book called Devil in the Milk, written by agribusiness milk solids part, as the fat and whey dont have this devil. The milk solids part is c professor and farm-management proteins, along with lactose and otherthis bookisDr. Woodford of theout we consultant Keith Woodford. In sugars. It the protein part lays solids the theory that there is a devil in some is called casein, of which theresomething we need tobut the one casei of our milk, and this is are many different types, come to proteins grips with. Here is a brief synopsis of the main thesis of his book. predominant protein called beta-casein.

All proteins are long and of amino acids that have many branches only Milk consists of three parts: 1) butterfat, 2) wheychains3) milk solids. For this story we are coming off d Beta-casein is a chain whey dont have this devil. The milk solids concerned about the milk solids part, as the fat andof 229 amino acids with proline at postion 67at least the p cows. These cows with proline at number 67 are called A2 cows, and are the part is composed of many different proteins, along with lactose and other sugars. It is the protein older b Asian and African cows). Some five thousand years ago, a mutation occurred in thi part of the solids were interested in. One of these proteins is called casein, of which there are to histidine. Cows that have this mutated beta-casein are called A1 cows, which inc many different types, but the one casein we are interested in is the predominant protein called Holsteins. beta-casein.

The side chain that comes off amino acid 67 is called BCM 7. BCM 7 is a small prote

All proteins are long chains of amino acids that have manysome undesirable effectsoff different parts powerful opiate and which has branches coming on animals and humans. W of the main chain. Beta-casein is that proline has a strong bond to BCM 7proline at postion 67at least the m a chain of 229 amino acids with which helps keep it from getting into found cows. These cows with proline at number 67 are the proline is there in old-fashioned in the urine, blood or GI tract of old-fashioned A2 cows. called A2 cows, and are the older breeds On the other hand, histidine, theAsian and African cows). holds on five 7, of cows (such as Jerseys, mutated protein, only weakly Some to BCM thousand years ago, a mutation occurred in this proline amino acid, converting itinto histidine. animals and humans who drink A1 cow milk, and it is found significant quantity Cows that have this mutated beta-casein are called A1 cows, which include more modern breeds animals. like Holsteins.

Woodford describes research showing that the opiate BCM 7 can cause neurological

exposed to it, The side chain that comes off amino acid 67 especially autistic and schizophrenicsmall protein (called a with t is called BCM 7. BCM 7 is a changes. BCM 7 interferes BCM 7 into animal models has been shown to provoke Type 1 diabetes. Dr. Woodfo peptide) that is a very powerful opiate and which has some undesirable effects on animals and direct correlation between a populations exposure to A1 cows milk and the inciden humans. Whats important here is the fact that proline has a strong bondthe blood vessels), type-1 diabete to BCM 7 which helps disease (BCM 7 has a pro-inflammatory effect on keep it from getting into the milk, so that essentially the finding 7 is found selectively bindsblood or GI cel really caught my eye is no BCM that BCM 7 in the urine, to the epithelial tract of old-fashioned A2 cows. as in the nose) and stimulates mucus secretion.

For reasons that are unclear historically, holds on to BCM 7, so it is On the other hand, histidine, the mutated protein, only weakly once this mutation occurred many thousa casein gene spread rapidly in many A1 cow the western world. Some in liberated in the GI tract of animals and humans who drink countries inmilk, and it is found have spe wide spread of A1 cows is that significant quantity in the blood and urine of these animals.the calves drinking A1 milk and exposed to the opiat

traditional brethren (in effect, they were stoned). This theory is only speculation, o

basically all the opiate BCM have cause neurological and are predominan Woodford describes research showing thatAmerican dairy cows 7 canthis mutated betacaseinimpairment in animals and people exposed Consider French cheesemostly and to culinary snobbery, the French never accept to it, especially autistic due schizophrenic changes. BCM 7 interferes with the immune response, and injecting BCM 7 into animal models has been shown to claiming they have lousy milk. Voil, the French enjoy superlative milk and cheese. provoke Type 1 diabetes. Dr. Woodford presents researchyou take A1acow milkcorrelation between aown en have the wrong cows. When showing direct away, and stimulate our the toxic opiate BCM 7, some of auto-immune disease, populations exposure to A1 cows milk and the incidence amazing health benefits ensue.heart disease (BCM 7 has a pro-inflammatory effectare wethetoblood vessels), type-1 diabetes, autism,should drink on all do with this knowledge? Does this mean no one and So what schizophrenia. What really caught mygrace, as expressed in Devil in the Milk, is that the absorption of BCM 7 is m saving eye is the finding that BCM 7 selectively binds to the epithelial cells in the mucous membranes (such as in thethe ideas of the GAPS theory whichsecretion. GI tract. This also parallels nose) and stimulates mucus expounds upon this

For reasons that are unclear historically, once this mutation occurred many thousands of years A final point: in many countries thing western world. Some list. ago, the A1 beta-casein gene spread rapidly we now have one morein theto put on our activism to-dohaveDr. Wo straightforward to switch a herd speculated that the reason for this wide spread of A1 cows isto become calves drinking genetic engineering i that the an all A2 herd. No A1 milk and simple test of the beta-casein and it can be done via breeding with A2 sires and sele exposed to the opiate BCM 7 are more docile than their traditional brethren (in effect, they were stoned). This theory is only speculation, of course. But what is true is that basically all American

goats or sheeps milk, so these types of milk might be better tolerated by those wit

stoned). This theory is only speculation, of course. practice becomes widespread basically all American safe a Hopefully, when this But what is true is that we will end up with a truly dairy cows have this mutated betacasein should just change my name. cows. maybe I and are predominantly A1 Consider French cheesemostly (This review was first published at www.foufoldhealing.com) due to culinary snobbery, the French never accepted these A1 breeds of cow, claiming they have lousy milk. Voil, the French enjoy superlative milk and cheese. Our issue in America is that we have the wrong cows. When you take A1 cow milk away, This article appeared in Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts and stimulate our own endorphin production instead of via the toxic opiate BCM 7, some amazing A. Price Foundation, Fall 2009. health benefits ensue.
About the Reviewer

So what are we all to do with this knowledge? Does this mean no one should drink raw cows milk in the U.S.? One saving grace, as expressed Thomas Cowan, MD, discovered the work of the twoof wh in Devil in the Milk, is that the absorption men BCM 7 is much lower in people with a healthy GI tract. career also parallelsgardening as ofPeaceGAPS volunt on his This while teaching the ideas a the Corps read Nutrition and goats Degeneration by Weston Price theory which expounds upon this topic. BCM 7 is also not found in Physicalor sheeps milk, so these and arcane principles of Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic agriculture. Th types of milk might be better tolerated by those with a compromised digestive system.

medical degree. Cowan graduated from Michigan State Univers

1984. After his residency in Family Practice Woodford A final point: we now have one more thing to put on our activism to-do list. Dr. at Johnson City Ho he herd to become an all A2 herd. No genetic explains that it is fairly straightforward to switch a set up an anthroposophical medical practice in Peterborough served as vice president of the Physicians be done for engineering is needed, no fancy tests, just one simple test of the beta-casein and it canAssociationvia Anthr founding board breeding with A2 sires and selective cullingmember of the Weston A. Price Foundation. this practice of A1 individuals. Hopefully, when becomes widespread we will end up withisa truly safe The Fourfold Path to Healing (New Trends Publishing), a Dr. Cowan the author of and healthy milk supply. Then maybe I should just change my name. Traditions by Sally Fallon. He a board member of the Weston A. Price Foundation, a

Doctor" column and the Foundation's quarterly journal, and has lectured throughou

(This review was first published at www.foufoldhealing.com) practices medicine in San Francisco where three grown children and currently
Cowan. His book The Fourfold Path to Healing is now available from NewTrends Publishing,

http://www.newtrendspublishing.com/. Visit Dr. Cowan's website at http://www.fo This article appeared in Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts, the quarterly magazine of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Fall 2009.

About the Reviewer

Comments (2)

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Thomas Cowan, MD, discovered the work of the two men who would have the Subscribe to this comment's feed most influence on his career while teaching gardening as a Peace Corps ... volunteer in Swaziland,Will Quesnel,Africa.2010 read Nutrition and Physical South Feb 20 He written by Wow! This article is and a fellow volunteer explained the arcane Degeneration by Weston Price illuminating... principles of Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic agriculture.elimination of milk but not other dairy It describes the use of naltrexone and that These events inspired him process of fermentation alters either from Michigan or creates some sort to pursue a medical degree. Cowan graduated the levels of BCM 7 State University of pr less absorbable when in our intestines? College of Human Medicine in 1984. After his residency in Family Practice at am going to buy this set as an anthroposophical Johnson City Hospital in JohnsonICity, New York, hebook up soon as I have the funds!medical practice in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Dr. Cowan has served as vice president of the Physicians Association for AnthroposophicalLet's say, "Yay!" for goats' milk! board member of the Weston A. Medicine and is a founding written by SB, Jan 20 2010 Price Foundation.
I liked the review, thank you.

Dr. Cowan is the author of The Fourfold Path to Healing (New Trends Publishing), a companion

Past experience tells me that I have difficulty of the Weston A. I have book to Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. He a board member digesting dairy products.Price East speaking, do not digest dairy as well as my European chums. However, I do like co Foundation, a regular contributortime, and put up with the ensuing sniffles. and the Foundation's to to our "Ask the Doctor" column quarterly journal, and has lectured throughout the US and Canada. He has three grown children Recent experiments with raw milk from Holstein cows (A1 type milk) and Guernse and currently practices medicine to realize Francisco where hecows' milk with his wife Lyndaraw & A2. in San that I am intolerant to resides of any kind, even if it is Smith Cowan.

His book The Fourfold Path to Healing is now available from NewTrends Publishing, Raw goats' has http://www.newtrendspublishing.com/. milkVisitproved the easiest of all for me to digest. In fact, it seems to b Dr. Cowan's website at pasteurised cows' milk brought on in the first place! http://www.fourfoldhealing.com.

Raw water buffalo milk proves more digestible for me, perhaps due to it being an A homogenization within the milk than cows' milk.

I have read that donkeys' and camels' milk are well tolerated by those unsuited to than goats' milk. Apparently goats' and camels' milk do not coagulate well when h producing a much thinner yogurt than cows' milk. Perhaps this 'thinness' in the m quite easily digested. Nourishing Traditions first brought me to consider adding raw milk to my diet. goats' milk gains greater recognition as being more easily digested than raw cows' port of call for those with dairy intolerance.

www.westonaprice.org

http://www.westonaprice.org/thumbs-up-reviews/dev il-in-the-milk Could it be possible the French, in their natural, intuitive wisdom, knew that A1 m http://goo.gl/O5A7G

By the way, you wrote, "Consider French cheese mostly due to culinary snobbe these A1 breeds of cow, claiming they have lousy milk."

their indigenous A2 milk, simply by taste alone? Or perhaps they found the milk of ne sais quoi" compared to the rich, creamy, yellow milk that say, Normandy breed

Either way, it seems a bit harsh to say the French exhibited "culinary snobbery"! good taste? It would appear that keeping true to their native nutrition & native wi

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