Colostrum

Colostrum is a safe, natural, whole food that supports the immune system and helps protect us from illness, infection and disease.

What Is It?

Colostrum is the nutrient-rich, pre-milk fluid produced by female mammals prior to and just after giving birth. It provides vital immune and growth factors that ensure the health of the newborn. Since collecting human colostrum is unrealistic, the next best source is bovine (cow) colostrum. Research has shown that the most important immune and growth factors in cows are virtually identical to humans and can be transferable from one species to another.

Historically, bovine colostrum has played a significant role in natural healing. In India, ayurvedic physicians have prescribed it for thousands of years. In western medicine, bovine colostrum was used extensively for immune purposes prior to the invention of sulphur drugs and conventional
antibiotics.

How Does it Work?

The two main groups of components responsible for the beneficial effects of colostrum are immune factors and growth factors. The immune factors in colostrum include antibodies that provide passive immunity from micro-organisms. Other immune factors work together to kill bacteria and viruses, regulate the thymus gland, control inflammation, protect against allergic reactions, and balance and nourish the immune system.

The growth factors in colostrum are responsible for building and repairing cellular tissue. They also help build lean muscle, increase fat metabolism, improve nutrient uptake, improve memory and mood, increase skin elasticity, balance blood sugar levels and increase energy and vitality.

What Evidence Supports its Use?

There are literally thousands of published clinical and scientific research studies proving its health-benefiting properties. Here are some of the documented benefits:

• boosts natural resistance to illness and disease, reduces severity of symptoms and reduces recovery time
• modulates autoimmune conditions including allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease
• provides antiviral and antibacterial protection, creating unfavourable conditions for growth of numerous harmful micro-organisms
• improves state of chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, colitis, irritable bowel, leaky gut syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and HIV
• builds lean muscle mass and burns body fat
• increases energy and vitality
• speeds healing of wounds and injuries
• increases energy and vitality

How Should I Take It?

The greatest benefits in scientific studies have been achieved using "first milk" colostrum, which means it's from one milking, collected within six hours after birth. (After this time, quality declines rapidly.) Oral delivery, such as sublingually (liquid or powder taken under the tongue) or slowly dissolving a lozenge in the mouth, is most efficient. The longer the colostrum resides in your mouth, the more effective the absorption and the better the results. As little as 125 milligrams of high quality, first-milking colostrum delivered orally is sufficient to trigger an immune response.

Colostrum products are available in a number of forms including capsules, powders, tablets, lozenges, liquids and creams. For general immune system enhancement and cellular growth and repair, lozenges are convenient and effective. If you suffer from poor digestion or dislike taking pills, then liquid is ideal. If you are trying to build lean muscle mass, increase physical performance and burn fat, try taking larger dosages in powder form. Colostrum creams can be applied topically for healing and anti-aging benefits.

Caveats

Bovine colostrum is safe for people of all ages with no adverse side-effects at any dosage level.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are battling a serious illness or just want to enhance your immune system function and naturally boost growth factor levels, colostrum can help you achieve your wellness goals.