CONTENTS
Colostrum may sound a bit exotic, and not everyone knows what it means. Strictly speaking, it's nothing other than bovine colostrum, or breast milk in the first few days after birth. It differs in composition from the later milk, which is consumed in the following days. We didn't bring it into the workshop by chance. This unusual drink is rich in nutrients and offers many benefits. Curious? So, welcome to the article.
Colostrum – what is it?
Colostrum is nothing other than bovine colostrum. Colostrum, on the other hand, is a type of milk secreted by the mammary glands of all female mammals. What distinguishes colostrum from ordinary cow's milk is its nutrient content, density, color, and also its active ingredient content. It is also called young colostrum. It is produced at the end of pregnancy and secreted for a short time after the birth of the offspring. Therefore, it is their first food and crucial for the proper development of young organisms. It is worth mentioning here that colostrum is just as important for human infants. But let's focus on bovine colostrum. The basic function of colostrum is to stimulate the young calves' immune systems, but also to provide them with adequate nutrition and protect them from the harmful effects of microorganisms. It has been proven that calves that did not receive colostrum were much less resistant to disease, were malnourished, and suffered from impaired development. Furthermore, as the first food, it must fully meet the needs for macro- and trace elements and vitamins—which it does. Up to 250 highly concentrated ingredients have been discovered in it. All this to ensure proper development.
Colostrum – what’s in it?
Although colostrum is primarily intended for calves, this does not mean that we cannot take advantage of its wonderful properties. The variety of nutrients it contains is unparalleled by any other product of natural origin. The most valuable ingredients it contains are undoubtedly various proteins. We are talking about immunoglobulins, which provide comprehensive immunity. Let's not forget lactoferrin, lysozyme, and lactoperoxidase. These macronutrients, in turn, have powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. In addition, lactoferrin itself can have an anti-cancer effect, but also protect us from parasites. Of the macronutrients, colostrum contains large amounts of carbohydrates and fats. They largely provide it with a sufficient calorie content. The concentration of these ingredients is so high that the young body does not need to absorb very much of them. High concentration is the answer to this requirement. In addition, it contains growth hormones, nucleic acid derivatives, vitamins, and minerals. It contains particularly high levels of vitamins A, D, and E. Among the minerals, calcium is particularly well absorbed in this form. However, remember that colostrum is a very specific substance. Therefore, the content of individual macro- and micronutrients varies depending on the phase of lactation. Over time, it loses the amount of these components. Therefore, it is best to choose colostrum taken as soon as possible after birth.
Colostrum for children - properties and use
It should come as no surprise that colostrum has many uses for improving the condition of young children. After all, it was created for them, among other things. Colostrum has been used in various infant formulas. The lysozyme and alpha-lactalbumin it contains can bring many benefits to children. The first of these two chemical compounds works excellently as a natural immunity booster. Premature babies benefit the most, for whom strengthening their immunity is crucial. On the other hand, alpha-lactalbumin significantly contributes to rapid weight gain in malnourished children. In addition, all the substances contained in colostrum are safe for the health of young children. No side effects from its use have been shown, and most importantly, it can be administered to people with allergies, which is quite common in children. We also have good news for teenagers. Colostrum will be perfect in the fight against acne and herpes. When administered orally, it can significantly reduce seborrhea, which, in turn, prevents the formation of pimples and blackheads. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect, it perfectly relieves various irritations. Colostrum is also not a problem for herpes. In this case, healing is significantly accelerated and the blister is significantly reduced. Also worth mentioning are colostrum-containing preparations intended for direct application to the skin. It's worth noting that casein and some peptides can prevent the development of caries and demineralization of tooth enamel.
Colostrum for adults
Although colostrum is intended for children, it's not only for them that can benefit from its benefits. Both adults and the elderly will find something for themselves in it. Due to its wide variety of ingredients, this product is perfect as a remedy for many ailments.
Colostrum for immunity and more
Thanks to its content of immunoglobulins and other equally important components, colostrum is perfect for boosting immunity. It can also fight various infections. We're talking not only about viruses and bacteria, but also fungi. It is recommended for use in cases of a significant decrease in immunity. Pre-existing conditions and chemotherapy are just a few examples. It is also recommended for autoimmune diseases, those in which the body attacks its own tissues. Interesting information is flowing about the use of colostrum in the treatment of hepatitis B and C. The substances it contains successfully combat the viruses responsible for the aforementioned diseases. The same applies to the HIV virus, which causes AIDS. It is also worth noting the possible anti-cancer properties of colostrum. Lactoferrin and several other peptides it contains have been tested in this regard. It turned out that they can fight cancer cells of melanoma, fibrosarcoma, and colon cancer. This mechanism consists in the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. This simply prevents adequate vascularization, which further limits potential metastases. Colostrum can also reduce the risk of blood clots, lower blood pressure, and prevent the formation of stomach ulcers.
Colostrum and weight loss and training
Colostrum itself isn't a common weight loss aid. However, this doesn't mean it's unhelpful for active people who still want to lose weight. Rather, its action is based on supporting our actions. First of all, it's a great way to accelerate our body's recovery after exercise. This is important because without proper recovery, it will be very difficult for us to maintain optimal training intensity. Furthermore, the compounds found in colostrum stimulate muscle growth, which, when combined with physical activity, will certainly allow you to replace unnecessary fat tissue with muscle. It has also been shown that regular consumption of colostrum-containing supplements can increase the amount of IGF-1 in the blood plasma. This is important because this factor is structurally similar to insulin. Therefore, it lowers blood sugar levels, which naturally limits excessive calorie intake. It also protects the central nervous system, which is also important for athletes.
Colostrum and Alzheimer's
According to recent research, colostrum is recommended as a dietary supplement, especially for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The effect of colostrum in this case is to inhibit the deposition of beta-amyloid in the brain. This protein has an abnormal structure and is responsible for brain degeneration in this disease. But this is not the end of colostrum's positive effects on our brain. Seniors will certainly be satisfied with its operation, as it significantly slows the degeneration of this organ, thus preventing dementia and senile dementia. There's a Polish accent in it. A protein called colostrinin was discovered by Polish researchers. It has such beneficial properties. It was isolated from colostrum and is expected to be used in the future to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Colostrum - Use and contraindications
The surprise comes right from the start: colostrum actually has virtually no consumption restrictions. This product is extremely safe for our health. Of course, it's possible to overdose—like anything. In such cases, skin rashes, diarrhea, and vomiting may occur. It comes in capsule, tablet, powder, and liquid form. In any case, you should read the information on the packaging for one simple reason. The immunoglobulin content in each product can vary, so there is no universal method of administration. It all depends on the protein content.
Summary
Colostrum for now is widely recognized as a dietary supplement. However, this situation may change in the near future. This is due to its very high content of biologically active substances. Many colostrum-based medications are being developed, and this makes perfect sense. Nevertheless, it's worth reaching for preparations containing it. Because it's one of the few products that can be used by virtually everyone and is characterized by very high safety. Let's add that it's 100% natural. What more could you want?
