Casein Peptides

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Interactions
• Dosing

Casein is the main protein in milk. It is the ingredient in milk that solidifies when milk curdles. When people drink milk, digestive juices break down the casein into protein pieces called casein peptides. Casein peptides can also be made in the laboratory and marketed as dietary supplements.

Casein peptides are used for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety, fatigue, epilepsy, intestinal disorders, cancer prevention, and stress reduction.

How does it work?

Some casein peptides are thought to cause blood vessels to enlarge in diameter and therefore lower blood pressure.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• High blood pressure. Early research suggests that a specific casein peptide, C12 peptide, does not significantly reduce blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Anxiety.
• Fatigue.
• Epilepsy.
• Intestinal disorders.
• Cancer prevention.
• Reducing stress.
• Other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Casein peptides are normally consumed in the diet from milk products. But there isn't enough information to know if casein peptides in dietary supplements are safe.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Milk allergy: People with milk allergy are allergic to the proteins contained in milk. They may also be allergic to fragments of milk proteins, such as casein peptides. If you have a milk allergy, it's best to avoid taking casein peptides.

Surgery: Casein peptides might affect blood pressure. There is some concern that casein peptides might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop taking casein peptides at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Some casein peptides might decrease blood pressure. Taking casein peptides along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

The appropriate dose of casein peptides depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for casein peptides. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.