Milk lacking beta-casein A1

Abstract

A milk which is free of β-casein A 1 protein in the prevention or treatment of coronary heart disease is disclosed. In addition, a process for the testing of DNA from cells obtained from lactating bovines for the presence of DNA encoding certain β-casein proteins, selecting the bovines on the basis of the testing, and then milking those bovines to produce milk free of β-casein A 1 for use in the prevention or treatment of coronary heart disease is disclosed.

1 . A method of preventing or treating coronary heart disease in a human which includes the step of at least reducing the intake in that human of β-casein A 1 .  
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the reduction is effected by the human ingesting milk obtained from one or more lactating bovines, or a product processed from that milk, where the milk or product ingested is substantially free of β-casein A l .  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the milk is substantially free of β-casein A 1  but contains any one or more of β-caseins A 2 , A 3 , B, C, D and E.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the milk is substantially free of β-caseins A 1 , B and C but contains any one or more of β-caseins A 2 , A 3 , D and E.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the one or more lactating bovines are or include  Bos taurus  bovines.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the milk produced is substantially free of β-casein A 1  and the β-casein contained in the milk comprises greater than 95% by weight β-casein A 2 .  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the milk produced is substantially free of β-casein A 1  and the β-casein contained in the milk comprises approximately 100% by weight β-casein A 2 .