Colostrum is the first milk produced by the Cow after the delivery of Calf. It contains a high level of antibodies to fight from infections. Antibodies level in cow colostrum is 100 times higher than the levels in regular cow milk. It is rich in immunoglobulins, growth factors, cytokines and confer immune protection. It has been used as a dietary supplement to treat diarrhea, infections, colitis etc.
Health Benefits of Colostrum
The Benefits of colostrum are based on the cellular responses in your body originating from the immune system.
Colostrum is an important nutrient source for the growth and development of infants. Feeding formulas without the colostrum is believed to increase the risk of Type 1 diabetes, childhood cancer, colitis, and allergic infections.
The bioactive molecules in colostrum modulate an infant’s immune system and avoid overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms. In adults colostrum has following effects:
1. Colostrum- an immune booster: Lactoferrin present in colostrum works to boost immune balancing T-cells and increase natural WBC which help to regulate your body’s defense against Pathogens. To find the lactoferrin’s effect on the immune system, researchers gave oral lactoferrin to mice with suppressed immune systems due to chemotherapy and autoimmune conditions and found their immune system was strengthened as well as symptoms and overall state of autoimmune condition.
Because of Lactoferrins’s natural antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral abilities, it is able to inhibit pathogen growth and prevent their entry into the body’s cell.
2. Support a Healthy Gut: An important role of colostrum’s growth factor is the healing and healing of gastrointestinal lining. It reduces the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome. The antibodies and lactoferrin maintain a healthy microbiome which takes care of overall health and wellness. Lactoferrin act as a prebiotic and stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
3. May prevent and treat Diarrhea: Taking colostrum may prevent and treat diarrhea in adults as well as children with a history of infectious diarrhea. But it doesn’t speed up the recovery in children who are also taking antibiotics.
4. Inflammation — Colostrum is rich in PRPs. It has an immune-regulatory
properties, appearing to restore balance and cellular functions. PRP regulates the activity in cytokine induction and inhibits the overproduction of reactive 02 and NO.
PRPs also helps in relieving swelling by offsetting an overactive immune response and halting responses in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. It can also decrease the severity of an inflammatory disease by altering genetic expression.
Experiment on Rat, Human and Chicken has shown that PRPs can improve cognition and behavior. Lactoferrin in colostrum inhibits the autoimmune responses that trigger inflammation. It also helps in detoxification and decrease the toxic load on the lymphatic system.
5. Promotes ligaments and muscle healing: High amount of antioxidants and growth factors and insulins like IGF-I promote muscle growth. Studies show that Colostrum supplementation can reduce oxidative stress and damage to the muscles after exercise. Making it a perfect supplement for athletes.
Other Names of Cow Colostrum
Bovine Colostrum, Bovine Immunoglobulin, Bovine Lacteal Compounds, Calostro, Colostrum Bovin, Colostrum Bovin Hyperimmune, Colostrum de Chèvre, Colostrum de Lait de Vache, Cow Milk Colostrum, Goat Colostrum, Hyperimmune Bovine Colostrum, Immunoglobulin Bovine, Lait Colostral, Protogala.