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Most supplement providers don’t give their clients enough credit for wanting to learn about their supplements. If they refer to research at all in promotional literature, they use very vague statements and seldom provide a reference so that the clients can read the research themselves. They seem to think that people don’t want to learn, or that their clients aren't able to understand the research. We believe that most people do want to learn more about the supplements that they take, and that we should be helping to educate those people. >>>







Colostrum Research

Most supplement providers don’t give their clients enough credit for wanting to learn about their supplements. If they refer to research at all in promotional literature, they use very vague statements and seldom provide a reference so that the clients can read the research themselves. They seem to think that people don’t want to learn, or that their clients aren’t able to understand the research. We believe that most people do want to learn more about the supplements that they take, and that we should be helping to educate those people.

There are literally hundreds of published research papers detailing the uses and benefits of colostrum. We spend a great deal of time staying on top of the research on colostrum, but we know that not everyone is able to do the same. For that reason, we have provided summaries of the most relevant articles to make it easier for you to keep up with colostrum research. Below you will find a brief description of results from a select number of the recent research papers published in biomedical journals concerning the use of bovine colostrum to enhance and stimulate the immune system. This is by no means a complete listing, as research is ongoing and more papers are being published on a near-daily basis.

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Protection by milk immunoglobulin concentrate against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Tacket, et al., 1988. N Engl J Med 318:1240-1243.

A clinical trial in which colostrum was used to treat Traveler’s diarrhea. It was found that subjects receiving colostrum were completely protected from infection and diarrhea caused by E. coli infection. None of the subjects reported any side effects.

Prophylactic Effect of Bovine Anti-Cryptosporidium Hyperimmune Colostrum Immunoglobulin in Healthy Volunteers Challenged with Cryptosporidium parvum. Okhuysen, et al., 1998. Clin Infect Dis 26:1324-1329.

Colostrum was tested in a controlled clinical trial for effectiveness in treating Cryptosporidium infection. It was found that colostrum supplementation reduced the severity of diarrhea caused by infection with this parasite. The authors suggest that colostrum may be an effective treatment for AIDS patients, for whom this type of infection may be life-threatening.

Antibodies from Colostrum in Oral Immunotherapy. Stephen, et al., 1990. J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 28:19-23.

A trial in which dried colostrum was used to treat gastrointestinal tract infections. Colostrum was found to have high antibody titres against many human pathogens and bacterial toxins. A clinical trial on AIDS patients showed that colostrum reduced or eliminated diarrhea in 22 of 33 subjects already infected by a pathogen. All patients tolerated the colostrum treatment well.

Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter mustelae Binding to Lipid Receptors by Bovine Colostrum.Bitzan, et al., 1998. J Infect Dis 177:955-961.

Helicobacter pylori is the primary causative agent of chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcers, and has been linked to gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma of the stomach. In this controlled trial, colostrum was shown to inhibit the ability of H. pylori to bind to receptors on the intestinal surface, blocking a critical step in pathogenesis. The authors suggest that colostrum may be an effective preventive agent.

Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-1, IgG, hormone, and saliva IgA during training. Mero, et al., 1997. J Appl Physiol 83:1144-1151.

This paper reports the results of a controlled clinical trial on the effects of liquid colostrum supplementation by athletes. Colostrum supplementation during training resulted in higher IGF-1 levels than those observed in the control subjects. This is an important finding for athletes since IGF-1, found in colostrum, is known to exhibit anabolic effects on muscle tissue.

Immunoglobulin A supplementation abrogates bacterial translocation and preserves the architecture of the intestinal epithelium.Dickenson, et al., 1998. Surgery 124:284-290.

This trial showed that infections that originate in the gut can be prevented with Immunoglobulin A derived from mammary fluid. The risk of disease is decreased since the IgA from colostrum prevents pathogenic bacteria from crossing the intestinal epithelium and entering the bloodstream.

Colostral constituents including immunoglobulins in the first three milkings postpartum. Oyenyi and Hunter, 1978. J Dairy Sci 61:44-48.

Describes the nutritive and immunological contents of bovine colostrum. Shows that the immunoglobulin content of colostrum depends on the condition of the cow and the time elapsed since birth. The richest colostrum, in terms of immunoglobulin content, is obtained from mature cows that have given birth on more than one occasion. Colostrum should be collected within 48 hours of birth for the highest potency.

Antibody reactivity and fecal recovery of bovine immunoglobulins following oral administration of a colostrum concentrate from cows (Lactobin) to healthy volunteers. Lissner, et al., 1998. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 36:239-245.

Describes the immunological reactivity of colostrum against the human intestinal pathogens Yersinia enterocolitica and Campylobacter jejuni. The authors note that there is high reactivity with membrane proteins of both organisms.

Bovine immunoglobulin concentrate-Clostridium difficile retains C difficile toxin neutralising activity after passage through the human stomach and small intestine. Warny, et al., 1999. Gut 44:212-217.

Immunoglobulins from colostrum retain their immunological activity after passage through the human stomach and small intestine. This is a vital requirement for assuring that the entire G.I. tract is provided with passive immune protection.

A preparation from bovine colostrum in the treatment of HIV-positive patients with chronic diarrhea. Plettenberg, et al., 1993. Clin Investig 71:42-45.

25 patients infected with HIV and suffering from diarrhea were given colostrum for a period of 10 days. Supplementation resulted in complete (40%) or partial (24%) remission of diarrhea in 64% of the patients.

Bovine lactoferrin induces both mucosal and systemic immune response in mice. Debbabi, et al., 1998. J Dairy Res65:283-293.

Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin, as found in colostrum, resulted in stimulation of the immune system of the intestinal mucosa. The authors believe that lactoferrin binding to the mucosa acts as an immunostimulating signal.

Epidermal growth factor upregulates intestinal electrolyte and nutrient transport. Opleta-Madsen, et al., 1991a. Am J Physiol 23:G807-G814.

Describes the ability of EGF, found in colostrum, to mediate growth and development of cells of the intestinal epithelium. EGF receptors are located throughout the intestinal tract, and EGF is shown to increase electrolyte and nutrient transport into the bloodstream.

Epidermal Growth Factor and Postnatal Development of Intestinal Transport and Membrane Structure.Opleta-Madsen, et al., 1991b. Pediatr Res30:342-350.

EGF stimulates the growth and proliferation of cells of the intestine. This growth results in the production of new, healthy cells at the microvilli, which are less likely to be invaded by pathogens.

Immunologically active nonapeptide fragment of a proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum: Amino acid sequence and immunoregulatory properties. Staroscik, et al., 1983. Mol Immonol 20:1279-1282.

Describes the presence and immunoregulatory properties of a proline-rich polypeptide in colostrum. Notes that a small fragment, only 9 amino acids, exhibits all of the immunoregulatory abilities of the full length peptide.

Lactoferrin Enhances Hydroxyl Radical Production by Human Neutrophils, Neutrophil Particulate Fractions, and an Enzymatic Generating System. Ambruso and Johnston, 1981. J Clin Invest 67:352-360.

Describes the ability of lactoferrin, as found in colostrum, to enhance the ability of human neutrophils (white blood cells) to produce hydroxyl radicals. These radicals are produced during active phagocytosis, and are believed to be an important part of the antibacterial response.

Influence of Colostrum on Transepithelial Movement of Escherichia coli 055. Corley, et al., 1977. J Dairy Sci 60:1416-1421.

Supplementation with colostrum resulted in fewer pathogenic E. coli reaching the bloodstream than without supplementation. E. coli did not seem to adhere to and penetrate the intestinal epithelium of the subjects receiving colostrum.

Effects of orally administered epidermal growth factor on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection in rabbits. Buret, et al., 1998. Infect Immun 66:4917-4923.

Oral supplementation with EGF, as found in colostrum, prevented the diarrhea and weight loss associated with E. coli infection. Results indicate that EGF prevents colonization by the pathogen, preventing the onset of disease.

Successful treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in children with immunoglobulin from immunized bovine colostrum. Sarker, et al., 1998. Pediatr Infect Dis J 17:1149-1154.

80 children with diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection were included in a double-blind placebo controlled trial of colostrum. Subjects receiving colostrum powder had less severe diarrhea, were less dehydrated, and recovered faster than subjects receiving no colostrum. No adverse effects of colostrum supplementation were noted.

References

  • Ambruso, D.R., and Johnston, R.B. 1991. Lactoferrin enhances hydroxyl radical production by human neutrophils, neutrophil particulate granules, and an enzymatic generating system. J. Clin. Invest. 67:352-360.
  • Appelmelk, B.J., An, Y.-Q., Geerts, M., Thijs, B.G., de Boer, H.A., MacLaren, D.M., de Graaf, J., and Nuijens, J.H. 1994. Lactoferrin is a Lipid A-Binding Protein. Infect. Immun. 62(6):2628-2632.
  • Ballard, F.J., Nield, M.K., Francis, G.L., Dahlenburg, G.W., and Wallace, J.C. 1982. The Relationship Between the Insulin Content and Inhibitory Effects of Bovine Colostrum in Protein Breakdown in Cultured Cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 110:249-254.
  • Barton, B.E. and Jackson, J.V. 1993. Protective Role of Interleukin 6 in the Lipopolysaccharide-Galactosamine Septic Shock Model. Infect. Immun. 61:1496-1499.
  • Bitzan, M.M., Gold, B.D., Philpott, D.J., Sherman, P.M., Karch, H., Lissner, R., Lingwood, C.A., and Karmali, M.A. 1998. Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter mustelae Binding to Lipid Receptors by Bovine Colostrum. J. Infect. Dis. 177:955-961.
  • Burrin, D.G., Shulman, R.T., Reeds, P.J., Davis, T.A., and Gravitt, K.R. 1997. Porcine colostrum and milk stimulate visceral organ and skeletal muscle protein synthesis in neonatal pigs. J. Nutr. 122:1205-1213.
  • Burrin, D.G., Wang, H., Heath, J., and Dudley, M.A. 1996. Orally Administered Lactoferrin Increases Hepatic Protein Synthesis in Formula-Fed Newborn Pigs. Pediatr. Res. 40:72-76.
  • Casswall, T.H., Sarker, S.A., Albert, M.J., Fuchs, G.J., Bergstrom, M., Bjorck, L., and Hammarstrom, L. 1998. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in infants in rural Bangladesh with oral immunoglobulins from hyperimmune bovine colostrum. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 12:563-568.
  • Corley, L.D., Staley, T.E., Bush, L.J., and Jones, E.W., 1977. Influence of colostrum on transepithelial movement of Escherichia coli 055. J Dairy Sci 60:1416-1421.
  • Dickinson, E.C., Gorga, J.C., Garrett, M., Tuncer, R., Boyle, P., Watkins, S.C., Alber, S.M., Parizhskaya, M., Trucco, M., Rowe, M.I., and Ford, H. 1988. Immunoglobulin A supplementation abrogates bacterial translocation and preserves the architecture of the intestinal epithelium. Surgery 124:284-290.
  • Dionysius, D.A. and Milne, J.M. 1996. Antibacterial Peptides of Bovine Lactoferrin: Purification and Characterization. J. Dairy Sci. 80:667-674.
  • Dominguez, E., Perez, M.D., and Calvo, M., 1997. Effect of heat treatment on the antigen-binding activity of anti-peroxidase immunoglobulins in bovine colostrum. J Dairy Sci 80:3182-3187.
  • Ebina, T. 1996. Prophylaxis of rotavirus gastroenteritis using immunoglobulin. Arch. Virol. Suppl. 12:217-223.
  • Francis, G.L., Read, L.C., Ballard, F.J., Bagley, C.J., Upton, F.M., Gravestock, P.M., and Wallace, J.C. 1986. Purification and partial sequence analysis of insulin-like growth factor-I from bovine colostrum. Biochem. J. 233:207-213.
  • Gomez, G.G., Phillips, O., and Goforth, R.A., 1998. Effect of Immunoglobulin Source on Survival, Growth, and Hematological and Immunological Variables in Pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 76:1-7.
  • Greenberg, P.D., and Cello, J.P. 1996. Treatment of severe diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum with oral bovine immunoglobulin concentrate in patients with AIDS. J. Acquir. Immune Defic, Syndr. Hum. Retrovirol. 13:348-354.
  • Harmsen, M.C., Swart, P.J., de Bethune, M.-P., Pauwels, R., De Clercq, E., The, T.H., and Meijer, D.K.F. 1995. Antiviral Effects of Plasma and Milk Proteins: Lactoferrin Shows Potent Activity against Both Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Human Cytomegalovirus Replication In Vitro. J. Infect. Dis. 172:380-388.
  • Husu, J., Syvaoja, E.-L., Ahola-Luttila, H., Kalsta, H., Sivela, S., and Kosunen, T.U. 1993. Production of hyperimmune bovine colostrum against Campylobacter jejuni. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 74:564-569.
  • Ikeda, M., Sugiyama, K., Tanaka, T., Tanaka, K., Sekihara, H., Shimotohno, K., and Kato, N. 1998. Lactoferrin Markedly Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Cultured Human Hepatocytes. Biochem. and Biophys. Res. Comm. 245:549-553.
  • Inglot, A.D., Janusz, M., and Lisowski, J. 1996. Colostrinine: a proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum is a modest cytokine inducer in human leukocytes. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. (Warsz) 44:215-224.
  • Janusz, M., Wieczorek, Z., Spiegel, K., Kubik, A., Szewczuk, Z., Siemion, I., and Lisowski, J. 1987. Immunoregulatory properties of synthetic peptides, fragments of a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) from ovine colostrum. Molecul. Immunol. 24:1029-1031.
  • Lee, W.J., Farmer, J.L., Hilty, M., and Kim, Y.B. 1998. The Protective Effects of Lactoferrin Feeding against Endotoxin Lethal Shock in Germfree Piglets. Infect. Immun. 66:1421-1426.
  • Lissner, R., Thurmann, P.A., Merz, G., and Karch, H., 1998. Antibody reactivity and fecal recovery of bovine immunoglobulins following oral administration of a colostrum concentrate from cows (Lactobin) to healthy volunteers. Int. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 36:239-245.
  • Mero, A., Miikkulainen, H., Riski, J., Pakkanen, K., Aalto, J., and Takala, T. 1997. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-I, IgG, hormone and saliva IgA during training. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(4):1144-1151.
  • Miyauchi, H., Hashimoto, S., Nakajima, M., Shinoda, I., Fukuwatari, Y., and Hayasawa, H. 1998. Bovine Lactoferrin Stimulated the Phagocytic Activity of Human Neutrophils: Identification of Its Active Domain. Cell. Immun. 187:34-37.
  • Miyauchi, H., Kaino, A., Shinoda, I., Fukuwatari, Y., and Hayasawa, H. 1996. Immunomodulatory Effect of Bovine Lactoferrin Pepsin Hydrolysate in Murine Splenocytes and Peyer’s Patch Cells. J. Dairy Sci. 80:2330-2339.
  • Okhuysen, P.C., Chappell, C.L., Crabb, J., Valdez, L.M., Douglass, E.T., and DuPont, H.L. 1998. Prophylactic Effect of Bovine Anti-Cryptosporidium Hyperimmune Colostrum Immunoglobulin in Healthy Volunteers Challenged with Cryptosporidium parvum. Clin. Infect. Dis. 26:1324-1329.
  • Opleta-Madsen, K., Hardin, J., and Gall, D.G. 1991. Epidermal growth factor upregulates intestinal electrolyte and nutrient transport. Am. J. Physiol. 260:G807-G814.
  • Opleta-Madsen, K., Meddings, J.B., and Gall, D.G. 1991. Epidermal Growth Factor and Postnatal Development of Intestinal Transport and Membrane Structure. Pediatr. Res. 30:342-350.
  • Pakdaman, R., Petitjean, M., and El Hage Chahine, J.-M. 1998. Tranferrins: A mechanism for iron uptake by lactoferrin. Eur. J. Biochem. 254:144-153.
  • Plettenberg, A., Stoehr, A., Stellbrink, H.-J., Albrecht, H., and Meigel, W. 1993. A preparation from bovine colostrum in the treatment of HIV-positive patients with chronic diarrhea. Clin. Invest. 71:42-45.
  • Sarker, S.A., Casswall, T.H., Mahalanabis, D., Alam, N.H., Albert, M.J., Brussow, H., Fuchs, G.J., and Hammerstrom, L., 1998. Successful treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in children with immunoglobulin from immunized bovine colostrum. Pediatr Infect Dis J 17:1149-1154.
  • Seve, B., Ballevre, O., Ganier, P., Noblet, J., Prugnaud, J., and Obled, C. 1993. Recombinant Porcine Somatotropin and Dietary Protein Enhance Protein Synthesis in Growing Pigs. J. Nutr. 123:529-540.
  • Spron, M.B., Roberts, A.B., Shull, J.H., Smith, J.M., and Ward, J.M. 1983. Polypeptide Transforming Growth Factors Isolated from Bovine Sources and Used for Wound Healing in vivo. Science 219:1329-1331.
  • Staroscik, K., Janusz, M., Zimecki, M., Weiczorek, Z., and Lisowski, J. 1983. Immunologically active nonapeptide fragment of a proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum: amino acid sequence and immunoregulatory properties. Mol. Immun. 12:1277-1282.
  • Stephen, W., Dichtmuller, H., and Lissner, R., 1990. Antibodies from colostrum in oral immunotherapy. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 28:19-23.
  • Tacket, C.O., Losonsky, G., Link, H., Hoang, Y., Guesry, P., Hilpert, H., and Levinr, M. 1998. Protection by milk immunoglobulin concentrate against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. N. Engl. J. Med. 318:1240-1243.
  • Tizard, I.R. 1996. Veterinary Immunology: An Introduction, Fifth Edition. W.B. Saunders Company, Toronto.
  • Yamauchi, K., Wakabayashi, H., Hashimoto, S., Teraguchi, S., Hayasawa, H., and Tomita, M., 1998. Effects of orally administered bovine lactoferrin on the immune system of healthy volunteers. Adv Exp Med Biol 443:261-265.
  • Warny, M., Fatimi, A., Bostwick, E.F., Laine, D.C., Lebel, F., LaMont, J.T., Pothoulakis, C., and Kelly, C.P., 1999. Bovine immunoglobulin concentrate-Clostridium difficile retains C difficile toxin neutralising activity after passage through the human intestine. Gut 44:212-217
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