The thin yellowish fluid secreted by the mammary glands at the time of parturition that is rich in antibodies and minerals, and precedes the production of true milk. Also called foremilk.
[Latin.]
colostral co·los'tral (-trəl) adj.
Dictionary:
co·los·trum (kə-lŏs'trəm) ![]() |
[Latin.]
colostral co·los'tral (-trəl) adj.| 5min Related Video: colostrum |
| Food and Nutrition: colostrum |
The milk produced by mammals during the first few days after parturition; compared with mature milk, human colostrum contains more protein (2 compared with 1.3 g/100 mL); slightly less lactose (6.6 compared with 7.2 g/100 mL), considerably less fat (2.6 compared with 4.1 g/100 mL), and overall slightly less energy (56 kcal (235 kJ)/100 mL compared with 69 kcal (290 kJ). Colostrum is a valuable source of antibodies for the new-born infant. Animal colostrum is sometimes known as beestings.
| Alternative Medicine Encyclopedia: Colostrum |
Description
Colostrum is a thick yellow fluid, rich in protein, growth factors, and immune factors. It is secreted by the mammary glands of all female mammals during the first few days of lactation. It also contains essential nutrients and protease inhibitors that keep it from being destroyed by the processes of digestion. Humans produce relatively small amounts of colostrum in the first two days after giving birth, but cows produce about 9 gallons (36 L) of colostrum. Bovine colostrum can be transferred to all other mammals, and is four times richer in immune factors than human colostrum.
Although colostrum has received widespread attention as a dietary supplement only since the late 1990s, it has a lengthy history of medicinal use. Ayurvedic physicians in India have used colostrum as a treatment for thousands of years. In the United States, mainstream medical practitioners recommended colostrum as a natural antibiotic before the discovery of penilcillin and sulfa drugs. In the 1950s, colostrum was used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Dr. Albert Sabin, the researcher who developed the first oral vaccine for poliomyelitis, found that colostrum contains antibodies against polio. He recommended colostrum as a dietary supplement for children who were vulnerable to polio.
The major components of colostrum include the following substances:
General Use
Colostrum is presently used to treat a variety of diseases and disorders. Applications that have been investigated in clinical trials include the following:
Bacterial and Viral Infections
A number of recent clinical studies have shown that colostrum is effective in reversing the inflammation of the digestive tract in HIV/AIDS patients caused by opportunistic infections. The antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of colostrum enable it to kill such pathogens as E. coli, Candida albicans, rotaviruses, and Cryptosporidium.
In 1980, a British researcher showed that a large proportion of the antibodies and immunoglobulins in colostrum are not absorbed by the body but remain in the digestive tract. There they attack food- and water-borne organisms that cause disease. More recent clinical studies have demonstrated that colostrum is effective in preventing intestinal infections by first keeping the bacteria from attaching themselves to the intestinal wall, and secondly by killing the bacteria themselves. Colostrum has proved to be capable of killing Campylobacter, Helicobacter pylori, Listeria, Salmonella, Shigellosis, and five types of streptococci.
Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases
The PRP in colostrum has been demonstrated to reduce or eliminate the pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with allergies and autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myasthenia gravis). These effects are related to PRP's ability to inhibit the overproduction of lymphocytes (white blood cells) and T-cells.
Heart Disease
Recent research suggests that cardiovascular disease may be caused in part by alterations in the patient's immune system. One study indicated that 79% of patients with heart diseases had a certain type of Chlamydia (an intracellular parasite closely related to certain bacteria) associated with the formation of plaque in their arteries. The PRP in colostrum may be able to reverse heart disease in the same way it counteracts allergies and autoimmune diseases. In addition, the growth factors and growth hormone in colostrum appear to lower the blood levels of "bad" cholesterol while raising the blood levels of "good" cholesterol. These growth factors also repair damage to heart muscle and support the growth of new blood vessels in the part of the circulatory system that surrounds the heart.
Cancer
Since 1985, the cytokines contained in colostrum have been a major area of research in seeking a cure for cancer. Researchers have found that the lactoferrin in colostrum has some anti-cancer activity. In addition, the combination of immune factors and growth factors in colostrum appears to inhibit the growth of cancers.
Weight Loss
The growth factor called IgF-1 that is contained in colostrum is needed by the body in order to metabolize fat. As humans grow older, their bodies produce less IgF-1. These lower levels of growth factor are associated with a higher rate of type 2 diabetes in older adults and with increased difficulty losing weight in spite of exercise and careful attention to diet. While colostrum by itself will not cause weight loss, it appears to be a useful part of a weight reduction program because of its IgF-1 content.
Sports Medicine
The immune factors in colostrum appear to be helpful in protecting athletes from infections caused by the physical and emotional stress of competition. Using colostrum as a dietary supplement also increases the efficiency of the digestive tract for athletes in training. The intestines are able to make more nutrients available to the muscle cells and the body's vital organs. A 2002 report stated that cyclists taking 20 to 60 grams of bovine colostrums supplements per day showed significant performance improvements following a two-hour ride.
Open Wounds
The growth factors in colostrum have been found to stimulate the growth of new skin and to repair tissues damaged by ulcers, injuries, burns, surgery, or inflammation. They are able to do this through their direct action on the cells' DNA and RNA. Powdered colostrum has been used in topical preparations for gum disease, sensitive teeth, mouth ulcers, cuts, and burns.
Other
Colostrum has been used outside clinical research to treat a variety of other conditions. Satisfied individuals have reported that colostrum has successfully treated skin disorders, emphysema, baldness in males, anger outbursts,fever blisters, shingles, tendinitis, thyroid disorders, gout, insect bites, vaginal yeast infections, and anemia.
Preparations
Colostrum is presently available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, powders, and encapsulated powders. In general, the powdered forms are recommended as preferable to liquids or tablets, on the grounds that liquid colostrum has a short shelf life and the processing necessary to produce tablets destroys much of colostrum's biological activity. The recommended dose for adults with disease symptoms is 1,000–2,000 mg of powdered colostrum in capsules, taken twice daily with 8–12 oz of water. Preventive doses are left to the patient's choice. Children can be given colostrum but require less than adults.
In the United States, colostrum is taken from dairy cows within 24 hours after the birth of a calf. Only dairy cows that meet USDA health standards and have been raised on a feed supplemented with nutrients are used to supply colostrum. The calf needs four gallons of the nine that the cow produces. The remaining five gallons are collected by a USDA-certified dairy. The colostrum is frozen and kept at a temperature of 17°F (-8.3°C). After the frozen colostrum is taken to a processing plant, it is carefully thawed and evaluated for quality and immunoglobulin content. About 30% is rejected at this stage. The fat is then removed from the remaining colostrum, after which the colostrum is spray-dried at low heat. The colostrum is repeatedly tested during processing for freedom from bacterial contamination.
Precautions
Persons who are using colostrum as a dietary supplement in the United States should obtain it from a source licensed by the USDA.
Side Effects
With the exception of allergic reactions in persons who are known to be allergic to cow's milk, colostrum does not produce any major side effects at any level of consumption. Mild flu-like symptoms that disappear with continued use of colostrum have been reported in children.
Interactions
No significant drug interactions between colostrum and standard pharmaceuticals have been reported.
Resources
Periodicals
Coombes, Jeff S., et al. "Dose Effects of Oral Bovine Colostrum on Physical Work Capacity in Cyclists." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (July 2002): 1184.
Organizations
National Association of Alternative Medicines (NAAM). P. O. Box 35189, Chicago, IL 60707-0189. (708) 453-0080. Fax: (708) 453-0083.
Other
Health/Link: Alternative Health Directory. http://www.selene.com/healthlink/bovine.html.
[Article by: Rebecca Frey, Ph.D.; Teresa G. Odle]
| Sports Science and Medicine: colostrum |
The first milk secreted by the mammary glands a few days before and after birth. Colostrum is a rich source of protein (predominantly casein), carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Bovine colostrum is used as a supplement by some athletes to increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. It is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2005 Prohibited List.
| Veterinary Dictionary: colostrum |
The thick, yellow secretion present in the mammary gland in increasing amounts for several days or weeks, depending on the species, before and for about a week after parturition. It is very rich in maternal antibodies and is essential in providing passive immunity to the neonate. An adequate amount of colostrum must be ingested during the first few hours after birth while the intestinal epithelium is still permeable to the large molecules of the immunoglobulins.
Immunoglobulin levels in colostrum vary between species and are much higher than those found later in the milk. The predominant immunoglobulin in colostrum is IgG. Called also beestings.
| Wikipedia: Colostrum |
| Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (November 2009) |
Colostrum (also known colloquially as beestings,[citation needed] or first milk) is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals in late pregnancy. Most species will generate colostrum within one day of giving birth.
Contents |
Newborns have very small digestive systems, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of the baby's first stool, which is called meconium. This clears excess bilirubin, a waste product of dead red blood cells which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume reduction, from the infant's body and helps prevent jaundice. Colostrum is known to contain antibodies called immunoglobulins such as IgA, IgG and IgM in mammals. IgA is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium, travels through the blood, and is secreted onto other Type 1 mucosal surfaces. These are the major components of the adaptive immune system. Other immune components of colostrum include the major components of the innate immune system, such as lactoferrin,[1] lysozyme,[2] lactoperoxidase,[3] complement,[4] and proline-rich polypeptides (PRP).[5] A number of cytokines (small messenger peptides that control the functioning of the immune system) are found in colostrum as well,[6] including interleukins,[6] tumor necrosis factor,[7] chemokines,[8] and others. Colostrum also contains a number of growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factors I,[9] and II,[10] transforming growth factors alpha,[11] beta 1 and beta 2,[12][13] fibroblast growth factors,[14] epidermal growth factor,[15] granulocyte-macrophage-stimulating growth factor,[16] platelet-derived growth factor,[16] vascular endothelial growth factor,[17] and colony-stimulating factor-1.[18]
Chemically, colostrum is very rich in proteins, vitamin A, and sodium chloride, but contains lower amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, and potassium than normal milk. The most pertinent bioactive components in colostrum are growth factors and antimicrobial factors. The antibodies in colostrum provide passive immunity while growth factors stimulate the development of the gut. They are passed to the neonate and provide the first protection against pathogens. The passive immunity from the mother gets transferred to the newborn.[19]
Livestock breeders commonly bank colostrum from their animals. Colostrum produced on a breeder's own premises is considered to be superior to colostrum from other sources, because it is produced by animals already exposed to (and thus making antibodies to) pathogens occurring on the premises. A German study reported that multiparous mares produced on average a liter (quart) of colostrum containing 70 grams of IgG.[20]
Bovine colostrum is produced by cows for their newborn calves. In many dairy cow herds the calves are not permitted to nurse, rather they are fed colostrum and later milk from a bottle then a bucket.
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Bovine colostrum and its components are safe for human consumption, except in the context of intolerance or allergy to lactose or other components. It shows promise in the treatment or prevention of a variety of disease states.[21][22][23]
Bovine colostrum from pasture-fed cows contains immunoglobulins specific to many human pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Cryptosporidium parvum, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella, Staphylococcus,[24] and rotavirus (which causes diarrhea in infants). In fact, alongside pharmaceutical antiviral treatments such as aciclovir, colostrum is one of the few treatment modalities available that is effective against viruses,[citation needed] as antibiotics are not, and there are few and infrequent side effects from its use.[citation needed] Before the development of antibiotics, colostrum was the main source of immunoglobulins used to fight infections. In fact, when Albert Sabin made his first oral vaccine against polio, the immunoglobulin he used came from bovine colostrum.[25] When antibiotics began to appear, interest in colostrum waned, but now that antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogens have developed, interest is once again returning to natural alternatives to antibiotics, namely, colostrum.[26]
A single study showed protective effects against influenza.[27]
Some athletes have used colostrum in an attempt to improve their performance,[28] decrease recovery time,[29] and prevent sickness during peak performance levels.[30] Using colostrum supplementation, the Australian Olympic swim team won more gold medals than China in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic games.[31] Research fails to show a conclusive effect of colostrum on lean body mass.[28][32]
IGF-1 in colostrum promotes weight loss as it is needed by the body to metabolize fat.[citation needed] As our bodies age, they produce less IGF-1,[citation needed] which makes it more difficult to lose weight.[citation needed] Low IGF-1 levels may be associated with dementia in the very elderly, although causation has not been established.[33] People with eating disorders also have low levels of IGF-1 due to malnutition,[34] as do obese individuals.[35] Supplementation with colostrum, which is rich in IGF-1, can be a useful part of a weight reduction program.[citation needed] Although IGF-1 is not absorbed intact by the body, it does stimulate the production of IGF-1 when taken as a supplement.[36]
Colostrum also has antioxidant components, such as lactoferrin[37] and hemopexin, which binds free heme in the body.[38]
Hyperimmune colostrum was an early attempt to boost the effectiveness of natural bovine colostrum by immunizing cows with a specific pathogen and then collecting the colostrum after the cow gave birth. This initially appeared very promising as antibodies did appear towards the specific pathogens or antigens that were used in the original challenge. However, upon closer examination and comparison, it was found that IgG levels in natural colostrum towards 19 specific human pathogens were just as high as in hyperimmune colostrum, and natural colostrum nearly always had higher antibody titers than did the hyperimmune version.[24] Therefore the usefulness of hyperimmune colostrum is questionable.
| This section needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (November 2009) |
These small peptide immune signaling peptides were independently discovered in colostrum and other sources, such as blood plasma, in the United States,[39] and Poland.[40] Hence they appear under various names in the literature, including transfer factor, colostrinin(e), and PRP. They function as signal transducing molecules which have the unique effect of modulating the immune system, turning it up when the body comes under attack from pathogens or other disease agents, and damping it when the danger is eliminated or neutralized.[41] At first thought to actually transfer immunity from one immune system to another, it now appears that PRP simply stimulates cell-mediated immunity.[42]
PRP-rich preparations from bovine colostrum have shown some activity against various diseases including viral infections[43] of herpes viruses[44] and HIV,[45] as well as difficult to treat bacterial and fungal infections like Mycobacterium fortuitum[46] and Mycobacterium tuberculosis[47] (cause of tuberculosis), cryptosporidosis in AIDS patients,[48] and candida.[49] Also for various forms of cancer, such as Hodgkin's disease,[50] osteogenic sarcoma,[51] prostate cancer,[52] and others. As an immune modulator, PRP is also effective in disease states characterized by an overactive immune system, such as allergies,[53][54] asthma,[55] and autoimmune diseases.[56]
PRP has some effect in Alzheimer's disease,[57] but has not yet shown longterm disease retarding effect.[58] There is one report of use in patients with intractable epilepsy.[59]
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