Immune Power

• The “Boomer” generation is most likely to have missed the benefits now attributed to breast feeding which may account for the high incidence of digestive problems, overweight, and immune suppressed disease in this sector of the population.
• Colostrum boosts the immune system, healing the whole body.
• A decade of research has shown that the immune and growth factors in bovine colostrum are virtually identical to those found in human colostrum, in higher concentrations.

During the post-WWII years child-rearing experts told parents that bottle-feeding was not only more healthy for the baby, it also gave the child a head start on its journey towards independence. Any woman brave enough to admit she was even considering breastfeeding was thought to be old-fashioned. Worse yet, breast feeding became such a cultural taboo that mothers and their babies were banished to restrooms at feeding time. Almost a generation passed before scientific research began to reverse America’s love affair with baby formula. Today, it is common knowledge that besides being the perfect infant formula, mother’s milk provides the building blocks needed to develop the newborn’s immune system. Subsequent research has shown that the benefits of mother’s milk continue through childhood and may last into adulthood. For instance, breast-fed babies have been found to experience fewer digestive problems, are less likely to be overweight, generally have fewer allergies, get sick less often, and some studies have demonstrated higher IQ scores.

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 antiinflammatory 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.

Suggested use: For best results, chew 2-3 tablets twice a day – before breakfast and in the late afternoon or before retiring. Follow with 8 ounces of water.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

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