Immunity: rediscover the benefits of colostrum, the first form of mother’s milk

What exactly is colostrum?

The first milk produced after childbirth

Colostrum is the first milk produced by female mammals at the end of gestation, just after delivery.

This thick fluid, rich in protein and antibodies, offers multiple benefits for the infant. Because of its unique properties and orangey-yellow colour, it is sometimes referred to as ‘golden milk’ or ‘liquid gold’.

A ‘golden milk’ produced for a very short time

This first milk is only available to human new-borns for 24-48 hours after birth. A mother usually produces 50 ml of colostrum during the first day of her baby’s life.

She will subsequently start to lactate and the colostrum will be replaced by ‘normal’ breast milk.

What benefits does this first form of mother’s milk offer?

Colostrum fights infections (viruses, bacteria...)

A powerful anti-infective, colostrum primarily protects the new-born from surrounding germs. In fact, around two-thirds of colostrum cells are white blood cells. (1) These leukocytes produce antibodies responsible for neutralising any viruses and bacteria the baby encounters.

It participates in immune system development

These antibodies or actually immunoglobulins - IgG, IgM and IgA. They will be used for developing the baby’s as yet immature immune system. The type of antibodies present in colostrum depends, understandably, on the infectious agents to which the mother has been exposed during her life.

This first milk helps develop intestinal flora

Colostrum is also ideally suited to the baby’s young digestive system and small stomach. Rich in ‘good’ Lactobacillus bifidus bacteria, it plays an active role in developing a healthy gut microbiota. It also improves digestive function as a whole. (2)

An antioxidant substance rich in vitamins and mineral salts

In addition, this ‘golden milk’ has antioxidant properties (3). And to top it all, it also contains:

• fatty acids, in particular, long-chain fatty acids;
• vitamins (including vitamin A which is important for healthy vision, skin and immune defences) (4-5) ;
• andminerals (magnesium which is good for the cardiovascular system and bones, zinc and copper which help improve immunity, etc.) (6)

Colostrum is thus a veritable treasure trove of nutrients and energy. It’s worth noting that normal breast milk contains more sugar, calories and fat, since it’s primarily designed to ensure the baby grows and gains weight.

Colostrum also helps heal the mother’s nipples

To begin with, breastfeeding may cause the mother’s nipples to bleed. Fortunately, colostrum also has powerful healing properties, which are perfect for helping cracked nipples to heal. It’s no exaggeration to say that colostrum boasts an extraordinarily diverse range of powers ...

How can we rediscover these benefits in adulthood?

Nutritionally-rich bovine colostrum

In cattle farming, colostrum is the first milk produced by cows after they have calved. This first milk from dairy cows is in fact particularly rich in protein (14% compared with 3.2 % in ordinary cow’s milk) and antibodies (6%).

Liquid gold available in supplement form

This highly beneficial colostrum is also suitable for human ingestion. Indeed, in Eastern Europe, it has long been consumed in its natural state to promote strong immunity.

Nowadays, for reasons of health and practicality, bovine colostrum is normally dehydrated and converted into powder and mostly taken in supplement form.

What benefits does a bovine colostrum supplement offer?

Super-versatile immunostimulant

Bovine colostrum supplements enable adults to rediscover the many benefits they enjoyed as new-born babies … but that’s not all.

Bovine colostrum is actually packed with:

• immunoglobulins - IgG, IgA, IgM, Ige and IgD, proteins that are highly effective against pathogens;
• cytokines, key immune response mediators;
• lactoferrin, a glycoprotein that ‘traps’ iron thus depriving bacteria of their preferred source of food;
• IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor), a peptide hormone that helps increase muscle mass in adults;
• lactalbumin, a protein rich in essential amino acids ...

Bovine colostrum fights respiratory diseases and influenza

Numerous scientific studies have shown that bovine colostrum is able to stimulate immune defences in humans. One such study in 2015 stated that humans benefit from the many antimicrobial and pro-immunity properties of this extraordinary health food (7).

In addition, several studies have shown that bovine colostrum supplementation helps to fight infections of the upper respiratory tract. (8-9) One Italian study showed that taking colostrum (for a period of two months) helped prevent flu and its complications more effectively than vaccination. (10)

It also supports gastrointestinal health

Bovine immunoglobulins have also been shown to prevent infections of the gastrointestinal tract(11). Indeed, in their conclusion, the authors of one study encouraged the use of colostrum-based supplements to combat gastrointestinal problems(12).

Extraordinarily rich in vitamins and minerals

Like its human counterpart, bovine colostrum is rich in nutrients and trace-elements. In particular, it contains:

• vitamins A, B2, B9, B12, D3...
• minerals (magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium) essential for, amongst others, metabolism and bone health (13-15)

Which colostrum supplement should you choose?

A supplement with a high concentration of immunoglobulins

Are you looking for a completely natural substance to help boost your immune defences? When it comes to bovine colostrum, we’d strongly recommend the supplement Colostrum. Standardised to 30% IgG immunoglobulins, this nutritional supplement’s high content of antibodies, vitamins and minerals is guaranteed to deliver satisfaction. You’ll find it invaluable for boosting your immunity.

Lactoferrin: an active ingredient in colostrum

If you want to focus on a particular component of colostrum, we’d steer you towards lactoferrin, one of the most active compounds in bovine colostrum. As mentioned previously, this compound is able to bind to iron and in so doing, it deprives bacteria and corrupted cells of a crucial source of energy. You’ll find this excellent anti-infective in the supplement Lactoferrin.

Two synergistic supplements: essential oils and wild mushroom

Whether you opt for Colostrum or Lactoferrin, we’d also suggest two other supplements that can be taken at the same tim:

• Defense Mix, an impressive blend of anti-microbial essential oils (oregano, peppermint, cinnamon and lemon);
• and Organic Turkey Tail, an organic wild mushroom extract that stimulates immunity. So called because of its fanned-out shape and distinctive colouring, this mushroom is rich in PSP and PSK polysaccharides. It is widely used in Asia for its immunostimulant effects and as an adjunct treatment in cancer therapy.

Both these supplements will also be effective at helping to stimulate your immune system.