- Colostrum is a milky fluid that comes from the breasts of humans, cows, and other mammals the first few days after giving birth, before true milk appears. It contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and proteins (antibodies) that fight disease-causing agents such as bacteria and viruses. Antibody levels in colostrums can be 100 times higher than levels in regular cow’s milk.
- People originally got interested in bovine colostrum because of the high antibody levels. They thought that the antibodies might prevent intestinal infections in people, but they seem to be wrong.
Uses
- Bovine colostrum has been used to treat diarrhea, to improve gastrointestinal health, to boost the immune system. Colostrum contains immune factors, immunoglobulins, antibodies, proline-rich polypeptides (PRP), lactoferrin, glycoproteins, lactalbumins, cytokines (eg, interleukin, and interferon), growth factors, vitamins, and minerals. There also is a constituent isolated from bovine colostrums that is responsible for uterine and intestinal contraction, and lowering of blood pressure.
- Immunostimulant: The immune-boosting properties of bovine colostrum have been promoted as performance enhancers and anti-aging/healing supplements. Certain Web pages, for instance, promote significant fitness gains for athletes, noting bovine colostrum’s “anabolic effects” and claiming it can “promote muscle growth.” One clinical trial finds bovine colostrum supplement to increase serum IGF-1 concentration in athletes. IGF-1 is a growth factor that speeds up protein synthesis and slows catabolism.Certain immune factors and antibodies also fight a variety of organisms, allergens, or toxins including pneumonia, candida, and flu. Constituent lactoferrin prevents pathogens from getting the iron they need to flourish. Lactalbumins and cytokines (interleukin and interferon) also are important as antivirals and anticancer agents.
- Gastrointestinal aid:Using a specialized colostrum preparation in animal studies, bovine colostrum has been shown to have a high capacity for neutralization of bacterial toxins and high effectiveness in treating severe diarrhea. Bovine colostrum supplementation, in another report, has been shown to prevent NSAID-induced gut injury in various laboratory and animal studies, suggesting its possible usefulness for certain ulcerative bowel conditions.
- Several studies show how bovine colostrum concentrates, including G immunoglobulin isolates, are highly successful alternative agents used to improve GI health and to treat diarrhea caused by a variety of pathogens. In AIDS patients, diarrhea and subsequent weight loss pose a problem. The severity of symptoms in some cases and sometimes unidentifiable pathogens unaffected by antibiotics welcome alternative therapy with bovine colostrum.
- Some athletes use bovine colostrum to burn fat, build lean muscle, increase stamina and vitality, and improve athletic performance. Bovine colostrum is not on the banned drug list of the International Olympic Committee.
- Bovine colostrum is also used for healing injuries, repairing nervous system damage, improving mood and sense of well being, slowing and reversing aging, and as an agent for killing bacteria and fungus.
- Bovine colostrum is used in the rectum to treat inflammation of the colon (colitis).
References
Source: web article, Bovine Colostrum. Review of Natural Products. 16 April, 2007.www.Drugs.com