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Colostrum
(Bovine, sheep)
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| Introduction |
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| Colostrum is the fluid that is produced in the breast during the final weeks of pregnancy. Bovine colostrum is the form of colostrum that is usually collected and made commercially available for human consumption. However, the structure and activity of many substances found in bovine colostrum have been determined to be similar or identical to those found in the colostrum of humans and other mammals.(1, 2, 3) Humans produce relatively small amounts of colostrum compared to a cow, which produces approximately 9 gallons of colostrum making it more readily available for commercial application. In addition, bovine colostrum contains a higher concentration of the active substances mentioned above.
Colostrum is reported to contain many important constituents such as antibodies, enzymes and proteins. Colostrum also contains elevated concentrations of important hormones and growth-promoting peptides, such as insulin, cortisol, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which play important roles in the developing newborn.(4) Studies have not been conducted to determine the effects these substances have on humans when colostrum is taken in supplement form.
There are several different colostrum preparations on the market. The main difference in these preparations is the time of collection and the care and feeding of the cows from which the colostrum is collected. Timing of collection is important in that most of the colostrum is collected during the first six hours after birth.
Colostrum is easily absorbed in the intestines. It does not occur in foods. Colostrum supplements consumed by humans are derived from bovine and sometimes sheep colostrum. |
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| Reported Uses |
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In animal(5) and human(6) studies, a specific constituent of sheep colostrum demonstrated the ability to improve cognitive functioning demonstrated the ability to improve cognitive functioning in Alzheimers patients. This small study reported improvements in the patients who participated during the one year trial. Bovine colostrum products and human milk, which contains colostrum, are thought to enhance or strengthen the immune system.(7) They contain antibodies that have proven to be effective against a wide range of bacterial diseases.(8, 9) They also contain specific chemicals which are known to be antiviral in nature.(10)
Several types of diarrhea respond to colostrum therapy. In fact there have been studies done involving children and AIDS patients that indicated the effectiveness of colostrum in several studies.(11, 12, 13, 14)
The use of colostrum along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was determined to decrease the intestinal injury that occurred when the NSAIDs were used alone.(15)
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| Dosage Info |
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| Dosage Range |
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Most Common Dosage |
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Dosage Forms |
| Varies according to the type of product and dosage form being used. |
Varies according to the type of product and dosage form being used. |
Tablets, capsules, powder, liquids, bars, and lozenges. |
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| Toxicities & Precautions |
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General
This dietary supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines. |
Pregnancy/Breast-Feeding
This dietary supplement should not be used if you are pregnant or breast-feeding an infant without first consulting your physician.To date, the medical literature has not reported any adverse effects related to fetal development during pregnancy or to infants who are breast-fed. Yet little is known about the use of this dietary supplement while pregnant or breast-feeding. Therefore, it is recommended that you inform your healthcare practitioner of any dietary supplements you are using while pregnant or breast-feeding. |
Age Limitations
To date, the medical literature has not reported any adverse effects specifically related to the use of this dietary supplement in children. Vitamins and minerals are an essential part of proper growth and development. Talk to your healthcare professional about the appropriate use of vitamins and minerals in children. Do not use any vitamin or mineral in children under 2 years of age unless first discussed with your healthcare professional. |
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| Footnotes |
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1 Francis GL, Upton FM, Ballard FJ, et al. Insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 in bovine colostrum. Sequences and biological activities compared with those of a potent truncated form. Biochem J. Apr1988;251(1):95-103.
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2 Marcotty C, Frankenne F, Van Beeumen J, et al. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) from cow colostrum: purification and characterization. Growth Regul. Jun1991;1(2):56-61.
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3 Gopal PK, Gill HS. Oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates in bovine milk and colostrum. Br J Nutr. Nov2000;84(Suppl 1):S69-74.
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4 Xu RJ. Development of the newborn GI tract and its relation to colostrum/milk intake: a review. Reprod Fertil Dev. 1996;8(1):35-48.
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5 Popik P, Galoch Z, Janusz M, et al. Cognitive effects of Colostral-Val nonapeptide in aged rats. Behav Brain Res. Jan2001;118(2):201-8.
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6 Leszek J, Inglot AD, Janusz M, et al. Colostrinin: a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) complex isolated from ovine colostrum for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Arch Immunol Ther Exp. 1999;47(6):377-85.
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7 Vidal K, van den Broek P, Lorget F, Donnet-Hughes A. Osteoprotegerin in human milk: a potential role in the regulation of bone metabolism and immune development. Pediatr Res. Jun2004;55(6):1001-8.
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8 Korhonen H, Marnila P, Gill HS. Bovine milk antibodies for health. Br J Nutr. Nov2000;84(Suppl 1):S135-46.
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9 Brinkworth GD, Buckley JD. Concentrated bovine colostrum protein supplementation reduces the incidence of self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in adult males. Eur J Nutr. Aug2003;42(4):228-32.
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10 van Hooijdonk AC, Kussendrager KD, Steijns JM. In vivo antimicrobial and antiviral activity of components in bovine milk and colostrum involved in non-specific defence. Br J Nutr. Nov2000;84(Suppl 1):S127-34.
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11 Sarker SA, Casswall TH, Mahalanabis D, et al. Successful treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in children with immunoglobulin from immunized bovine colostrum. Pediatr Infect Dis J. Dec1998;17(12):1149-54.
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12 Huppertz HI, Rutkowski S, Busch DH, et al. Bovine colostrum ameliorates diarrhea in infection with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, shiga toxin-producing E. Coli, and E. coli expressing intimin and hemolysin. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Oct1999;29(4):452-6.
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13 Greenberg PD, Cello JP. Treatment of severe diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum with oral bovine immunoglobulin concentrate in patients with AIDS. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol. Dec1996;13(4):348-54.
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14 Nord J, Ma P, DiJohn D, et al. Treatment with bovine hyperimmune colostrum of cryptosporidial diarrhea in AIDS patients. AIDS. Jun1990;4(6):581-4.
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15 Playford RJ, MacDonald CE, Calnan DP, et al. Co-administration of the health food supplement, bovine colostrum, reduces the acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced increase in intestinal permeability. Clin Sci. Jun2001;100(6):627-33.
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