Colostrum - NutraPedia

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Colostrum: An Overview

1. Conditions Studied for Colostrum

Colostrum has been studied for a variety of health conditions, including:

  • Immune system enhancement
  • Gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea and leaky gut syndrome
  • Upper respiratory tract infections
  • Colitis and inflammation
  • Infections in newborns
  • Improving athletic performance
  • Reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

2. Efficacy in Treating Conditions

Research on colostrum's effectiveness in treating these conditions has yielded mixed results:

  • In some studies, colostrum has been shown to enhance immune function and may help reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea.
  • For gastrointestinal disorders, evidence suggests that it can help improve intestinal health by reinforcing the gut barrier.
  • Its benefits for upper respiratory tract infections and reducing inflammation are less clear, with studies showing varying results.
  • Colostrum supplementation has shown some promise in improving athletic performance, though more research is needed.

3. Health Benefits of Colostrum

Colostrum is known for its rich composition of immunoglobulins, growth factors, and other bioactive molecules, which contribute to its health benefits:

  • Boosting the immune system
  • Supporting gut health and integrity
  • Potential to improve recovery after exercise
  • May have anti-inflammatory properties
  • Can provide essential nutrients and antibodies to newborns

4. Potential Downsides of Colostrum

While colostrum is generally considered safe for most people, there are some potential downsides:

  • People with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance may experience adverse reactions.
  • There is a risk of contamination with harmful substances if not properly screened.
  • Long-term effects of supplementation in adults are not well understood.
  • Possible drug interactions have not been thoroughly researched.

5. Colostrum and Genetic Variations

The impact of colostrum on specific genetic variations is not well-documented. However:

  • Individuals with genetic lactose intolerance may have difficulty digesting colostrum.
  • Genetic variations affecting the immune system could potentially influence how individuals respond to colostrum's immunomodulatory effects.
  • More research is needed to understand the relationship between colostrum and genetic variations fully.

Benefits of Bovine Colostrum in Health

Milk Proteins and Bioactive Peptides: Milk proteins from bovine colostrum contain biological properties for health promotion, including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, alpha-lactalbumin, and beta-lactoglobulin. These contribute to gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and nervous system health.

Colostrum in Clinical Trials

Improving Intestinal Function: Bovine colostrum supplementation in a short bowel syndrome trial showed increased protein and energy absorption but was not conclusively superior to control supplements in improving intestinal function.

Intestinal Permeability: A study on athletes revealed that bovine colostrum might increase intestinal permeability, suggesting potential benefits for macromolecule transport similar to its effects in neonatal guts.

Oligosaccharides and Glycoconjugates in Colostrum

Colostrum contains oligosaccharides that protect against pathogens and promote beneficial gut microflora growth, with structures in bovine colostrum similar to those in human milk.

Colostrum and Immune System Development

Bovine colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins and the complement system, providing passive immunity to newborn calves and potentially benefiting human health through functional foods.

Colostrum and Athletic Performance

IGF-I and Athletic Training: Studies on athletes suggest that bovine colostrum supplementation may elevate serum IGF-I and saliva IgA concentrations, potentially improving athletic performance and training outcomes.

Gastrointestinal Health and Colostrum

Colostrum has shown potential as a treatment for distal colitis and may offer benefits in conjunction with standard therapies.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Human colostrum and milk contain soluble TNF-alpha receptors that can neutralize TNF-alpha activity, indicating anti-inflammatory properties.

Bactericidal Effects

Bovine lactoferrin and lactoferricin can damage the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, with lactoferricin showing a direct bactericidal effect.

Potential Applications

Colostrum research indicates potential for enhancing human nutrition and health, improving gastrointestinal functions in adults, and creating health-promoting functional foods.

References:


  1. Technological options for the production of health-promoting proteins and peptides derived from milk and colostrum
  2. Randomised controlled trial of colostrum to improve intestinal function in patients with short bowel syndrome
  3. Oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates in bovine milk and colostrum
  4. Presence of two neutral disaccharides containing N-acetylhexosamine in bovine colostrum as free forms
  5. Structural determination of three neutral oligosaccharides in bovine (Holstein-Friesian) colostrum, including the novel trisaccharide; GalNAc alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc
  6. Chemical structure of three neutral trisaccharides isolated in free form from bovine colostrum
  7. New chromatographic system for the rapid analysis and preparation of colostrum sialyloligosaccharides
  8. Isolation of sialyl oligosaccharides and sialyl oligosaccharide phosphates from bovine colostrum and human urine
  9. Bovine colostrum supplementation during running training increases intestinal permeability
  10. Nutritional and biochemical properties of human milk, Part I: General aspects, proteins, and carbohydrates
  11. Milk immunoglobulins and complement factors
  12. IGF-I, IgA, and IgG responses to bovine colostrum supplementation during training
  13. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone, and saliva IgA during training
  14. Factors affecting insulin-like growth factor-I concentration in bovine milk
  15. Insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding proteins in colostrum compared to measures in serum of Holstein neonates
  16. Use of the 'nutriceutical', bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial study
  17. Bovine colostrum supplementation and exercise performance: potential mechanisms
  18. Soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) receptors in human colostrum and milk bind to TNF-alpha and neutralize TNF-alpha bioactivity
  19. Antibacterial activity of lactoferrin and a pepsin-derived lactoferrin peptide fragment
  20. Insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 in bovine colostrum. Sequences and biological activities compared with those of a potent truncated form
  21. Degradation of IGF-I in the adult rat gastrointestinal tract is limited by a specific antiserum or the dietary protein casein
  22. Effects of dietary recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I on concentrations of hormones and growth factors in the blood of newborn calves
  23. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF binding proteins, and other endocrine factors in milk: role in the newborn
  24. Intestinal transmission of macromolecules (BSA and FITC-labelled dextrans) in the neonatal pig. Influence of age of piglet and molecular weight of markers
  25. The importance of colostral immunoglobulins and their absorption from the intestine of the newborn animals
  26. The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in elite field hockey players
  27. Effect of bovine colostrum on anaerobic exercise performance and plasma insulin-like growth factor I
  28. Analysis of bovine immunoglobulin G in milk, colostrum and dietary supplements: a review
  29. A novel extract from bovine colostrum whey supports innate immune functions. II. Rapid changes in cellular immune function in humans
  30. Milk immunoglobulin with specific activity against purified colonization factor antigens can protect against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
  31. Lack of prophylactic efficacy of an enteric-coated bovine hyperimmune milk product against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli challenge administered during a standard meal
  32. 15N-labeled immunoglobulins from bovine colostrum are partially resistant to digestion in human intestine
  33. Use of bovine milk concentrate containing antibody to rotavirus to treat rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants
  34. Oral bovine colostrum supplementation enhances buffer capacity but not rowing performance in elite female rowers
  35. Bovine colostrum supplementation does not affect plasma buffer capacity or haemoglobin content in elite female rowers
  36. Protein metabolism and strength performance after bovine colostrum supplementation
  37. The effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and exercise performance in active men and women
  38. Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on the composition of resistance trained and untrained limbs in healthy young men
  39. Bovine colostrum supplementation during endurance running training improves recovery, but not performance
  40. Co-administration of the health food supplement, bovine colostrum, reduces the acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced increase in intestinal permeability
  41. Effect of running intensity on intestinal permeability
  42. Stress-induced gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction and its inflammatory effects
  43. Intestinal barrier dysfunction, endotoxemia, and gastrointestinal symptoms: the 'canary in the coal mine' during exercise-heat stress?
  44. The nutriceutical bovine colostrum truncates the increase in gut permeability caused by heavy exercise in athletes
  45. Role of heat shock proteins in gastric mucosal protection
  46. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on immune variables in highly trained cyclists
  47. The influence of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in highly trained cyclists
  48. Effect of a mixture of micronutrients, but not of bovine colostrum concentrate, on immune function parameters in healthy volunteers: a randomized placebo-controlled study
  49. Modulation of human humoral immune response through orally administered bovine colostrum
  50. The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on salivary IgA in distance runners
  51. Bovine colostrum supplementation's lack of effect on immune variables during short-term intense exercise in well-trained athletes
  52. Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on respiratory tract mucosal defenses in swimmers
  53. The effect of bovine colostrum on viral upper respiratory tract infections in children with immunoglobulin A deficiency
  54. Correlation between serum IgG-2 concentrations and the antibody response to bacterial polysaccharide antigens
  55. Immunoglobulin responses to a repeated bout of downhill running
  56. Biological components in a standardized derivative of bovine colostrum
  57. Augmentation of cellular immunity and protection against influenza virus infection by bovine late colostrum in mice
  58. Bovine colostrum modulates cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and phytohemagglutinin
  59. Immunomodulatory effects of bovine colostrum in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  60. Bovine colostrum supplementation attenuates the decrease of salivary lysozyme and enhances the recovery of neutrophil function after prolonged exercise
  61. Changes in lymphocyte subpopulations after prolonged exercise
  62. Influence of acute submaximal exercise on T-lymphocyte suppressor cell function in healthy young men
  63. A colostral protein that induces the growth and differentiation of resting B lymphocytes
  64. Colostrinin: a proline-rich polypeptide complex of potential therapeutic interest
  65. Concentrated bovine colostrum protein supplementation reduces the incidence of self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in adult males
  66. Oral microbial ecology and the role of salivary immunoglobulin A
  67. Selective IgA deficiency
  68. The function of immunoglobulin A in immunity
  69. Therapeutic potentials of bovine colostrums
  70. [Do colostrum tablets have a symptomatic effect on sore throat?]
  71. How does HIV cause depletion of CD4 lymphocytes? A mechanism involving virus signaling through its cellular receptors
  72. The potential for CD4 cell increases in HIV-positive individuals who control viraemia with highly active antiretroviral therapy
  73. CD4 T-lymphocyte recovery in individuals with advanced HIV-1 infection receiving potent antiretroviral therapy for 4 years: the Swiss HIV Cohort Study
  74. Discrepant responses to triple combination antiretroviral therapy in advanced HIV disease
  75. Intensification of antiretroviral therapy with raltegravir or addition of hyperimmune bovine colostrum in HIV-infected patients with suboptimal CD4+ T-cell response: a randomized controlled trial
  76. ColoPlus, a new product based on bovine colostrum, alleviates HIV-associated diarrhoea
  77. A pilot study: bovine colostrum supplementation and hormonal and autonomic responses to competitive cycling
  78. Dose effects of oral bovine colostrum on physical work capacity in cyclists
  79. Insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins: biological actions
  80. Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach
  81. Ghrelin in the postnatal development of the gastrointestinal tract
  82. Perspectives on immunoglobulins in colostrum and milk
  83. Antibody to human rotavirus in cow's milk
  84. Epidemiology of travelers' diarrhea and relative importance of various pathogens
  85. Protection by milk immunoglobulin concentrate against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
  86. Randomized control trials using a tablet formulation of hyperimmune bovine colostrum to prevent diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in volunteers
  87. Immunity to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
  88. Enteropathy associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  89. Cessation of Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea in an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patient after treatment with hyperimmune bovine colostrum
  90. Treatment with bovine hyperimmune colostrum of cryptosporidial diarrhea in AIDS patients
  91. Treatment of severe diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum with oral bovine immunoglobulin concentrate in patients with AIDS
  92. Treatment of diarrhoea in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with immunoglobulins from bovine colostrum
  93. Effect of bovine colostrum-based food supplement in the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial
  94. Bovine colostrum is a health food supplement which prevents NSAID induced gut damage
  95. Cytokine modulation of intestinal epithelial cell restitution: central role of transforming growth factor beta
  96. Effects of lactoferrin and its peptides on proliferation of rat intestinal epithelial cell line, IEC-18, in the presence of epidermal growth factor
  97. Transglutaminase-2 mediates calcium-regulated crosslinking of the Y-box 1 (YB-1) translation-regulatory protein in TGFβ1-activated myofibroblasts
  98. Dynamics of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signaling in Wound Healing and Scarring
  99. Correlations between defined sigmoidoscopic appearances and other measures of disease activity in ulcerative colitis


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