How can Colostrum help to improve your Health
2. Anti-inflammatory
According to an article in the Medical Post (Colostrum Cuts NSAID's GI Problems," September 8, 1998), bovine colostrum may work to protect the GI tract from non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS's). In a study at Leicester University, changes in gut permeability were assessed in six healthy males before and after taking the NSAID indomethacin with and with out colostrum. Colostrum was taken with meals as a liquid supplement two days before starting the NSAID and throughout the five days of taking the drug. Gut permeability was assessed using a five-hour urinary lactulose-rhamnose (L/R) ratio. At the end of five days, this ration increased 300% for those who didn't take colostrum, but only 20% for those taking it.
3. HIV/AIDS
The interaction of foreign materials (like viruses, bacterial and fungi) with the GI component of the immune system leads to the production of about 75% of the antibodies in the human system. The ability of AIDS/HIV patients to fight infectious disease is severely compromised, partially due to damage to the gut from chronic inflammation and diarrhea. Several recent studies show colostrum to be helpful with this chronic problem. For example, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "immunoglobulin from bovine colostrum effectively reduces and prevents viral and bacterial infections in immune deficient subjects: Bone marrow recipients, premature babies, AIDS etc."
4. Heart Disease
Theoretically, colostrum could be effective in the treatment and prevention of heart disease for two reasons. First, the growth factors in colostrum may help regenerate heart muscle. Second, recent medical research indicates that infectious disease agents may be associated with several chronic disorders, including heart disease. A study conducted by the University of Utah School of Medicine shows strong evidence that the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae may be a major factor in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. In fact, researchers at the University believe that this bacterium may be responsible for as much as 50% of all serious heart disease. Consequently, colostrum's immune boosting, disease-fighting components could help those susceptible to heart disease.
5. Cancer
Steven Rosenberg's 1985 book, Quiet Strides in the War on Cancer, first popularized the benefits of cytokines in the treatment of cancer. Since then, the same cytokines found in colostrum (interleukins-1,-6 and -10, interferon gamma and lymphokines) have been the single most researched factors in cancer research. Lactalbumin, also found in colostrum, has been found to cause the selective death of cancer cells, leaving the surrounding non-cancerous tissues unaffected. And finally, Lactoferrin has similarly been reported to possess anti-cancer activity. And, as in heart disease, if viruses are responsible for either the initiation or the spread of cancer, colostrum could be one additional way to prevent the disease.
6. Diabetes
Juvenile diabetes (Type I, insulin dependent) is thought by some researchers to result from an autoimmune mechanism, possibly initiated by an allergic reaction to the protein GAD found in cows' milk. Colostrum contains several factors that can offset this and other allergies. Colostrum IgE-1 can bind to both the insulin and IGF-I receptors found in all cells. Moreover, human trials in 1990 reported that IGF-I stimulates glucose utilization, assisting in the prevention of acute hypoglycemia and lessening a Type II diabetic's dependence on insulin.
7. Osteoporosis
Osteoclasts are cells that degrade bone structure during the normal bone turnover and renewal process. Osteoblasts, on the other hand, are the bone building cells in that process. As we age, the number of osteoblasts decreases and osteoclasts increase. This is especially true for postmenopausal women. This change creates the porosity and loss of bone strength called osteoporosis. A study reported in Natural Medicine shows that TGF-B, which is found in colostrum, is naturally produced by the osteoblasts. This study also showed that TGF-B dramatically increased the osteoblast to osteoclast ratio, thus indicating that TGF-B could help to slow - possibly even prevent - the development of osteoporosis. Colostrum is the only readily available natural source of TGF-B. In addition, IGF-I increases tissue repair in both muscle and connective tissue.
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