FODMAPS, IBS and related topics
r/FODMAPS
TLDR
Beta-casomorphine-7 (BCM-7) is released in the gut during digestion of A1 casein, and has opioid activity in the gut with pharmacological effects
This opioid binding in the gut slows transit time, allowing for increased fermentation of FODMAPs, amplifying their negative effects
Since bacterial growth can be exponential, the effects of even moderately slowed transit time could be signifigant
Naloxone, an anti opioid has shown promise in treating IBS, lending evidence to the idea that transit time is a key driver of symptoms
I’ve seen a lot of posts with people confused about why lactose free dairy and low lactose cheeses still cause them digestive issues. In the case of lactose free dairy products, the remaining potential issues with dairy are fat and the proteins whey and casein. Issues digesting dairy fat and whey protein are not that common, so I’d like to focus on casein as the culprit of issues.
While outright casein allergy is a problem in some people, it doesn’t seem consistent with the type of GI symptoms people report with FODMAP intolerance. It seems that casein is possibly impacting digestion in such a way that the other foods in the diet cause more issues, and this seems to be supported by a study I just read. Digestion of A1 casein releases BCM-7, which has opioid effects in the gut which slow transit time and can also cause local inflammation. This slowed transit time and inflammation can result in excessive fermentation and symptoms like gas and bloating. The digestion of A2 casein is less problematic as it releases the weaker BCM-9, which only has 1/4 the activity.
Milk Intolerance, Beta-Casein and Lactose
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586534/
“In humans, digestion of bovine A1 beta-casein, but not the alternative A2 beta-casein, releases beta-casomorphin-7, which activates μ-opioid receptors expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and body.”
“μ-Opioid receptor agonists are known to delay gastrointestinal transit time in humans, in a naloxone-reversible manner.”
“Bovine BCM-7 has been identified in human jejunal contents following milk-protein feeding at levels consistent with pharmacological effects, with 4 mg BCM-7 released from 30 g of casein after 2 h of digestion, with further release thereafter”
About Community
Related Communities
513,281 members
197,771 members
130,900 members
47,840 members
3,643,667 members
218,850 members
41,211 members
3,263,100 members
286,917 members
19,166 members