Colostrum is breast milk produced by humans, cattle, and other mammals before breast milk is extracted. It is very nutritious and contains high levels of antibodies, which are proteins that fight disease and bacteria. Colostrum improves growth and health in babies and newborn animals, but research shows that taking booster supplements can boost the immune system, help fight infections, and improve intestinal health for life.
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is a milk-secreted fluid that is secreted by newborn mammals before breast milk begins. It is an important source of nutrients that promotes growth and fights diseases in children, but can also be eaten at other stages of life – usually in supplement form.
Although all mammals produce colostrum, supplements are usually made from cow’s colostrum. This supplement is known as bovine colostrum.
Beef colostrum is similar to human colostrum – rich in vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, anti-inflammatory proteins, growth hormones, and digestive enzymes.
Bovine colostrum skin ingredients have become very popular in recent years, as they can boost the immune system, fight infections, and improve intestinal health.
These colostrum supplements derived from cows are ground and dried into powders or powders that can be mixed with liquid. Cow’s colostrum is usually light yellow with a subtle taste and aroma similar to buttermilk.
Colostrum Benefits
May You Provide Health Benefits
Studies show that a cow’s colostrum can strengthen your immune system, fight diarrhea, and promote intestinal health.
May Increase Immune System
Caterpillar colostrum can strengthen your immune system and help your body fight off pathogens.
The effects of increasing colostrum antibodies are mainly due to the high concentration of the antibodies IgA and IgG. Antibodies are proteins that fight viruses and bacteria.
Studies show that colostrum supplements can be very effective in boosting the immune system in elite athletes.
One 12-week study of 35 adult athletes found that taking a daily supplement of beef cattle increased the total amount of IgA antibodies by 79%, compared to baseline levels.
Researchers have suggested that higher levels of saliva in IgA can strengthen the immune system and improve the body’s ability to fight off respiratory infections.
Another study of 29 male cyclists found that taking 10 grams of cow colostrum a day for 5 weeks prevented a decrease in post-exercise exercise in the body and reduced the risk of high respiratory infection symptoms compared to placebo.
Other studies have similarly linked supplements to cows with improved immune responses, but more in-depth research is needed.
May It Prevent the Treatment of Diarrhea
Cows in cattle – especially antibodies and the protein lactoferrin – can help prevent diarrhea associated with bacterial and viral infections.
A study of 87 adults with HIV-related diarrhea found that taking 100 grams of cow’s milk daily and traditional anti-diarrheal drugs significantly reduced the frequency of sewage by 21% more than traditional medicine alone.
In addition, cattle can be given vaccines to fight certain types of bacteria to produce high colostrum in antibodies that can fight certain diseases.
These types of bovine colostrum are considered hyperimmune and can be an effective treatment for certain diseases in humans, such as those caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Shigella dysenteriae bacteria.
For example, studies show that hyperimmune colostrum can prevent a type of diarrhea known as migraine diarrhea, which is usually caused by E. coli.
One study in 30 healthy adults found that those taking a daily dose of 1,200 mg of hyperimmune bovine colostrum containing antibodies against E.coli bacteria were 90% less likely to have diarrhea in travelers than those taking placebo.
May You Benefit From Physical Health
Uterine colostrum can strengthen your intestines and fight infections in the digestive tract.
Both animal and human studies show that cow’s colostrum can promote intestinal cell growth, strengthen the stomach wall, and prevent intestinal invasion, a condition that causes particles from your gut to leak throughout your body.
These beneficial effects may be due to the lactoferrin and the growth factors it contains. One study of 12 athletes who may have suffered from constipation due to strenuous exercise found that taking 20 grams of beef a day prevented 80% of the increase in bowel movements experienced by those taking placebo.
Some studies suggest that colostrum enemas may be helpful in treating colitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon.
A study of 14 adults with colitis who were taking traditional medicine found that taking colostrum enemas over normal medications reduced symptoms more than just medication.
The ability of bovine colostrum to reduce the symptoms of colitis is supported by animal studies. However, more research is needed on people.
Nutritious
The cervical colostrum is extremely nutritious and contains more nutrients than normal milk.
In particular, it is higher in protein, fat, carbs, magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamins A, C, and E than cow’s milk.
While colostrum is rich in macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, its desired health benefits are closely linked to certain protein compounds, including:
Lactoferrin: Lactoferrin is a protein that is involved in your body’s response to infections, including those caused by bacteria and viruses.
Growth factors: Growth factors are growth hormones. Bovine colostrum is very high in two protein-derived hormones, growth factors such as insulin 1 and 2, or IGF-1 and IGF-2.
Immune system: Antibody proteins, also known as immunoglobulins, are used by your immune system to fight germs and viruses. Caterpillar colostrum is rich in antibodies IgA, IgG, and IgM.
As cow’s colostrum is loaded with antibodies and promotes growth, it can boost the immune system, treat disease, and provide the most human-related benefits throughout life.
Colostrum Side Effects
Although there are no guidelines as to the proper use of bovine colostrum, it is generally considered safe for use with no known drug interactions. Side effects are uncommon, although research among people with HIV has described rare reports of nausea, vomiting, anemia, and abnormal liver function.
FAQ
What is colostrum and its benefits?
Colostrum, a nutrient-rich fluid produced by female mammals immediately after giving birth, is loaded with immune, growth, and tissue repair factors. It is a complex biological fluid, which helps in the development of immunity in the newborn.
How long should you take colostrum?
Colostrum (also known as “first milk”) is a special type of milk mother mammals produce for their newborn just before giving birth. Mothers feed this milk to the newborn immediately following birth, and it is only available for a limited amount of time (typically around 3-4 days).
Is colostrum good for skin?
Colostrum also contains oligosaccharides, a natural healing sugar and one of the most powerful anti-aging compounds on the planet. Our founder and formulator Denie Hiestand, has developed a natural anti-aging skincare range that uses only bovine colostrum from pasture-raised New Zealand cattle.
Does colostrum really work?
Research shows that colostrum supplements may be particularly effective in boosting immunity in elite athletes. One 12-week study in 35 adult distance runners found that taking a daily bovine colostrum supplement increased the amount of saliva IgA antibodies by 79%, compared to baseline levels.