key ingredient

APJ 44

In the past two years, healthcare practitioners have been hearing colostrum contains 86% of IgG, the most important of the a great deal about bovine colostrum, a relatively new food (IgG) found in the body. Bovine colostrum contains a blocking supplement intended to optimise the immune systems of both hormone to prevent the calf from becoming sensitised to its own healthy and chronically ill individuals. Much of the excitement mother’s immune factors. Studies indicate that all species, about colostrum has been generated by testimonials, anecdotal including man, benefit from the immune boosting properties of reports as well as the marketing efforts of several new bovine colostrum with no reports of allergic or anaphylactic supplement manufacturers and distributors. reactions to date.

The past 20 years has also witnessed the publication of over Colostrum for human consumption has a very limited supply 2000 research papers strongly supportive of both colostrum and because colostrum is only available for a day or two after its numerous components. The purpose of this paper is to calving. The needs of the newborn calf must be met first and provide a review of the scientific evidence for the clinical only high-uality colostrum is taken from cows that have been application of a promising immune system modulator. certified free of antibiotics, pesticides and synthetic hormones.

Colostrum must be processed at low temperatures so that the In Colostrum, Life's First Food (33), Dr. Daniel G. Clark’s basic immune and growth factors remain biologically viable.message, as printed on the back cover of his book, is that bovine colostrum rebuilds the immune system, destroys viruses, bacteria (17,18) and fungi, accelerates healing of all body The most important components of colostrum can basically be tissue, helps lose weight, burn fat, increase bone and lean broken down into two major categories: immune system factors muscle mass and slows down and even reverses ageing. and growth factors. Drug manufacturers have tried to copy According to Clark and the well-known naturopathic physician, (genetically engineer) and market several of the individual Dr. Bernard Jensen (34), colostrum has a therapeutic role to play components of colostrum, most notably interferon, gamma with AIDS, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, auto-immune globulin (7), growth hormone, IgF-1 and protease inhibitors. diseases, allergies, herpes (38), bacterial (15), viral and Biotechnology companies are currently selling IgF-1 for as parasitic (l) infections, gingivitis, colds, the flu and much more. much as $800 per 50 cc vial. Some of the following colostrum Colostrum has antioxidant properties, is anti-inflammatory and components may very well be next on the list of three major is a source of many vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino breakthroughs two by the pharmaceutical/nutraceutical acids. industry:

the most abundant of the immune factors found in colostrum; IgG neutralises

Colostrum is the first mammary secretion that a mammal toxins and microbes in the lymph and circulatory system; provides for its newborn for the first 24-48 hours. It contains IgM destroys bacteria, while IgE and IgD are highly antiviral numerous immune system and growth factors as well as (4,23,25).essential nutrients, trypsin and protease inhibitors that protect it an antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, from destruction in the GI tract. It is estimated that colostrum iron-binding protein with therapeutic effects in cancer, HIV, triggers at least 50 processes in the newborn. Bovine colostrum Cytomegalovirus, herpes (38), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is biologically transferable to all mammals, including man, and Candida albicans and other infections. Lactoferrin helps is much higher in immune factors than human mother’s deprive bacteria of the iron they require to reproduce and colostrum. Laboratory analyses of immune and growth factors releases iron into the red blood cells, enhancing oxygenation from bovine colostrum are identical to those found in human of tissues. Lactoferrin modulates cytokine release and its colostrum except for the fact that the levels of these factors are receptors have been found on most immune cells, including significantly higher in the bovine version. For example, human lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages and platelets.colostrum contains 2% of immunoglobulins (IgG), while cow

MAJOR COLOSTRUM COMPONENTS

Immunoglobulins (A, D, E, G and M) – WHAT IS COLOSTRUM?

Lactoferrin –

Needed for a Healthy, Vital LifeBovine Colostrum Emerges as Immunity Modulator - A Scientific ReportZoltan P. Rona, M.D., M.Sc.

APJ 45

Proline-Rich Polypeptide (PRP) –

Orotic Acid –

Other immune Factors –Growth Factors –

Vitamins –

Sulfur –

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

Leukocytes –

E n z y m e s –

Ly s o z y m e –

Cytokines –

Trypsin Inhibitors and Protease Inhibitors –

Lymphokines –

Oligo-Polysaccharides and Glycoconjugates –

a hormone that Cryptosporidia, Giardia, Entamoeba, Shigella, Clostridium regulates the thymus gland, stimulating an under-active Difficile Toxins A & B and Cholera) preventing them from immune system or down-regulating an overactive immune attaching or entering the mucous membranes.system as seen in auto-immune disease (MS, rheumatoid stops the formation of pyrimidine nucleotides arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and prevents haemolytic anaemia.allergies, etc.). some of the documented immune

Epithelial growth factor (EgF), Insulin- factors include secretory IgA, IgA Specific Helper, B like growth factor-I and II (IGF-1 and IGF-II), Fibroblast Lactoglobulin, Lactalbumin, Albumin, Prealbumin, Alpha growth factor (FgF), Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) 1-Antitripsin, Alpha 1-Fetoprotein, Alpha 2-macroglobulin, Transforming growth factors A & B (TgA and B) Growth Alpha 2-AP Glycoprotein, C3, C4 and Orosomucoids.hormone (GH). These all help stimulate cell and tissue Vitamins A, B12 and E are found in small growth by stimulating DNA formation (21). Genetically amounts while traces of all others are also present in engineered versions of IGF-1 and GH are now marketed as colostrum.anti-ageing and AIDS drugs. They are found naturally and in a mineral with multiple uses in metabolism and as high concentrations in colostrum. Several studies show that part of many structural body proteins.these growth factors are capable of increasing T-cell production, accelerate healing, balance blood glucose, reduce insulin need, increase muscle and bone growth and repair, while metabolising fat for fuel (10, 11, 21, 23, 33, 34).

For symptomatic adults, clinicians usually prescribe 1000 - A 1990 study (35) in the New England Journal of Medicine

2000 mgs twice daily of the dried, encapsulated form of concluded that GH treatment prevented some of the signs of

colostrum, best taken on an empty stomach with 8 - 12 ounces of ageing. In his study, Dr. Daniel Rudman treated 26 men

water. between the ages of 61-80 with GH. Patients experienced a decrease in overall body fat (of up to 14%), an increase in bone density and lean muscle mass. In addition, their skin was thicker and more elastic. Rudman said the changes were equivalent to those incurred over a 10-20 year period of ageing.

stimulate t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f interferon (16), which slows viral reproduction, and penetration of cell walls.

l a c t o p e r o x i d a s e -thiocyanate, peroxidase and xanthine oxidase oxidise bacteria through their ability to release hydrogen peroxide.

i s a hydrolysing agent and immune system booster capable of destroying bacteria and viruses on contact.

interleukins Preventive doses have not been established, but several authors that regulate the duration recommend continuous dosing at levels decided upon primarily and intensity of the immune response, are responsible for cell by the consumer/patient. For those who show no clinical to cell communication, boost T-cell activity and the response to colostrum, the dosage can safely be doubled or even production of immunoglobulins. Interleukin-10 is strongly tripled as needed until the desired results are obtained. Children anti-inflammatory, especially in arthritic joints.can also take colostrum, but require proportionately less. prevent the

destruction of immune and growth factors in colostrum from Herxheimer reactions (mainly flu-like symptoms) can occur in being broken down in the GI tract; they also prevent H. pylori up to 40% of the cases, but are usually mild and disappear with from attaching to the walls of the stomach and can have a continued supplementation at the same dosage level. Through beneficial role in the treatment of peptic ulcers.hundreds of years of use and over 1000 clinical studies, hormone-like peptides produced by colostrum has been demonstrated to be completely safe without activated lymphocytes, which mediate the immune drug interactions or side-effects at any level of ingestion. The response.following clinical conditions have been well documented to attract and respond favourably to colostrum supplementation:bind to pathogens (Strep., E. Coli (19), Salmonella,

APJ 46

Viral Illnesses –

Athletic Stress –

The Leaky Gut Syndrome –

Allergies and Auto-immune Diseases –

Heart Disease –

Wound Healing –

Cancer –

QUALITY CONTROL

Diabetes –

Weight Loss Programs –

About 75% of the antibodies in the body are nutritional intake and adequate exercise. Colostrum provides produced by the GI component of the immune system. The a good source of IgF-1 as a complementary therapy for ability of AIDS/HIV patients to fight infectious disease is successful weight loss (33).severely compromised, partially due to damage to the gut Exhaustive workouts and athletic from chronic inflammation and diarrhoea. Several recent competition can temporarily depress the immune system, studies (1,5,6,8,13,20,24,25,30) report on colostrum’s role decreasing the number of T-lymphocytes and NK cells. in the reversal of this chronic problem stemming from Athletes are therefore more prone to develop infections, opportunistic infections like Candida albicans, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Many of colostrum’s Cryptosporidia, rotavirus, herpes simplex, pathogenic immune factors can help significantly reduce the number and strains of E. Coli (19) and intestinal flu infections. All gut severity of infections caused by both physical and emotional pathogens are handled well by colostrum without side- stress (33).effects. Colostrum is composed of numerous factors with One of the major benefits of strong antiviral activity, especially the immunoglobulins, colostrum supplementation is enhanced gut efficiency due to lactoferrin and the cytokines (8,9,23,25,32). the many immune enhancers that control clinical and

PRP from subclinical GI infections. Colostral growth factors also play colostrum can work as a regulatory substance of the thymus a role by keeping the intestinal mucosa sealed and gland (14). It has been demonstrated to improve or eliminate impermeable to toxins. This is evidenced by colostrum’s symptomatology of both allergies and auto-immune diseases ability to control chronic diarrhoea caused by gut (MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and myasthenia gravis). inflammation related to dysbiosis. Healing leaky gut PRP inhibits the overproduction of lymphocytes and T-cells syndrome reduces toxic load and helps in the reversal of and reduces the major symptoms of allergies and auto- many allergic and auto-immune conditions. For the healthy immune disease: pain, swelling and inflammation. individual or athlete in training, colostrum supplementation

Altered immunity may be the hidden cause enhances the efficiency of amino acid and carbohydrate fuel of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. For example, uptake by the intestine. More nutrients are made available for a type of Chlamydia has been associated with arterial plaque muscle cells and other vital tissues and organs. One of the formation in over 79% of patients with heart disease. A reasons for the energy boost seen in most healthy individuals recent New England Journal of Medicine article (36) who use colostrum as a food supplement is this ability of concluded that heart disease is the result of immune colostrum to improve nutrient availability and the correction sensitisation to cardiac antigens. Immune system mediated of subclinical leaky gut syndrome (41).injury results in myocarditis with lymphocytes and Several colostrum components stimulate macrophages being the predominant infiltrating cells. wound-healing (40). Nucleotides, EgF, TgF and IgF-1 Colostrum PRP may have a role in reversing heart disease stimulate skin growth, cellular growth and repair by direct very much like it does with allergies and auto-immune action on DNA and RNA. These growth factors facilitate the diseases. Additionally, IgF-1 and GH in colostrum can lower healing of tissues damaged by ulcers, trauma, burns, surgery LDL-cholesterol while increasing HDL-cholesterol or inflammatory disease. The tissues affected beneficially concentrations. Colostrum growth factors promote the repair by colostrum wound-healing properties are skin, muscle, and regeneration of heart muscle and the regeneration of new cartilage, bone and nerve cells. Powdered colostrum can be blood vessels for collateral coronary circulation. applied topically to gingivitis, sensitive teeth, aphthous

The benefits of cytokines in the treatment of cancer ulcers, cuts, abrasions and burns after they have been cleaned was first popularised by the 1985 Steven Rosenberg Book, 3 and disinfected (33,34).Quiet Strides in the War on Cancer. Since that time, the same cytokines found in colostrum (Interleukins 1, 6, 10, Interferon G and Lymphokines) have been the single most The best quality colostrum is produced organically and is free of researched protocols in scientific research for the cure for pesticides, herbicides and anabolic hormones like steroids, cancer. Colostrum lactalbumin has been found to be able to antibiotics and other chemicals. Not all colostrum products on cause the selective death (apoptosis) of cancer cells, leaving the market are biologically active due to improper processing the surrounding non-cancerous tissues unaffected (37). through the use of high temperatures and pasteurisation or the Lactoferrin has similarly been reported to possess anti- formation of colostrum into tablets, a method that requires high cancer activity. The mix of immune and growth factors in pressure and generates heat, destroying biological activity.colostrum can inhibit the spread of cancer cells. If viruses are involved in either the initiation or the spread of cancer, Colostrum in liquid form is also less than ideal. It is not as colostrum could prove to be one of the best ways to prevent concentrated as the powdered versions of the product must be the disease in the first place. kept refrigerated due to its short shelf life and preservatives

Juvenile diabetes (Type I, insulin dependent) is must be added that further dilutes and destroys its biological thought to be brought about through an auto-immune capabilities. Low heat processing, the removal of fat, whey and mechanism, possibly initiated by an allergic reaction to the lactose as well as laboratory testing to insure biological protein GAD found in cow’s milk (2). Colostrum contains integrity and safety are the rigid standards which must be met by several factors which can offset this and other allergies. high-quality supplements. Colostrum IgF-1 can bind to both the insulin and IgF-1 receptors found on all cells. Human trials (39) in 1990 reported that IgF-1 stimulates glucose utilisation, effectively This scientific paper was printed courtesy of treating acute hyperglycaemia and lessening a Type II New Image Internationaldiabetic dependence on insulin.

IgF-1 is required by the body to As the list of references is extremely large for a full list metabolise fat for energy through the Krebs cycle. With please email the editor at info@kharis.com and request a ageing, less IgF-1 is produced in the body. Inadequate levels copy.are associated with an increased incidence of Type II diabetes and difficulty in losing weight despite a proper