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Casein peptides

Casein(casein peptides) is the primary protein in milk. It is the ingredient in milk that becomes solid when milk coagulates. When humans drink milk, digestive enzymes break down the casein into small protein pieces called casein peptides. Casein peptides can also be produced in the laboratory and are marketed as nutritional supplements. Casein peptides are used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, anxiety disorders, fatigue, epilepsy and digestive tract disorders, as well as to prevent cancer and reduce stress.

How do casein peptides work?

Some casein peptides are believed to stimulate blood vessels to increase in diameter, thereby lowering blood pressure.

How effective are casein peptides?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of casein peptides in lowering high blood pressure. New research suggests that a specific casein peptide called the C12 peptide does not significantly lower blood pressure. There is also insufficient scientific data on the effectiveness of casein peptides for high cholesterol levels, anxiety disorders, fatigue, epilepsy and digestive tract disorders, as well as for cancer prevention and stress reduction. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of casein peptides in all these applications.

Safety and side effects

Casein peptides are consumed as part of the normal diet in the form of dairy products. However, there is not enough scientific information to determine whether casein pe ptides in dietary supplements are safe and harmless.

Precautions and warnings:

Pregnancy and lactation: not enough is known about the use of casein pe ptides during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid casein peptides.

Milk allergy: People who suffer from a milk allergy are allergic to the proteins contained in milk. These people may also be allergic to fragments of milk protein such as casein peptides. For this reason, it is best to avoid casein peptides if you suffer from a milk allergy.

Surgeries: Casein pe ptides could affect blood pressure. There are concerns that casein peptides may affect blood pressure control during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking casein pe ptides at least 2 weeks before upcoming operations.

Interactions:

Care should be taken when taking casein peptides in combination with the following medications:

Medications for high blood pressure

Casein pe ptides could lower blood pressure. Taking casein peptides in combination with medication for high blood pressure could result in an excessive drop in blood pressure.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage for casein peptides depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for casein peptides. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Claustre J, Toumi F, Trompette A, et al. Effects of peptides derived from dietary proteins on mucus secretion in rat jejunum. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2002;283:G521-8.
  2. Gill HS, Doull F, Rutherfurd KJ, Cross ML. Immunoregulatory peptides in bovine milk. Br J Nutr 2000;84:S111-7.
  3. Nishi T, Hara H, Hira T, Tomita F. Dietary protein peptic hydrosylates stimulate cholecystokinin release via direct sensing by rat intestinal mucosal cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2001;226:1031-6.
  4. Park O, Swaisgood HE, Allen JC. Calcium binding of phosphopeptides derived from hydrolysis of alpha s-casein or beta-casein using immobilized trypsin. J Dairy Sci 1998;81:2850-7.
  5. Tauzin J, Miclo L, Gaillard JL. Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from tryptic hydrolysate of bovine alphaS2-casein. FEBS Lett 2002;531:369-74.
  6. Townsend RR, McFadden CB, Ford V, Cadee JA. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of casein protein hydrolysate (C12 peptide) in human essential hypertension. Am J Hypertens 2004;17(11 Pt 1):1056-8.
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