What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the pre-milk liquid that mothers produce at birth. It is full of immune-enhancing antibodies, other important immune factors, and essential growth factors to ensure health and vitality for adults and children.

Our decision to stock Colostrum was made as a result one our candida customers telling us how Colostrum had cured her irritable bowel, bloating and wind. Her exact words were "I couldnt beleive it". This was no doubt due the effects this product has on healing Leaky Gut. What Colostrum is better known for however is its rather paradoxical reputation both for stimulating an underactive immune system, or calming an overactive immune system.

Colostrum has been assayed to show presence of a variety of health and immune promoting factors, cytokine inducers, and proteins. The immune factors contained in colostrum known as PRP (Proline-rich Polypeptide) can actually curtail an overactive immune response contributing to the rebuilding of healthy tissue. Colostrum is the first food mothers produce for newborns. It is packed with antibodies and immune factors that are necessary to protect infants and to promote healthy tissue growth. Chemistry finds that bovine colostrum contains the same antibodies and immune factors as human colostrum, making it easy to capture and distribute this life-giving food.

Possible results include : -

Our Colostrum Plus

Our source of colostrum is an American source which is which is of a similar high quality such as we hear about colostrum coming from New Zealand and other places in the world. Care is taken in processing, testing, making sure their cows are organically fed, as so on. There isn't any extraction process per se. The colostrum comes straight from the sterilized udder within the first few hours after new calves are fed. Milk comes in at a later time. Colostrum is not milk. No animals are killed in the process. Every batch is tested and declared free of harmful hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. The fat is not removed, since that contributes significantly to the effectiveness of the immuno or "transfer factors" (those elements that convey immunity and life-long protection to the offspring) provided by the colostrum. There are many more immuno factors available in bovine (cow) colostrum than in mother's milk, and it is entirely compatible with the human being. There is a small amount of lactose in colostrum (around 15%) which may or may not be enough to affect people who are lactose intolerant. Those individuals can take the enzyme lactase if they want the benefits of colostrum anyway, which are enormous.

What makes colostrum so beneficial?

There are over 90 known components in colostrum. The primary components, divided into two classes, are immune factors and growth factors. Colostrum also contains a precise balance of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. All of these factors work together in perfect synergy to restore and maintain health.

Colostrum's Immune Factors :

Immune Factors in colostrum have been shown to help the body fight off harmful invaders such as viruses, bacteria, yeast and fungus. Each factor plays a specific role in our bodys defense against these attackers. In addition, colostrum contains over 20 antibodies to specific pathogens including E coli, salmonella, rotavirus, candida, streptococcus, staphylococcus, H pylori, and cryptosporidia.
In addition to immunoglobulins, medical studies show that PRP in colostrum also supports an under active immune system. PRP also helps balance an overactive immune system present in autoimmune diseases.

Colostrum's Growth Factors :

Growth Factors help build and restore bone, muscle, nerve tissue, connective tissue, skin and cartilage. These factors have also been shown to help increase lean muscle, help the body burn fat for fuel, and assist in wound healing. Growth factors have also been shown to help slow the signs of aging! Colostrum's growth factors may:

1) Affect the brain's mood regulating chemicals to brighten our moods. (serotonin & dopamine)
2) Assist in regeneration and improve normal growth of aged or injured muscle, bone, cartilage, skin collagen and nerve tissue.
3) Help burn fat for fuel instead of muscle tissue in times of fasting (diet), and build & retain lean muscle (non-diet).
4) Assist the internal regulation of blood glucose levels and "brain chemicals", supporting alertness and better concentration.
5) Support healing skin when applied topically
6) Repair our body\'s precious RNA and DNA.

Other Beneficial Components :

Vitamins and Minerals are nutrients that are essential for normal metabolism, growth and development. They act as coenzymes, enabling chemical process to take place throughout the body. Vitamins and minerals are indispensable for the maintenance of health.
Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are required for growth and development. Amino acids are divided into essential (not produced by the body) and nonessential (can be produced by the body).

Known Components of Colostrum

i) Immune Factors - Immunoglobulins: - Antibodies

IgG - Neutralizes toxins and other invaders; including viruses and bacteria
IgM - Destroys bacteria, controls antibody response
IgD - Antiviral, prevents hemolytic disease in infants
IgE - Involved in regulating allergic response
IgA - Highly antiviral and antibacterial, prevents infection
Secretory IgA (SigA) - Found in mucous membranes, helps protect against infection
IgA Specific Helper - Stimulates the production of IgA
Lactoferrin - Powerful antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
Lactoferrin-Fe - Iron chelator
Transferrin - Binds and transports iron
Glycoproteins: - (Including Protease and Trypsin Inhibitors) Protect components from destruction by stomach acids
Lactalbumin - Raises brain serotonin levels, improves mood under stress
Multimeric a-Lactalbumin - Shown to cause lung cancer cells to create selective suicide (apoptopsis)
Cytokines - (Including Interleukins, Interferon Y, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), and Lymphokines) Antiviral, anti-tumor (stimulates death of some tumors), increase T-cell activity, responsible for regulation and intensity of immune response, stimulate production of immunoglobulins
Proline-Rich Polypeptide (PRP) - Regulates the activity of the immune system
Lysozymes - Help protect body from bacterial infection, topical antibiotic
Gamma Globulin - Resists infection
B Lactoglobulin - Antibody, protein
Complement 3 & 4 (C3 & C4) - Proteins that activate the complement of the immune system
Kappa Casein - Glycoprotein that protects against the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers
Alpha 2-AP glycoprotein
Alpha 1- antitrypsin - Inhibitor of trypsin
Alpha 2- macroglobulin - Function as hormonal transporters
Orosomucoids - Alpha-1 protein in plasma
Prealbumin - Precursor to albumin
Albumin - Contains essential amino acids
Oligosaccharides - Complex carbohydrates, help prevent lung inflammations and ear infection
Non Specific Inhibitors (NSI\'s) - Factors that inhibit a wide range of respiratory illness

ii) Growth Factors

Epithelial Growth Factor (EGF) - Helps protect and maintain the skin
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) - Enhances wound healing and tissue repair
Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) - Increases lean muscle mass, helps repair DNA and RNA, anti-aging, may regulate blood-sugar and cholesterol levels
Insulin-like Growth Factor II (IGF-II) - Affects how the body uses fat and protein
Growth Hormone (GH) - Regulates growth, decreases signs of aging
Transforming Growth Factor - a (TGF- a) - Assists in formation and healing of connective tissue, bone and cartilage
Transforming Growth Factor - b (TGF - b) - Helps repair tissue, supports growth of the lining of the gut. Shown to produce cell destruction in certain human cancers.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) - Stimulates growth of connective tissue, plays a role in wound healing and helps with cell division and neuron survival and regeneration
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) - Stimulates release of follicle-stimulating hormone, gonadotropic substances and treats endometriosis
Prolactin - Similar to Growth Hormone
Insulin - Responsible for proper metabolism of blood sugar
Sulfur - An important building block of proteins

iii) Vitamins and Other Nutrients

Vitamin B6 - Produces serotonin, utilization of amino acids
Vitamin B12 - Normal development of red blood cells
Vitamin E - Antioxidant, supports wound healing and immune function
Vitamin A (from carotene) - Resistance to infections, maintains cell integrity
Vitamin C - Antioxidant, immune system support
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) - Metabolism of carbohydrates, energy
Folic Acid - Cell replication and tissue growth
Pantothenic Acid - Metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - Energy production, tissue repair, healthy eyes
Beta-carotene - Antioxidant
Glycoconjugates - Carbohydrates that link to lipids and proteins
Glycogen - Converts into glucose when needed by tissues
Retinoic Acid - Metabolite of Vitamin A, used in treatment of acne

iv) Minerals

Calcium - Maintains strong, healthy bones, activates enzymes
Chromium - Glucose metabolism disorders, body fat reduction
Iron - Oxygen transport and storage, energy, immune support
Magnesium - Muscle relaxation, assists with psychiatric disorders
Phosphorus - Strengthens bones and teeth
Potassium - Lowers blood pressure, maintains fluid balance in cells
Sodium - Cell membrane integrity, plays important role in nerve function
Zinc - Synthesis of DNA and RNA, activates Vitamin A

v) Essential Amino Acids

Isoleucine - Assists in muscle development & repair, helps regulate blood sugar
Leucine - Involved in muscle repair, wound healing and hormone production
Histidine - Involved in growth and tissue repair
Methionine - Antioxidant, collagen synthesis, helps prevent arterial fat buildup
Lysine - Aids in calcium absorption, helps regulate antibody and enzyme production
Threonine - Stimulates antibody production
Phenylalanine - Assists neurotransmitter function, increases \"feel good\" chemicals in brain
Valine - Regulates energy, aids growth and repair of muscle tissue
Tryptophan - Stimulates niacin production, precursor for serotonin
Nonessential Amino Acids
Arginine - Stimulates GH, immune function, promotes wound healing and muscle growth
Cystine - An antioxidant involved in collagen synthesis
Glutanic Acid - Helps transport potassium to the brain, implicated in neurological conditions
Alanine - Involved in glucose metabolism
Tyrosine - Regulate mood, may improve memory, appetite suppressant
Glycine - Helps decrease muscle wasting, aids in glycogen storage
Proline - Aids in wound healing and collagen synthesis
Aspartic Acid - Helps synthesis of DNA, RNA, Ig and antibodies, involved in energy metabolism
Serine - Involved in fat metabolism and muscle growth, noted moisturizer

vi ) Additional Factors Found in Colostrum

Beta 2- microglobulin - Components of many cell membranes including leukocytes
Enzymes - Induce chemical changes in the body
Haemopexin - Iron-binding protein
Haptoglobulin - Glycoproteins that aid the recycling of iron
Lactoperoxidase - An antioxidant
Orotic Acid - Precursor to certain nucleotides
Peroxidase - Transfers oxygen to tissues, helps prevent free radical damage
Xanthine Oxidase Enzyme - Enzyme involved in conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine
Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus Bifidus - Help restore a supportive bacterial environment in the body.

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to imply or make any claims of any kind.