Colostrum, often called “mothers’ milk,” is a thin white fluid produced from the mammary glands of the mother mammal during the 24-48 hours after birth for transferal to the newborn.  While a natural health substance, be aware colostrum is a dairy product containing lactose.

Transfer factors contained in colostrum are natural, microscopic molecules that reside in the bodies of all animals. Transfer factors are messengers, passing immunity information about the presence of an immune threat, whether external or internal, and how to properly respond, from immune cell to immune cell.

Transfer factors are thought to contain protein and RNA, but no DNA, while their minuscule size with a molecular weight of about 10,000 contributes to their being non-allergenic and enables transfer factors in colostrum to retain full potency when taken orally. The colostrum of all mammals is rich in transfer factors and critical for conferring passive immunity (initial immune defense) to newborns when ingested during breastfeeding or suckling.

Without colostrum, many newborn mammals would simply die due to lack of nutrients such as proteins, calcium, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, plus biologically-active molecules including transfer factors essential to the body’s immune and growth functions.

Extensive research now demonstrates bovine (cow) colostrum from safe sources is the only viable alternative for human consumption of colostrum with transfer factors. Not only are the immune and growth factors found in bovine colostrum virtually identical to those in human colostrum, the immune factors are reportedly four times richer. Moreover, bovine colostrum contains special glyco-proteins and protease inhibitors, which are found extremely effective in protecting colostrum’s active components from the destructive forces of the human body’s digestive system.

Colostrum – Immune Response Potentiation 

Colostrum has been shown in numerous clinical studies to have both probiotic or bacterial organisms having a beneficial effect on animal and human intestinal health and natural antibiotic effects. Colostrum has also been shown to help repair intestinal tissue, support immune function, while increasing both vitality and stamina. Colostrum is comprised of up to 250 components that affect over 50 processes in the body ranging from immunity to regeneration and growth. The primary components, divided into two classes, are immune transfer factors and growth factors. Colostrum also contains a precise balance of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Colostrum’s Immune Transfer Factors

Immune transfer factors in colostrum have been shown to promote the body’s fight against harmful invaders. Immune factors in colostrum help balance the immune system and regulate the thymus, a key component of the immune system; nutritional aid in control of inflammation and assist in protection against allergic reactions. Immunoglobulins are the primary active components in bovine colostrum, which attempt to neutralize pathogens.

Human colostrum contains only 2% of this critical immunoglobulin. Bovine colostrum in comparison contains 38% immunoglobulins, specifically IgG as a protein that acts as an antibody. IgG is one of the most important immunoglobulins because of proven effectiveness against multiple microorganisms, many of which are now resistant to current antibiotics. Bovine colostrum contains the highest levels of immune transfer and growth factors possible, up to 4 times more immune factors than human colostrum.

Colostrum also contains PRP or Polyproline-Rich-Peptides. Medical studies show PRP in colostrum improves an under active or suppressed immune response. PRP’s support and regulate the thymus gland as the body’s master gland for the immune response. PRP in colostrum also helps balance or calm an overactive immune system. Colostrum, particularly when combined with beta 1/3,1/6 glucan, is especially beneficial for those persons with chronically depleted immune responses, or for those who have had long lasting chronic or recurring infections.

Colostrum Growth Factors

The growth factors contained in (bovine) colostrum, while identical to those in humans, are many times more potent. Growth factors in colostrum are alleged to be responsible for rebuilding and repairing cellular tissue. Growth factors are compounds whose primary effects are involved to some extent in building, maintaining and repairing bone mass, muscle, nerves and cartilage and improving nutrient uptake. These growth factors in colostrum have also been shown to help increase lean muscle, help the body burn fat for fuel (stimulate fat metabolism assisting in weight loss) and assist in wound healing.

Colostrum also is proposed to nutritionally aid to increase memory and balance blood sugar levels and help regulate brain chemicals that control moods (helping to overcome depression). Colostrum is especially effective as an anti-aging agent.

The growth factors in colostrum have been shown to contribute to returning elasticity to the skin with skin tissues often firming up while wrinkles frequently retreat or disappear. Colostrum’s balanced anti-aging hormones make it more effective and safer than hGH or human growth hormone. With consistent use, the growth factors in colostrum, continually nutritionally aids in the regeneration and rebuilding of the entire body.

Colostrum has a cumulative effect meaning the longer colostrum is used the more the probable health benefit. Colostrum is used by many athlete’s to help build lean muscle, repair and restore injured muscles, improve stamina and increase energy levels.

Colostrum and Aging

After adolescence, the body’s production of growth hormones, which are needed for cell reproduction and maintenance, begins to decline steadily. By age 60, the body’s secretes little growth hormone and aging accelerates. The immune system also starts to decline with aging and by age sixty-five the function of the thymus gland and T-cells ability to respond aggressively and effectively to pathogens harmful to health are reduced to 50 percent from optimum capabilities.

Other negative changes associated with aging, include wear and tear on the joints, loss of skin elasticity, decreased functioning of the endocrine glands with a resulting reduction in the number of circulating hormones, decreased output of insulin by the pancreas, and decreased activity by the adrenal glands which are responsible for regulating the body’s response to stress. Colostrum supplies the body with hormonal growth factors as well as stimulating the endocrine system to keep producing hormones. Research strongly indicates that the combination of growth factors found in colostrum create a potent anti-aging effects including tighter skin by Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), which results in a reduction of wrinkles, and re-growth of cells and tissue of organs that normally decrease in size with age.

Colostrum for most aids in return of elasticity in the skin; increases in energy and endurance; improvement of eyesight; elevation of moods and increases in bone density for stronger healthier bones.

Colostrinin, a component of colostrum more commonly known as PRP, improves mental functioning and is believed to be nutritionally helpful to many with Alzheimer’s.

Colostrum and Obesity

Colostrum contains growth factors that can help your body better utilize the food you eat and burn more fat. These growth factors (in particular, IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) are normally produced by the body, but their numbers can be severely reduced by aging, lack of exercise, exposure to environmental toxins and poor nutrition. Colostrum helps restores the body’s levels of IGF-1 which along with exercise and a nutritious diet, can result in better metabolization or the “burning” of fat; increased rate of growth of muscle mass and better strength and endurance leading to a leaner, healthier body and appearance. Colostrum increases metabolism safely and naturally, helping you feel more energized, with a natural reduction of cellulite.

Colostrum and the Digestive/Intestinal Track

Numerous studies conducted over the past decades demonstrate bovine colostrum contains protease (pro tee aase’) inhibitors that prevent the digestive enzymes in the human digestive tract from destroying the essential immunoglobulins in colostrum; thus allowing the immunoglobulins in colostrum to pass unaltered to the bowel and adhere to the mucosal surfaces to stimulate the production of antibodies in the intestinal track and the lungs.

Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which the intestinal lining is more permeable than normal due to abnormally large spaces, or “holes” between the cells of an inflamed intestinal lining. Leaky gut syndrome creates an inability to properly digest and assimilate food; allowing the entry of viruses, bacteria, fungi and other toxic substances into the bloodstream.  Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and other elusive ailments are believed by many to be related. The enlarged spaces in an inflamed intestinal wall allow the absorption of large molecular proteins from food ordinarily broken down before entering the bloodstream.

These large undigested proteins in the bloodstream, while not pathogens, are considered dangerous foreign substances by the immune cells, which produce antibodies to attack and attempt to remove the foreign substances.  The inappropriate immune response is described frequently as a food allergy. Leaky gut syndrome also causes a long list of mineral deficiencies creating nutrient delivery impairment, organ and tissue problems and energy loss.

Colostrum contains substances known to contribute to resolution of leaky gut syndrome by repairing damaged tissue and sealing the mucus layer of the intestines, making the mucous layer of the intestines more resistant to viruses, bacteria, fungi, toxins and parasites; while aiding in reduction of inflammation.

The enhanced nutrient uptake resulting from colostrum intake supports other vital tissues and organs, yielding improved organ function and increased energy levels. Because the proper function of the gastrointestinal track is so vitally important to so many processes in the body, the contributions by colostrum to resolution of leaky gut syndrome and allergies are many. Colostrum also helps to protect the stomach and intestines from toxic effects of NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Colostrum is then an important natural nutritional substance containing transfer and growth factors, Colostrinin, PRP and additional components to promote general and immune wellness in persons of all ages, with quality of source critical to the degree of health benefits to be derived by oral intake over time.

About the Author 

Frank M. Jordan is an author and nationally recognized health expert who received a degree in graduate and post-graduate studies from The University of Texas at Austin. Jordan is CEO of Carmel Research and Editor of IMMUNITION Reports.

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