August 2000 - Nr. 8

The skinny on:

Colostrum

Colostrum is literarily the "First Food" that a newborn baby gets from its mother. It is what the mother’s breast provides during the first 24 – 48 hours after birth and before actual lactation sets in. Colostrum jump-starts about 50 biological functions in the newborn and the immunoglobulin fraction is responsible for instilling passive immunity to the offspring, primarily to infections frequently or recently encountered by the mother. This is an exceptional benefit for the newborn whose immune system may not function adequately for several moths or years (depending on the species). It also provides all the antibodies that the mother has acquired during her life to protect the baby from some of the infections, bacteria and other pathogens it may encounter in its young life. It provides the vital nutrients and antibodies it needs right after birth.

That is one of the main reasons for breast-feeding the infant in the first days of its life and up to or over the next 6 months. Additional nutrients are provided to the infant during that time. It is of the utmost importance and has proven to be a lifesaver in many instances.

Breast-fed babies have fewer infections, diseases and other ailments – not only as infants, but also later in life.

Bovine colostrum is taken from the cow – usually after the second calving, and in the first 24 hours – when it is its most active. The cow produces about 9 gallons of colostrum, enough for two calves. Since there is usually only one calf, which requires about 4.5 to 5 gallons, the rest is available to us. This colostrum is not milk! It does not contain lactose or casein – to which some people are intolerant – but is pure colostrum for the first 24 – 72 hours after birth. (24 to 48 hours for humans - see above) The animals from which the colostrum is harvested are cows that have not been subjected to growth hormones or antibiotics etc. to alleviate any danger of passing these impurities on to humans.

Colostrum is processed at low temperatures to prevent damage to the active ingredients. It should be available as a powder since even the pressing of tablets raises the temperature to the point where damage to some of the active components may occur. Some manufacturers claim that their colostrum tablets are "cold-pressed", but the jury is still out on that claim.

All this is fine for the baby. But why should adults take colostrum?

Without proper nutrition and regulatory support, any system will become erratic in function, whether it is hyper- or hypoactive (overactive or non-active). Colostrum and all its components such as lactoferrin, lactins, lactoperoxidase and approximately 50 other proteins are associated with the immuno-regulating process of the immune system.

Since these proteins are nutritional and regulatory substances for the immune system, the are intended to be ingested orally, starting a process of neurological stimulation and physiological responses such as the salivatory process producing enzymes, buffers and other preparatory digestive secretions including the mechanical process of mastication or chewing.

Regardless of age, newborn up to adult, the same process is required for proper presentation of nutritional and supportive substances whether it be the gastrointestinal process or the immunological process – they all need nourishment. And one of the best ways to provide this nourishment is through colostrum. That is why – thanks to the advances of biotechnology in the last decade – it has been reintroduced to the world as a potent growth supplement and immune modulator. Of course as adults we have stopped growing. Now these active components take care of cell-revitalization and reconstruction - plus modulation of the immune system.

Much research was devoted to colostrum at the end of the nineteenth century and continued until just after WW II, stopping with the advent of sulpha drugs and antibiotics such as penicillin, in the heydays of chemical medicine.

The components of Colostrum include the potent growth supplements and immune modulators as follows:

Immune Modulators:

• Specific proteins which convey passive immunity: IgF, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE
• Non-specific proteins or immunoregulators: Lactoferrin, antibacterial & antiviral, Lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate, plus Peroxidase and Xanthine Oxidase Enzymes. Antimicrobial activity
• In addition: Lysozyme, Lactalbumin, Glycoprotins and Trypsin Inhibitors, Prolinerich Polypeptide (very important PRP), Orotic Acid, Oligo Polysaccharides and Glycoconjugates, Leucocytes, Citokines, Interlukin-10 (one of the Cytokines), N-ACETYL-D-GLUCOSAMINDASE and Retinoic acids

Growth Supplements:

• Growth Hormone (GH)
• Insuline-like Growth Factors (IgF-1)
• Epidermal Growth Factors (EgF)
• Transforming Growth Factors (TgFA, TgFB)
• Fibroblast Growth Factors (FgF)
• Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) and its associated peptide (GAP)
• Neurotrophic Growth Factors (NgF)

One might reasonably ask how the body absorbs these complex protein macromolecules intact and active, without denaturing them like steak? Herein lies the real allure of colostrum. The third colostral fraction contains a putative permeability factor, which provides wholesale transport of large molecules. Possibly there exists a form of anti-protease activity, which prevents net colostrum degradation.

Though how the large immunoglobulins and enzymes actually enter the bloodstream is yet a mystery, it is well known that the peptide factors are absorbed intact independent of transport assistance. Why, of course these molecules get in. Would mammals go to the trouble of producing and excreting such precious biochemical’s as are found in colostrum for nothing?

Colostrum has been used in over 50 maladies – mostly attributed to compromised immune systems. Here are some of the most commonly recognized: AIDS – Allergies – Alzheimer’s – Anaemia – Arthritis – Asthma – Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) – Autism – Bacterial infections – Brain injury – Cancer – Chicken pox – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Colitis – Cystic Fibrosis – Depression – Diabetes – Diverticulitis – Emphysema – Fibromyalgia – Gout – Hay fever – Hepatitis – Herpes – HIV – Lupus – Multiple Sclerosis – Myasthenia Gravis – Ocular disturbances – Pernicious Anaemia – Rheumatic Fever – Stroke – Viral- & Yeast infections and more.

Of course this wonderful colostrum is not the panacea and cure-all for all that ails you if you neglect the rest of your nutrition and supplementation. Since we do no longer get all the required nutrients in the food we eat and are subjected to an ever-increasing amount of pollutions of all kinds that compromise and overwhelm our immune system, and load us up with toxins and heavy metals etc. it is very important to educate ourselves as to what nutrients, supplements, minerals, vitamins and trace minerals are required (and available) to enable us to function properly and to age gracefully without a myriad of debilitating diseases.

The Internet is a very valuable source of all the information required to facilitate this aspect of your health. Try it, you might like it.

r.k.a.

 

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