Colostrum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Colostrum (also known as beestings or first milk or "immune milk") is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals in late pregnancy. Most species will generate colostrum within one day of giving birth.
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[edit] Effects in infants
Newborns have very small digestive systems, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of the baby's first stool, which is called meconium. This clears excess bilirubin, a waste product of dead red blood cells which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume reduction, from the infant's body and helps prevent jaundice. Colostrum is known to contain immunoglobulins such as IgA and IgM in humans and mice. IgA is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium, travels through the blood, and is secreted onto other Type 1 mucosal surfaces. Colostrum also contains a variety of growth factors (IGfs).
[edit] Adult consumption
Few scientific studies suggest that adult human consumption of bovine colostrum is beneficial to general health. Proponents of the use of bovine colostrum by humans as a dietary supplement or as Medical Food claim that bovine colostrum raises both general immunity and physical strength, and sometimes cite the few studies of bovine colostrum in humans. While numerous studies show safety when used by adults, most of these studies do not show great efficacy of normal colostrum for human consumption, but show significant efficacy for specific health and immunity parameters when using Hyper Immunized colostrum (see below) [1][2][3]
[edit] Hyper Immunized Colostrum (Colostrum of Cows Immunized Against Specific Antigens)
Some biotechnology companies have tested whether injecting cows with vaccines protecting against human diseases will cause them to produce the corresponding antibodies, and to secrete large quantities of these antibodies in their colostrum. Such "hyper-immunized" colostrum could help humans fight specific pathogens. One source of research on hyper-immunized colostrum is the Australian company Immuron, who claim that their research could help with diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, type 2 diabetes, influenza, and gastrointestinal sequelae of AIDS.[4] [5] Several products of this type are under development or being evaluated in human clinical trials, in collaboration with university researchers.
[edit] External links
- Colostrum Center Website
- Article on Colostrum Use in Horses, Dogs and People
- Institute of Colostrum Research - Colostrum Study Papers Abstract
- Maryland Cooperative Extension
[edit] References
- ^ Siber G. (1992) Immune globulin to prevent nosocomial infection. New England Journal of Medicine. 327(4):269-71.[1]
- ^ Korhonen H.1; Marnila P.1; Gill H.S.2 Milk immunoglobulins and complement factors, British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 84, Supplement s1, 1 November 2000 , pp. 75-80(6) [2]
- ^ Mitra AK, Mahalanabis D, Ashraf H, Unicomb L, Eeckels R, Tzipori S. Hyperimmune cow colostrum reduces diarrhoea due to rotavirus: a double-blind, controlled clinical trial, Acta Paediatr. 1995 Sep;84(9):996-1001[3]
- ^ Immuron - Research & Product Development
- ^ Immuron Flubody
