What Makes Goat Milk Work Against Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, is a skin condition that makes the skin dry, cracked and itchy. This form of eczema is very common and usually seen among children. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that tends to flare periodically.

Atopic eczema can affect any part of the body which includes the hand, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inside the bend of the elbows and knees. For infants, eczema can be found on the face and scalp. These areas may have small dry patches or be inflamed with small raised bumps.

Atopic eczema can cause severe complications such as asthma, hay fever, neurodermatitis, skin infections, irritant hand dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and sleep problems.

Atopic dermatitis is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the skin’s ability to retain moisture and give protection from bacteria, irritants and allergens. Food allergies can also trigger this skin condition. Several foods that can cause food allergies include peanuts, wheat and lactose.

Some people contract atopic dermatitis from the consumption of cow’s milk. Patients develop this skin condition after a transition from breastfeeding to cow’s milk. Diet modification is usually suggested by a doctor as the child does not have specific identifiable eczema triggers. Goat milk is the best choice to substitute cow’s milk.

How Does Goat Milk Help?

One factor that may contribute to the allergenicity difference between cow’s milk and goat milk is the different profile of caseins. Caseins are the main protein group that is present in all dairy, giving milk its signature white color. Both cow milk and goat milk contain the 4 main casein classes (α_S1-CN, α_s2-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN). However, goat milk has a lower amount of α_S1-CN.

Various studies have reported that goat milk with a lower αS1-CN level has reduced allergenic effects. In one study using sera from children allergic to cow milk, researchers conducted an in vitro and skin prick testing to compare the reactivity with milk from goats with varying αS1-CN genotypes. The result showed that children have a lesser reaction to low α_S1-CN goat milk.

Goat milk also helps with atopic dermatitis as it is more digestible and less immunogenic than cow milk. Goat milk contains smaller protein molecules that produce small, soft and loose curd in the digestive system. Thus, making it easier and faster to be digested.

Goat milk protein is associated with stool characteristics that resemble those of infants fed with breast milk. A smaller, softer and looser curd, coupled with faster protein digestion, may limit irritation to the digestive mucosa and systemic inflammatory symptoms such as atopic dermatitis, that may be associated with intestinal hyperpermeability.

Aurora Health Goat Milk Powder

Aurora Health Goat Milk Powder is an excellent choice for a nutritious diet for your whole family, including those with atopic dermatitis. It is especially good for those who have a sensitive stomach, poor digestion, malnutrition or gastric ulcers. High in calcium and protein, as well as being a source of medium-chain fatty acids that helps with inflammation in the body. Our goat milk is enriched with vitamin C and the full spectrum of vitamin E including α, β, γ, δ-tocotrienol and α-tocopherol. Additionally, this combination of vitamin C and E creates a synergistic effect that boosts the antioxidant properties four times higher.

References:

1. Ballabio, C., Chessa, S., Rignanese, D., Gigliotti, C., Pagnacco, G., Terracciano, L., … & Caroli, A. M. (2011). Goat milk allergenicity as a function of αS1-casein genetic polymorphism. Journal of dairy science, 94(2), 998-1004.
2. Harden, C. J., & Hepburn, N. J. (2011). The benefits of consuming goat’s milk. Centre for Food Innovation, Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, South Yorkshire, England, 14.