ROLE OF MILK IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT A1 protein free milk may provide enhanced outcomes
With
Dr Emma Beckett,
Food & Nutrition Scientist, FOODiQ Global
Professor Stephen Robinson, Psychology Research
Researcher and corresponding author &
semi-retired neuroscientist, RMIT University
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH JOURNAL SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne and Newcastle, NSW | September 2025
New research emphasises the role of cows’ milk, particularly A1 protein free milk, in enhancing cognitive function and quality of life for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A multi-centre, double-blinded, randomised controlled clinical study published in *The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging* evaluated 88 milk-tolerant Chinese adults aged 65-75 over three months. Participants consumed either ordinary skim milk or A1 protein free skim milk, leading to improvements in various cognitive assessments.
Both types of milk showed significant enhancements in cognitive performance across multiple tests, including the Subtle Cognitive Impairment Test (SCIT), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Audio Verbal Learning Test (AVLT).
While both groups reported improvements in quality of life, the A1 protein free group noted greater gains, including a 23% increase in overall quality of life scores and a 43% improvement in memory ability. Despite challenges with vitamin D levels among participants, the study highlights the importance of milk choice in promoting cognitive health, especially for the aging population, where approximately 20% of those over 65 may experience MCI.
Researcher and corresponding author of the clinical study, Professor Stephen Robinson spoke to Australian Health Journal about the findings and the need for further research to confirm these benefits across diverse populations.
Dr Emma Beckett, food and nutrition scientist at FOODiQ, says A1PF milk, as part of a balanced diet, can play a valuable role in improving the nutrition of older adults.
“This is an exciting study because it shows that a small dietary change, adding A1PF milk, may be effective for those experiencing cognitive changes. As Australia’s population continues to age, A1PF milk may offer an accessible way to support overall health and wellbeing, particularly in adults living with MCI,” said Dr Beckett.
Source: Adapted from a2 Milk Australia media release and published study
-
Report gives insights to clinical trial activity in Australia
Established in 2024, Bellberry is a Adelaide-based national, not-for-profit organisation that provides streamlined scientific and ethical reviews of human research. It is the 2025 winner of the Championing Health Award in the Telstra Best of Business Awards.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Bellberry Limited CEO, Kylie Sproston on the organisation and the findings in activity documented in the Clinical Trial Activity Report (CTAR) 2024.
-
Sovereign capability uplifted
Skilled labour, in particular skilled in the manufacture of MTP products, namely competency in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), was identified as one of the key priorities, according to Jarrod Belcher, Director of the REDI Program at MTPConnect. Through a competitive process, MTPConnect selected additional industry training providers to deliver new programs addressing key skills gaps in the sector workforce.
Launched in September 2022, one of these programs is GMP Uplift developed by the Centre for Biopharmaceutical Excellence (CBE). CBE bring experience across large and small Biologics, Pharmaceuticals and Regenerative Medicine companies, both in consulting and GMP related enterprise training. CBE staff also have extensive experience in GMP operations, compliance, auditing and QMS design, a wide industry network for guest lecturers and readily available case studies.
-
25 years of non-indexation of nuclear medicine impeding access & affordability
The President of the Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists (AANMS), Associate Professor Sze Ting Lee spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
Usual levels of nuclear medicine services in Australia each year
Current levels of nuclear medicine services in Australia
How changing demographics in people moving to regional areas has impacted access to nuclear medicine services
The nuclear medicine workforce including trainees
The key recommendations from the pre-budget submissionIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
