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Colostrum
The foundation for the benefits of breast milk is
colostrum, a non-milk substance secreted by the mammary glands of all female
mammals during the last months of pregnancy. The secretion increases
dramatically just prior to birth and ceases within 48 to 72 hours after the
birth of the offspring. During gestation, the mother’s immune system
protects the developing fetus from infection, bacteria, or viruses. The
dependence is total. If the fetus had its own immune system, the mother’s
immune system would recognize the antibodies as foreign and attack the fetus.
Colostrum is Nature’s answer to activating the newborn’s own immune
system.
Fatted colostrum contains high concentrations of immune and
growth factors. To date an amazing 37 different immune factors which boost the
immune system and fight off disease have been identified. In newborns, the
growth factors stimulate cell division and muscle and bone growth. In adults,
the growth factors promote rapid cellular repair, slow the aging process, and
build muscle mass. Of the 37 immune factors found in colostrum, five antibodies
also known as immunoglobulins – proteins that do not dissolve in water
– Lactoferrin, Polyproline-Rich Peptide, Leukocytes, and Cytokines, play
such important roles that they are worth noting:
- IgG is the most abundant immunoglobulin found in the
blood and lymph systems making up 80-85 percent of the antibody serum. IgG
helps eliminate toxins by enhancing phagocytosis – the engulfing and
destruction of foreign matter by white blood cells (phagocytes).
- IgA makes up 15 percent of antibody serum. One type of
IgA is found in tears and on mucosal membranes where it acts as one of the
immune system’s frontline defenders.
- IgM is especially effective against bacteria although it
also strengthens phagocytosis.
- IgD is only present in minute amounts, but it is the
factor which spurs B-cells to create an effective antibody to destroy foreign
matter.
- IgE which makes up .002 percent of the immunoglobulins in
the body, is the immune system’s anti-allergy and antiviral agent.
- Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that is the
“good guy–bad guy” of the immune system. It enables the body to
utilize the iron it receives and it shuts off the iron supply to bacteria and
viruses making it impossible for them to reproduce. Lactoferrin also contains
antibodies and an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Polyproline-Rich Peptide regulates the thymus gland which
controls the production and release of the three types of T-cells.
- Leukocytes are white blood cells which fight off
infection and remove toxins left by invading substances. Leukocytes can also
stimulate the production of interferon which interfere with viral
reproduction.
- Cytokines regulate both the force and the duration of an
immune response. They influence T-cell production, lymph activity and
immunoglobulin production. One cytokine, interlukin-10, reduces inflammation
caused by arthritis, injury or infection.
Bovine colostrum is “non-species specific” meaning
that all mammals can benefit from the immune and growth factors in this natural
food which work both independently and synergistically, to boost the
body’s immune, healing, and growth responses. An additional benefit of
bovine colostrum is it contains a trypsin inhibitor and a protease inhibitor
which prevent digestive enzymes and acids from breaking down the active
proteins. These inhibitors allow the immune and growth factors to remain active
until they reach the intestinal tract where they are most effective. Bovine
colostrum may actually do more for humans than human colostrum, mainly because
of its rich concentration of immune factors. One study found that bovine
colostrum contains 86 percent IgG (the most important immunoglobulin in the
body), while human colostrum only contains two percent.
The quality of
supplemental colostrum is determined by when the colostrum is collected and how
it is processed. The highest grade colostrum is collected within the first six
hours after birth. Colostrum taken later contains enough lactose to cause a
reaction in a lactose intolerant person so it must be neutralized by adding
lactase. Most available colostrum supplements are defatted, a process which
removes approximately 95 percent of the growth factors, all of the insulin
factors, a few of the immune factors, and all of the good cholesterol.
Immune Power is collected within six hours of birth – after the
calf has had its fill – from Grade A cattle. In a USDA inspected plant,
the colostrum is filtered, homogenized (to evenly distribute the fat), and then
spray-dried. The powder is micronized and cold-pressed into tablets to ensure
that the immune and growth factors remain active.
Colostrum is a
healing supplement and some people may experience nausea, vomiting, headaches
or muscle aches during the first week as the body dumps toxins. Some people,
especially those with chronic illness, may want to start gradually. The goal is
to work up to 4-6 tablets (1800-2700 mg) per day, depending on your size.
Taking colostrum on an empty stomach twice a day will give you the best
results. Chew the tablets thoroughly, then drink 8-ounces of water. The water
will help get the colostrum down to your digestive tract where the factors can
be absorbed into the blood stream. About 30 percent of people will have to take
their second dose in the afternoon because besides healing the body, colostrum
also increases energy and brain function. |
