Colostrum

Natalie Savona © Natural Lifestyle Magazine, January 2006

It's no secret that the best food for newborns is their mother's milk, but scientists are now finding that its nutrients could go a lot further. During the first couple of days after giving birth, all mammals produce colostrum, a nutrient-packed substance which has a long history of therapeutic use, especially in the ancient Indian tradition of Ayurvedic medicine. It was even used in the US as an early antibiotic until the discovery of penicillin. For a few decades now, scientists have been studying colostrum's remarkable qualities and range of health-boosting components. They have found that Bovine colostrum contains immune and growth factors which are very similar to those in human colostrum.

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What is in Colostrum?

Colostrum contains over 90 known components. The main ones are immune factors and growth factors but it also contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids (protein building blocks). It is probably the synergy of all these factors that gives colostrum its benefits.

Immunoglobulins are a natural part of our body's defences against viral, bacterial and fungal infections as well as allergies.

Antibodies to at least fifteen diseases have been found in colostrum. Antibodies are specific substances which help the body fight off particular illnesses. Some found in colostrum are antibodies to salmonella, candida, streptococcus and E.coli.

PRP (Proline-Rich Rolypeptide)

PRP has been shown to help regulate the body's key immune gland, the thymus. In what may seem like a contradictory situation, PRP can boost a weakened immune system, and help calm or balance an overactive immune system in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Lactoferrin is a protein with antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties that binds to the mineral iron. It helps combat harmful micro-organisms by depriving them of iron and actually destroys bacteria's membranes.

Lactoperoxidase is another mechanism by which the body can fight viruses and other micro-organisms.

Lactalbumins are proteins which may protect against viruses. Scientists have found that they can help increase the activity of the 'good mood' hormone, serotonin, in the brain and to lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Cytokins are chemicals involved in cell-to-cell communication, antiviral and anti-tumour activity and the regulation of our immune response. They can stimulate or stop the growth and activity of various immune cells. A cytokine called interleukin-10 has a powerful anti-inflammatory affect that can help relieve pain.

Lysozymes (also found in human tears) help protect the body from bacterial infections.

Growth Factors not only stimulate normal growth, but also are essential for the repair of aged or injured muscle, skin collagen, bone, cartilage and nerve tissues. Growth factors also stimulate the body to burn fat for fuel instead of the body's own muscle tissue and build lean muscle. Growth factors have also been used externally to promote healing after burns and injuries. Insulin-like growth factors, IGF I and II are the most abundant growth factors in colostrum.

Epithelial Growth Factor is needed for normal skin regeneration, not just on the surface of our bodies but also in the lining of the digestive tract.

Transforming Growth Factors A & B stimulate the multiplication of cells in connective tissue, bone and cartilage. For this reason, they are useful in helping bones and wounds to heal. They also stimulate the production of various immunoglobulins.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor is one of the many proteins that regulate cell growth and division.

Why Take Colostrum?

The natural balance of growth factors and immune support in colostrum can boost the body's defences, helping to keep colds at bay as well as relieving allergies and auto-immune diseases. They can even protect the digestive system which is constantly processing 'external substances' in the form of food and other chemicals that we ingest.

Colostrum has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which could help relieve the many conditions that are linked to inflammation - asthma, eczema, arthritis and certain gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, colitis and Crohn's. In fact, some gastroenterologists have been prescribing colostrum to their patients with considerable success in getting rid of infections, healing the gut and stopping diarrhoea.

The growth factors in colostrum help build and repair bone, muscle, connective tissue, skin and cartilage. This is particularly important after an injury or surgery but also in the natural course of aging.